Bikers' Bookshelf

Mike Waterman was a newly ordained MBA graduate late in 2001. The terrorist attacks of 9/11 messed up the economy and ruined the once lucrative job market. With zero employment prospects on the horizon and saddled with $60,000 in student loan debt, Mike did what anyone else in his situation would do…he ran away. With mere scraps of money to his name and along with his friend Jason O’Brien, the two pointed their ill equipped and ill prepared motorcycles – and ill advised selves south from the state of Arizona into Mexico.

This is the ultimate armchair travel book. You will see, hear, feel, and smell the good, the bad, and the ugly, without having to live it. In a near complete mosaic of all that can and will happen on a 70 day romp through Mexico (and parts of Guatemala), does. Run-ins with the cops, dueling doped out locals, persevering mechanical breakdowns, combating temporary destitution, wandering into adult clubs, and sampling some of the best beer in North America…all, that at the end of the day, turned into an unforgettable trip of a lifetime.

“Behind Bars is like listening to your good friend tell ‘slice of life’ stories in a small party setting. You feel that you are living in Mike’s shoes the entire trip, and are privileged to share the travel adventure, even though some parts make you blush… !” Jo Gordon. The Arizona Bologna