Robert Isenberg has worked as a bike messenger, written about

cycling for national magazines, and “bikepacked” all over the world. But he had never written a

book about it. One Sept. 12, Isenberg will officially release his nonfiction book, “Mile

Markers: Essays on Cycling,” published this summer by startup press Last-Picked Books.

“You could say I’ve been writing this book my entire life,” says Isenberg, a freelance writer

based in New England. “I’ve always loved to ride, and I’ve always loved to write about it. I think

what makes ‘Mile Markers’ unique is the audience; it’s designed for everyday people. It’s not

about Tour de France winners. It’s not about riding across continents. I’m just a suburban dad

who likes to explore on two wheels. Almost anybody can relate to the themes in this book.”

Isenberg will read excerpts from the book at AS220, 115 Empire Street, starting at 7 p.m.

Tickets can be reserved online at XXX for $5.

“I’ve deeply admired AS220 since I arrived in Rhode Island seven years ago,” says Isenberg.

“I’ve caught movie screenings here. I’ve seen comedy shows. I’ve joined their life drawing

sessions. I’m just blown away that so many different kinds of arts take place under one roof.

Getting to release the book here, something so close to my heart, it’s a dream come true.”

Isenberg has worked as a professional writer for 24 years and a multimedia producer for

the past decade. He writes regularly about cycling and reviews gear for Momentum Magazine.

His feature-length documentary, “The Trail,” about riding the Great Allegheny Passage, has aired

several times on WQED public television. His previous books include “The Green Season” (The

Tico Times Publications Group, 2015) about his two years as a journalist in Central America. He

most recently contributed chapters to two Lonely Planet guidebooks (2023) both about Costa

Rica.

Last-Picked Books is a brand-new small press based in Pittsburgh, founded by author Daniel

Parme in 2024. Its mission is to publish books that have consistently failed to secure a contract,

despite obvious merit.