Over the past year, being at home, I am sure I am not the only one who has found they have more time on their hands. So it will be no surprise that I have been through a number of books with most of these being cycling related and specifically women’s cycling (not much of a surprise there).
So thought I would share what I’ve been reading.
Revolutions: How Women Changed the World on Two Wheels by Hannah Ross
They say don’t judge a book by it’s cover but I will admit the name of this book interested me before I even read what it was about! A very thought provoking series of stories about ladies who overcame challenges in the sport of cycling as women. It covers a historical timeline covering diversity issues including the gender gap, how women would dress on a bike when they first started cycling, representation and how to empower more women to cycle.
Available on Amazon for £8.99 for the kindle and £12.74 for hardback.
The Cycling Chef: Recipes for Getting Lean and Fuelling the Machine by Alan Murchison
This is the second book that I have from Alan, also known as Performance Chef. I love his no-nonsense approach and the fact that the book is not just a recipe book but explains nutrition from different perspectives whether it be with various areas from fuelling to recovery. It explains the reason behind why certain foods are best with performance in mind and the recipes are amazing that I have tried so far – this was not a surprise as I have his first book and so seeing a second I purchased straight away.
I can recommend the raspberry-banana ripple baked oats and coconut oat balls!
Available on Amazon for £11.09 for the kindle and £15.70 for hardback.
How to Cycle Further by Mark Beaumont
When I saw this book advertised I was very excited as I knew a lot about Mark and previous adventures he had been on. These are not just cycling related but do include the following (and many more):
- the hour record on a penny farthing at Herne Hill
- cycling around the world covering 18,000 miles in 78 days, 14 hours and 40 minutes
- cycling around Britain covering 3,000 miles
- fastest record from Cairo to Cape Town covering 10,000km in 41 days, 10 hours and 22 minutes
This book covers all areas of endurance cycling from Mark from his experiences – if you are into endurance cycling I would definitely recommend.
Available on the GCN store for £16.99.
Where There’s A Will: Hope, Grief and Endurance in a Cycle Race Across a Continent by Emily Chappell
Emily was a cycle courier and the first woman to finish the Transcontinental Race in 2016 and whilst this book talks about that it is much more than just that race. I love how relatable Emily is, she is so humble and her love of cycling and being outside being clear from the outset. The writing is beautiful, she is brutally honest and shares her experiences including the ups and downs and her mental health struggles.
I had enjoyed the Invisible Peloton by Emily with Rapha last year where she spoke of women in cycling that inspire her and I am sure she would feature on that list by many including myself.
Available on Amazon for £5.69 for the kindle and £11.99 for hardback.
ROAR: How to Match Your Food and Fitness to Your Unique Female Physiology for Optimum Performance, Great Health, and a Strong, Lean Body for Life by Stacy Sims
There is no surprise this book is on the list – I feel like everyone I know has read this book within the last couple of years and to be honest this had been on my kindle for way too long before I actually read it. Stacy Sims is the leading global expert on female physiology.
This is not a specific cycling book but relevant for any women to be fitter and stronger. If you know of this book you may have heard the term ‘women are not small men’ and this book explains why you should not try to be one and how you can change your habits to reach your full potential. I have also been to a talk by Jasmijn Muller at a Look Mum No Hands event as she has been on the course offered by this author and was talking all things covered in the course and what she learned so I had a good idea of what would be covered.
Available on Amazon for £10.99 for the kindle and £11.78 for paperback.
Tough Women Adventure Stories: Stories of Grit, Courage and Determination by Jenny Tough
This book includes a number of stories from various amazing women and their adventures. They are not all cycling but do have stories from:
- Emily Chappell – also mentioned above from her standalone book and part of The Adventure Syndicate with Rickie Cotter mentioned below
- Rickie Cotter – 24 hour MTB National Champ and Highland 550 record holder
- Kate Rawles – author of The Carbon Cycle, with environmental challenges of importance to Kate, owner of Woody the bamboo bicycle that she cycled from Colombia to Cape Horn
- Vedangi Kulkarni – cycled 18,000 miles around the world in 160 days and is so down to earth and funny!
All of the above ladies have great cycling adventures they discuss within this book. This is a firm favourite of mine and you cannot help but be inspired by the many tales you read.
Available on Amazon for £3.99 for the kindle and £8.19 for paperback.
If you read any then enjoy and let me know what you think!
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