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Breaking the Limit: One Woman's Motorcycle Journey Through North America

karen larsen

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Breaking the Limit is one woman's account of riding her motorcycle from New Jersey to Alaska and back. Realizing that years of work and travel in other people's countries made her a stranger in her own, and with an invitation to meet her biological father for the first time, Karen Larsen set out on a fifteen-thousand-mile trip with nothing but her motorcycle and the barest of essentials.

Larsen's journey tests the limits of her own endurance, challenges her long-held beliefs and values, and asks what it means to belong to a family. Through the the fields of Iowa and the deserts of the Southwest, over the Rockies and across Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, Larsen confronts questions of femininity, family, independence, and personal identity.

Her journey speaks to the immense space and over-whelming beauty of North America, as well as to the diversity and vitality of the people she meets along the way. Breaking the Limit invites you to join her as she braces against the wind, trades security for freedom, sacrifices stability for motion, and opens herself up to the vast canopy of a continent.

384 pages, Hardcover

First published July 7,2004

This edition

Format
384 pages, Hardcover
Published
July 7, 2004 by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN
9780786868704
ASIN
0786868708
Language
English

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About the author

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karen larsen

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 20 votes)
5 stars
8(40%)
4 stars
6(30%)
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6(30%)
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0(0%)
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20 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
R_I_N_G_O_o_O
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I did not want this book to end.

From the moment I picked it up, I was completely captivated by its story and characters. The author's writing style was so engaging that I found myself completely immersed in the world they had created.

Every page turn brought new excitement and anticipation, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. The characters were so well-developed that I felt like I knew them personally, and I cared deeply about their fates.

As I neared the end of the book, I began to feel a sense of sadness and loss. I didn't want to say goodbye to these characters and the world they inhabited. I wanted to keep reading and exploring their story forever.

Even though the book has now ended, it will stay with me for a long time. It has become one of my favorite reads, and I will recommend it to anyone who loves a good story.
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MorgansGFX
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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**Original Article**: This is a great achievement. It shows the hard work and dedication of the team. We should all be proud.

**Expanded Article**:

This is truly a remarkable achievement. It vividly showcases the arduous efforts and unwavering dedication of the entire team. Each and every member has poured their heart and soul into this project, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of excellence. The result is a testament to their collective skills, perseverance, and determination. We should all feel an immense sense of pride in what has been accomplished. It is not just a victory for the team, but a source of inspiration for all those who strive for greatness. Let us celebrate this momentous occasion and look forward to many more outstanding achievements in the future.

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Wallanimx
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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It's not a great travel read.

However, I did manage to discover some value within the motorcycle information it provided.

The details about motorcycles were quite interesting and offered a unique perspective.

Although the overall travel narrative might not have been captivating, the insights into the world of motorcycles made it worth the read to a certain extent.

One could argue that for those with a passion for motorcycles, this aspect of the book might be the highlight.

It could potentially inspire them to embark on their own motorcycle adventures or simply deepen their knowledge and appreciation of these machines.

While it may not be a must-read for every traveler, it does have its merits for a specific niche audience.

So, despite its shortcomings as a travel read, the motorcycle info gives it a certain charm and appeal.

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Wotakunai
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Scary as it seems, I also think this would be fun.

Most women wouldn't ever do what she did. And I'm probably one of them. But she did it and successfully.

I thought it was a wonderful adventure. It takes a great deal of courage and determination to embark on such a journey.

The unknown can be terrifying, but she faced it head-on and came out victorious.

Maybe it's because she has a different mindset than most of us.

She doesn't let fear hold her back from trying new things.

I admire her for that.

Although I may not have the guts to do what she did, I can still be inspired by her actions.

It makes me think that maybe I should step out of my comfort zone more often and take on some challenges.

Who knows what kind of amazing experiences I might have?

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nij1030
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I had the opportunity to interview the author.

During the interview, the author shared some interesting insights into their writing process. They revealed that they often draw inspiration from their own experiences and the people around them.

The author also talked about the challenges they face while writing. One of the main difficulties is finding the right words to express their thoughts and emotions accurately.

Despite these challenges, the author remains passionate about writing and is constantly striving to improve their skills. They believe that writing is a form of self-expression and a way to connect with others.

When asked about their future plans, the author said that they are currently working on a new project and hope to share it with the world soon.

Overall, the interview was a great experience and I gained a better understanding of the author's work and their creative journey.
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sam_matt
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Oh, how I wish I could have gone too!

The experience described here sounds truly amazing and I feel a sense of longing. Reading this account is almost as good as being there in person, but not quite. It makes me imagine all the wonderful things that might have happened, the people I could have met, and the memories I could have made.

I can picture the beautiful scenery, the excitement in the air, and the joy on everyone's faces. Although I wasn't able to physically participate, this piece of writing has brought a little bit of that magic into my world. It has made me realize that sometimes, even when we can't be in a particular place or experience something directly, words have the power to transport us and give us a taste of what it might have been like.

Maybe one day, I'll have the opportunity to have my own adventure that is just as memorable as this one. Until then, I'll continue to cherish these written accounts and let my imagination run wild.
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COCK-chan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This book was just okay.

It could have been approximately 100 pages shorter.

The story is about a woman's solo driving experience from NJ through parts of the continental US, Canada, and Alaska.

Besides dealing with the drive, she stops to meet her birth parents and then spends time with the adoptive parents who raised her near the end of her trip.

The family issues were quite interesting, and I really wish that aspect had been given more focus.

Instead, a significant portion of the book was filled with statements like "Wow this scenery is beautiful, aw this little town is dying, man I'm sick of people being surprised that I'm doing this trip alone, oh they're not as hard-core/badass/as much of a true biker as I am."

While that's fine to an extent, it gets really tiresome after 300 pages.

It seemed rather ironic to me that a rich white woman with an Ivy League education would pretend to be such an outlaw.

She had a "holier than thou" attitude towards anyone she considered a true "wanderer" or "biker."

Moreover, she had an unnecessary contempt for those who said they were on a religious mission.

Even though there were several occasions when she was "pleasantly surprised" or thankful that those people didn't preach at her, perhaps because she didn't initially tell them how many problems she had with their way of life as she seemingly wanted to.

I understand that she did something few people do, but let's not pretend that she isn't a privileged person.
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eNagham
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I really enjoyed the detailed explanations of each stop she made on her way to Alaska from New Jersey and then to Canada.

Her journey seemed like an exciting adventure, filled with unique experiences and beautiful landscapes.

As she described each place, I could almost picture it in my mind.

The small towns, the vast wilderness, and the diverse cultures she encountered along the way all added to the richness of her story.

I found myself eager to learn more about her travels and the people she met.

It was as if she was taking me along with her on this amazing trip, and I was thoroughly enjoying every moment of it.

Her detailed accounts made me realize how much there is to discover in the world and how important it is to take the time to explore and experience new things.

I can't wait to hear more about her adventures in Alaska and Canada.
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