On the Road Bike
The Search For a Nation’s Cycling Soul
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Vintage Publishing
Published:29th May '14
Should be back in stock very soon
*Now with a brand new chapter* An amusing and personal exploration of the austere, nutty soul of British cycling from Ned Boulting, the author of How I Won The Yellow Jumper.
And what, exactly is 'this'.
In On the Road Bike, Ned Boulting asks how Britain became so obsessed with cycling.
‘British cyclist. It used to be an oxymoron, a sort of silliness. Like French Cricket’
Ned Boulting has noticed something. It’s to do with bikes. They’re everywhere. And so are their riders. Some of these riders seem to be sporting sideburns and a few of them are winning things. Big things. Now Ned wants to know how on earth it came to this. And what, exactly is 'this'.
In On the Road Bike, Ned Boulting asks how Britain became so obsessed with cycling. His journey takes him from the velodrome at Herne Hill to the Tour of Britain at Stoke-on-Trent via Bradley Wiggins, Chris Boardman, David Millar (and David’s mum), Ken Livingstone, both Tommy Godwins, Gary Kemp (yes, him from Spandau Ballet) and many, many more. The result is an amusing and personal exploration of the austere, nutty soul of British cycling.
'Funny, fascinating and frequently touching ... will be enjoyed by anyone with even a passing interest in cycling. No bib shorts required' Guardian
Funny, fascinating and frequently touching ... will be enjoyed by anyone with even a passing interest in cycling. No bib shorts required -- Helen Pidd * Guardian *
Don't expect to read a better sports book this year. Funny, serious, quirky, hard hitting. -- Brendan Gallagher
Quirky, insightful, soulful. Could be subtitled 'cyclists are odd - discuss' -- Matt Dickinson * @DickinsonTimes *
It's very funny, surprisingly insightful and features telling observations from a litany of engaging personalities along with Ned's amusing take on his own cycling experiences * Wheelsuckers *
Boulting is a delightful narrator, amusingly preoccupied by his own middle-class roots * Financial Times *
An amusing and personal exploration of the austere, nutty soul of British cycling * Nudge *
Reading this book, you are treated to a number of laugh-out-load anecdotes, you get to meet the most eccentric characters and you will read some surprisingly moving tales…sure to enlighten and entertain -- Joff Verby * London Cyclist *
Boulting is a deliciously funny companion -- Claire Allfree * Metro *
Heartwarming and often downright hilarious -- Susan Swarbrick * Sunday Herald *
- Short-listed for British Sports Book Publishing Awards 2014 (UK)
ISBN: 9780224092098
Dimensions: 197mm x 130mm x 21mm
Weight: 236g
336 pages