Comments on: Cycling book recommendations by my marvellous Twitterers

By: Mr Jon

Mr Jon — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:03:36 +0000

The daddy of all endurance cycling books must be Around the World on a Bicycle – Volumes 1 & 2 by Thomas Stevens, the first man to cycle round the world (on a penny farthing in the 1880s). I haven’t read it, but you can download it from Gutenberg. His grave in East Finchley is one of the top cycling pilgrimage spots (if there are such places) in the UK.

Dervla Murphy’s first book, Full Tilt: Ireland to India With a Bicycle is a great read about cycling to New Delhi on a sit-up-and-beg bike with only one gear in the early Sixties. She’s one of the travel writing greats and quite often writes of her adventures on a bike.

As well as reading Alastair Humphreys’ books, I’d also recommend trying to catch him give a talk. A very engaging chap with a really remarkable story.

By: Andreas

Andreas — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:18:27 +0000

Thanks everyone for the extra suggestions. I’ll update the cycling books page soon and add some more.

By: ians70wm

ians70wm — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:05:03 +0000

Just read Rob Lilwall’s Cycling Home from Siberia – a great read, very humble for such a great achievement

By: Cindy Gimble

Cindy Gimble — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:49:31 +0000

I can vouch for Cycling Back to Happiness, it is a very good, and funny book, once the journey gets going. The first couple of chapters were quite tough, because of the author’s personal ordeal.
I’d also like to recommend Mike Carden’s books, The Full English and his new one, A Bit Scott-ish, which are also very funny and easy to read.

By: Andy Trinkle

Andy Trinkle — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:01:16 +0000

I can recommend Cycling Back to Happiness by Bernie Friend. Great book about the North Sea Cycle Route and one man's battle to beat his anxiety problems after going through some awful family stuff. Had me laughing and crying in equal measure! Best thing was, he wasn't some majorly buff cycling fanatic, just a normal bloke on two wheels.

By: Simon

Simon — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:01:35 +0000

What about “One kilometer more and we’re in the shower”? One of the best book about cycling I have read.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-More-Kilometre-Were-Showers/dp/0006532284

By: Daily Bike News Roundup covering ultra, touring and endurance cycling

Daily Bike News Roundup covering ultra, touring and endurance cycling — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:37:02 +0000

[...] Are you looking for some current cycling books to read? This list has some good choices that cover a spectrum from road to endurance and around the world cycling. [...]

By: Andreas

Andreas — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:20:01 +0000

Just finished Alastair’s first book on pedalling across Africa. Was very good! Moving on to second one shortly. Can’t believe he did all that distance with that little money. Loved the commentary on being thrown stones at parts of Africa and how destroyed the bike was by the end!

David – Thanks for recommendation

By: David Jordan

David Jordan — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:02:15 +0000

"Need for the Bike" by Paul Fornel

By: Alastair Humphreys

Alastair Humphreys — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:00:26 +0000

Thanks Andreas! I am a regular lurker on your site so I hope our paths cross one day soon…