Description
Book Synopsis
The world as seen from a bike
'Understated, comic and melancholic... It’ll inspire you to get back on your bike.' Martin Love, The Guardian
‘One of the most entertaining sports books I have ever read’ Joe Short, The Daily Express
In this award-winning collection of cycling tales, Wilfried de Jong uncovers the true soul of cycling – why we do it, why we watch it, why we hate it, why we love it – stripped bare.
With his distinctly comic and melancholic charm Wilfried ponders life, love and death on his trusted bike, chasing the essence of our existence against the backdrop of major cycling events or while roaming alone in nature.
Whether he is describing being ejected from Paris-Roubaix, a terminal incident with a bird while out riding, or explaining why he is standing stark naked on Belgian cobbles with a tyre in his hand, Wilfried unlocks a sport that involves so much pain, punishment, and a high probability of failure, but that will always liberate and inspire us.
Trade ReviewAt times hilarious, in other moments thought provoking, this is a fascinating story of the world seen from a bike. * Charly Wegelius *
One of the most entertaining sports books I have ever read -- Joe Short * The Daily Express *
Understated, comic and melancholic... It’ll inspire you to get back on your bike. -- Martin Love * Guardian *
Not only is this compulsory reading for the cognoscenti, it ought to accompany every new road bike and sportwool jersey sold in the next decade * The Washing Machine Post *
There’s no one who can capture the beauty of cycling like Wilfried * Het Parool *
Sit down and let Wilfried guide you through the wondrous world of cycling * Tim Krabbé *
A master of the short story * Die Zeit *
