On the Road Bike: The Search For a Nation’s Cycling Soul

by Ned Boulting

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. Ned's search puts him in contact with some of the wonderful and wonderfully idiosyncratic people who have contributed to this nation's two-wheeled history. It's a journey that 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.

Genres: Cycling, Nonfiction, Sports, Humor

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2013

Reviews

[Martin Mccann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, this book was released as "On the Road Bike"-I assume the "Yellow Jumpers for Goalposts" title was dropped quite late on (in fact there is a clue that choosing a title may have been a struggle between Ned and his editor in the acknowledgements section if you look carefully). For what it's worth I think the initial title was the better one, and it provided a clearer link back to his previous book, "How I Won the Yellow Jumper".

In fact, I found "...Yellow Jumper" a great book, honest, funny and original, slaying the occasional holy bovine and poking fun at some of the more po-faced approaches to discussing la Grande Boucle. This can be problematic when dealing with a second book- comparisons will inevitably follow and I enjoyed the first so much I did not want to use that as a baseline since a book can be great, but just not up to that level.

To be fair though, this book stands up very well on its own. Ned's constant feeling of being an outsider, being drawn into a world he loves but without a background in the grand traditions of the sport forms the structure on which this book is based. He uses his relatively late epiphany and conversion to the greatest sport in the world as an inspiration to examine how cycling developed the way it has in the UK, as opposed to the European model. The kickstart is off course Wiggins winning the Tour in 2012, and Ned looks at some of the reasons as to why it took so long simply down to how British cycling developed from the 19th century.

On his way he interviews some of the biggest influences, who had been discussing bottom brackets and head stems long before the current crop of money rich but tradition poor enthusiasts were even born. Names like Maurice Burton, Graham Webb, both Tommy Godwins' and more populate the pages, and the passion and eccentricities they exhibit(and reflect cycling culture) are clear. Even Rapha get a more balanced exposure that they are probably used to, and to be fair to Ned he isn't afraid to openly and honestly crtitique people and events, even if it may impact on him later (including losing out on Rapha freebies in the future!).

As well as some very funny moments, there is also poignancy- the story of Ian Meek or Tommy Godwin (#2) are good examples. As is the story and interview with Graham Webb and Pathe (UK news and filmreel institution ) don't come out of this book too well, being unwilling to help locate some footage of Webb's amateur World's victory despite him wanting to see it and being quite unwell, and they having it.

This book may annoy some of the real purists in that it does lay open the whole culture of cycling that many treat as their own personal property, where new cyclists are "Freds" and where people don't realise the Velomati rules are supposed to be a parody. But as well as giving some well overdue respect and exposure to the people who, beginning almost a century ago, laid the roots so that July 2012 would see the first British man to wear yellow on the Champs Elysees lead out a British wearer of the Rainbow Stripes to a sprint victory, this book starts the process of righting a few wrongs and adds to the rich tapestry of tradition and achievement that is global cycling.

[Reds_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ned Boulting, a sports journalist, describes the history of cycling culture in Britain from his perspective as an enthusiastic amateur. He does this mostly through telling the tales of past and present cyclists and as most of the past ones are largely unknown outside of the cycling world, there are many tales of unsung heroes and hardship.

Because the book focusses on the experiences of the individual sportsmen rather than give a linear history, the book can feel a bit episodic and lacking in cohesion. Where is does work well is that this is a personal book and Ned comes across well - he's humorous and despite probably knowing more about cycling than many by now, he's still prepared to play the bumbling outsider. His enjoyment also shines through - enjoyment of the sport, enjoyment of his job that means he gets to cover cycle races and enjoyment of the access he has to his sporting heroes.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost or pretty obviously if you are interested in Cycling well pass this over...unless of course you are the long suffering spouse of a cyclist and want to work out your partners mindset...
To be honest I've returned to Cycling after laying off for some years I guess when I was initially Cycling Miguel Indurain was king and domestically we seemed to have Chris Boardman(in this book) Sean Yates and Graeme Obree...nearly forgot Robert Millar...point is we had but a few hardy individuals and yet post the Barcelona Olympics and the drive to build the Manchester Velodrome plus Lottery funding and well British Cycling is back big...oddly my laying down of the bike and taking to running was in Britain's peak period...not that I was ever likely to contribute anything to it😂
This book looks back at those who carved their niche and paved the way many of whom I was unfamiliar with...it also looks at the unsung enthusiast and to be honest does a decent job at exploring what it is that books people into this sport/recreational activity.
Ultimately it's a well written and somewhat irreverent exploration of the domestic scene and it's previous movers and shakers...if that seems your thing read it...if not well...don't bother..

