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BOOK REVIEWS
The University Of Gravel Roads
Rene Cormier 2011 ISBN 978-0-981-33711-1
The University of Gravel Roads is an evocative and inspiring travel memoir that chronicles Rene Cormier’ s remarkable four-year solo motorcycle journey around the world.
At age 33, Cormier walked away from his conventional working life, sold his possessions, and set off with little more than a motorcycle, a rough plan, and a deep sense of curiosity about the world beyond the familiar. What was meant to be a three-year adventure became a five-year odyssey covering 41 countries and approximately 154,000 kilometres, taking him from the Americas through Africa and across Asia.
Cormier’ s writing captures the spirit of adventure with a refreshing blend of honesty, enthusiasm, and introspection. He doesn’ t romanticise his journey; instead, he presents it with cultural insight and practical reflection, acknowledging both the hardships and the profound rewards that come from immersing oneself in unfamiliar landscapes and cultures. The narrative is not just about the physical act of riding long distances, but about the transformation that happens when one sheds familiar routines and opens up to new experiences, people, and environments.
One of the most compelling aspects of Cormier’ s account is how he balances logistical detail with human connection. He writes about the mechanics of travel— the rough roads, the unpredictable weather, the challenges of budgeting and planning— with the same care he brings to describing the friendships formed along the way, the generosity of strangers, and the small lessons learned through daily encounters. This blend of travel logistics and cultural narrative gives The University of Gravel Roads a grounded, authentic feel that makes it accessible to seasoned adventurers and armchair travellers alike.
What sets this memoir apart from many other travelogues is its emphasis on personal growth and perspective. Cormier’ s reflections reveal a traveller who is continuously learning— not only about the world, but about himself. His experiences in places
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like Mongolia, with its vast open spaces and stark beauty, emerge as highlights not simply for their physical majesty, but for how they challenged his assumptions and reshaped his understanding of what it means to live fully.
Despite its many strengths, the book isn’ t perfect for every reader. The narrative occasionally moves quickly through chapters, particularly later in the journey, which some might find leaves them wanting more depth in certain places. However, this brisk pace also mirrors the expansive scope of the adventure, and for many readers it becomes part of the book’ s charm.
In the end, this book is more than a travelogue; it’ s an invitation to reflect on what it means to take risks, embrace uncertainty, and find joy in the unplanned. Cormier’ s journey reminds us that the lessons learned on gravel roads— those unpaved paths that wind through the world’ s most diverse places— often stay with us long after the ride has ended, shaping the way we see ourselves and the world.