Where There's A Will
Hope, Grief and Endurance in a Cycle Race Across a Continent
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Profile Books Ltd
Published:5th Nov '20
Should be back in stock very soon
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Emily Chappell's journey as a cross-continental bike racer unfolds through her experiences in the challenging Transcontinental race, showcasing her endurance, self-doubt, and the emotional weight of loss and victory.
Where There's a Will by Emily Chappell chronicles her remarkable journey from an ordinary cyclist to a determined cross-continental bike racer. The narrative begins in 2015 when Chappell takes on the daunting Transcontinental Race, a grueling 4,000 km route across Europe that requires participants to be completely self-sufficient. During her first attempt, she faces significant challenges, ultimately only making it halfway before succumbing to the overwhelming physical and mental demands of the race. This initial setback serves as a catalyst for her transformation and determination.
A year later, Chappell returns to the race with renewed resolve, ultimately achieving victory. The book immerses readers in the intense experience of ultra-distance racing, detailing the physical exertion of climbing mountain passes, the fleeting moments of rest, and the constant navigation required to stay on course. Through her vivid storytelling, Chappell captures the essence of endurance and the mental fortitude needed to push through the pain and fatigue that accompany such a monumental challenge.
As she shares her journey, Chappell also delves into the emotional complexities of racing, revealing her struggles with self-doubt and the profound impact of losing a close friend who understood the sport's demands. Where There's a Will is not just a tale of physical endurance; it is a poignant exploration of resilience, friendship, and the transformative power of pursuing one's passions against all odds.
Emily Chappell is one of the most inspiring athletes on the planet. Humble, tender and alive with unimaginable grit, this book makes us see just how much is possible. -- Chris Cleave, author of The Other Hand and Everyone Brave is Forgiven
Her descriptions of what goes on in a rider's head in the middle of a race are on a par with Tim Krabbé. Lyrical writing and compelling reading - a real treat. -- Isabel Best, author of Queens of Pain
A first class cyclist and an even better writer -- Robert Penn, author of It's All About the Bike
For What Goes Around: Chappell is a marvellous writer, and the book reads rather like a bike ride with its succession of turns and unexpected discoveries ... The joy of cycling is at its heart, however; if any book could make you consider chucking in your desk job and throwing on some Lycra, this could be it. * DIVA *
Fascinating * New Statesman *
This memoir of a cycle courier and her love affair with the capital delivers the goods in style...Chappell is a gifted storyteller. She deftly weaves in a plotted history of couriering, from the explosion of the industry in the late 1980s...through to its gentle decline at the hand of email attachments, file sharing and electronic signatures...In and out of all this, fine words flow on the simple but profound pleasure of floating through the city on a bicycle - of the "strange sense of stillness", and "the energy of sheer motion itself. * Observer *
Emily Chappell is one of the most inspiring athletes on the planet. Humble, tender and alive with unimaginable grit, this book makes us see just how much is possible. -- Chris Cleave
ISBN: 9781788161527
Dimensions: 198mm x 128mm x 22mm
Weight: 212g
304 pages
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