They've traveled around the world on their bikes. Now they've written a book

It all started with a napkin.  Decorah residents Ward and Jacky Budweg were sitting at T-Bock's when Ward told Jacky he wanted to marry her.  Jacky had been engaged previously, but her fiancee died from cancer at the age of 21.  That death taught her that life is short.  So she told Ward of her dream to ride a bicycle around the world--and made him sign a promise on the napkin that he and she would take that trip.

After further negotiating involving rooting for the Green Bay Packers, the two got married and began saving money for that trip.  Starting in 2007 and running through 2010, they traveled on their bicycles in 47 countries across the globe.

They had just two rules: the countries they visited had to be safe and they could not be cold or wet during the season they visited.  They learned along the way the best way to make friends along the route--a talent which came in handy if they wanted to camp in someone's back yard, for instance.  They learned the importance of learning which countries required visas to enter from another country.  The 47 countries they visited spoke a total of 32 different languages, so they learned they had to use sign language or charades to be understood.

Their favorite bike routes were in Norway, Denmark and Belguim.  Their favorite people were in Argentina, New Zealand and South Korea.  Jacky wrote in a journal each and every day along the route, saving those memories.

And now, 10 years after the trip ended, they have completed another long journey--publication of their book which recounts their adventures along the way.  "The World at 10 MPH" was a lot of work, the two say, but, in Jacky's words, "I hope it reflects our personalities." In the end, the book is not just a travelogue, but a reflection on the people they met and the lessons they learned about our world.