The trip followed no plan, and when the temperature began to drop the pair decided to turn south and bike across the U.S.

A turning point on the unexpected journey was in Zion National Park in Utah.

“We didn’t know about it before we arrived there, but it was a place that really clutched us,” said Rosen.

“We kept meaning to leave but we never left.

“It was in that place, about six weeks into the trip, that I really started realising ‘OK, we do have something worth fighting for and moving forward in our relationship.’”

With You By Bike follows Mike and Katrina through the U.S., across the ocean in New Zealand, throughout Southeast Asia and eventually to Nepal as they face robberies, flat tires and navigating foreign countries.

Rosen began writing the story of her journey with her husband without intending to publish it. She had always written in journals, but had never set out to write a book.

“It was very therapeutic for me to write, even if it was just going to be for myself and Mike.

“It was in Zion National Park actually where I really started documenting the trip as if I wanted to do something with it in the future.”

With You By Bike can be read for its adventure and perseverance in exceptional circumstances, but also as a meditation on relationships, loneliness and forgiveness.

“It took actually a number of years to be brave enough to put the story out there,” said Rosen.

“But ultimately I think it’s really important to share some stories because we’re not the only ones that go through hardships and I know when you’re in it, it can feel very lonely.

“In the end it has become an outlet for a lot of others who are struggling in their own relationships.”

Through a writing group, an editor, journals, videos and sifting through the memories of her trip, the book took shape. Rosen said the first draft ran 180,000 words.

“Nobody would want to publish that, so yeah, a lot of stuff was taken out,” she said.

Rosen felt she was able to recall her memories with more detail and process the trip better through writing.

“I think I only gained from it […] being able to fall in love with my husband again every time I read the book, and then also with myself because throughout the story I worked through all the emotions of forgiveness and learning how to love myself.”

Rosen encourages others to travel whenever the opportunity arises.

“Just do it,” she said.

“Oh my gosh, it’s so easy to go on a trip without a plan, and if you have the luxury of time to make a plan, then that’s great.

“But if you don’t and you want to go on a trip, it costs, I think, way less money than people anticipate, especially if you’re willing to camp.”

Rosen’s next book will likely follow Katrina and Mike, now joined by their son Zion, through a recent cycling trip across Europe.

                                                          BY ZACHARY SIGURDSON