Artie Royal has had a rough life and he has suffered more loss and rejection than anyone should have to bear. Still, he rises above the problems confronting him, and he does it with charity and grace and understanding. In fact, it eventually becomes as easy for him to push his concerns aside as it was at age eight to soar down Main Street on that blue bike, wind whistling in his ears.

By age eight, Artie Royal knows that for a few minutes he can escape his parents' conflicts through exhilarating rides on his hand-me-down bike.

At age seventeen, the bike now an outgrown shambles, he takes comfort in girlfriend Sandy. With the loss of great-grandfather, Merle Jongleur, Artie's ties to his family and the blue bike seem to be severed, and he seeks refuge in a naval career. But this choice proves problematic.

Back home in North Carolina, he finally seems settled in a mundane career and a comfortable life with wife Katie - until Sandy calls. Once again seeking emotional relief, he jumps at an offer of a trip to Nova Scotia to meet Merle's Acadian relatives and settle a family estate. There, events bring unexpected results and new family ties.

The old bike traces a continuous thread though Artie's life as it passes to him, then to others, but in the end this is a tale of the individual spirit's ability to renew itself through solitary hope and ever-changing human relationships.

Praise from the (2011) Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards:

"EMOTIONALLY RIVETING STORY. THE BLUE BICYCLE is extremely well-written, with nearly flawless prose and a well-executed plot. Author Bob Mustin has a true talent for creating characters that are both genuine and distinctive. This nicely executed story provides a glimpse into the lives of appealing characters that hold the reader's interest. The conversations between characters are quick-paced and important, with no unnecessary banter or backstory. The back cover does a very good job of indicating to the reader what the story is about. Mustin's voice rings through without being intrusive, pulling readers on an emotional journey that will touch them.