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how he manages to be modest, articulate and on many levels an impressive person (in terms of his foreign language skills) but still dead annoying!
Decent book about some of men's cycling's unsung heroes along with his own experiences. Probably should have spoke more about Beryl Burton, Victoria Pendleton et al and maybe if he's written it a few years later would have had bit on Lizzie Armitstead.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Ned Boulting - seen him live (excellent), love his ITV4 cycling commentary and his columns in cycling magazines. Very interesting book with a huge great gaping hole in it - absolutely no mention of women cycling (apart from David Millar’s mum and a very brief mention of Victoria Pendleton).

Oh Ned, so disappointing - just reinforces the overwhelming impression (given by cycling magazines and TV coverage) that cycling isn’t for women. What about Billie Dovey for example?

[John Barclay · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pretty poor little book. Not awful, but just not as good as it should have been. There is no doubt that it's a book for cycling fans, and as that it has some fun in the reading. But there is far too much attempt to be "chummy" and self depreciating, it mostly gets in the way. Boulting spends a lot of time telling you that he's not taking this too seriously and that he's an Amateur. It gets tiring from a paid pro in the business.

[Mike Webster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enoyable, easy to read book, broken in to discreet chapters each about various cycling "names" from the British cycling community - it's not the usual Wiggins / Cav etc, but a much more varied selection and for me, this is what makes the book interesting. It's written in Boultings usual jovial style and makes you feel like you are along for the ride.

[Justin Rickwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh dear. I’ve come to the sad realisation that I am, as described by Ned, a MAMIL.

Love this book, Ned Boulting’s writing style and dry wit. It has given me an insight into British Cycling history and made me think about why I get on my bike(s) and ride.

Look forward to seeking out and reading his other books.

[Grant Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable easy read exploring our national love of cycling through its confusing history on these shores and via some of our most prolific, underground, trailblazing and forgotten heroes. Boulting's passion and respect is palpable throughout.

[Michael Bartram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book. A little out of date now, but still a great history of British cycling, told through the lens of an ‘outsider’ and shining a light on some lesser known figures. Nicely written and accessible to a fellow ‘outsider’ like me. Inspired me to get out on my bike again!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty and entertaining history of why Brits have fallen in love with cycling

[Amber Keegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very different way of telling the story of British cycling! I can understand why some readers might not like this method of telling; it isn't chronological, but I enjoyed it. It meant each chapter was a small stand-alone story. He writes beautifully, amusing in places, the way he details his learnings from a 1st person perspective allows for a more emotive reading.

[mark feenan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as previous books.

[Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boulting's writing is always entertaining. Shame there's zero coverage of any women; this is very much a MAMIL story.

[KingKelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.4

[Mike Finch · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit half arsed

[Sam Pratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, thoughtful book for anyone who enjoys bikes, characters, and good stories told with warmth and wit.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Boulting's 'How I Won the Yellow Jumper' (see my review ) which I devoured and loved. What is it? It's not really the story of how we came to win the Tour de France and quickly rise as a cycling power as a nation over the last few years. It's not a systematic history of British cycling either. It's the account of a number of our cycling greats - a say number because it is in no ways complete and looks often into either those who are alive and forgotten by the mainstream or the more idiosyncratic. Interwoven around this in Boulting's easy to read style is his own story of falling in love with cycling and becoming a MAMIL (middle-agged man in lycra), something I can readily relate to. Again I loved it! It's not a heavy weight book, it's language is accessible to the non-cycling buff, which successfully conveys something of why we take to the bike and ride and how many Brits have done this despite it being unfashionable and eccentric to do so. Others may not rate it 5 stars, but I smiled my way through it, a knowing smile from both enjoying the jokes and realising that I have come to see cycling in much the same way as Ned has.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm intrigued and bemused by the way cycling's taken off in Britain, and enjoyed his 'Yellow Jumper' book about the Tour de France, so this jumped out at me from a library shelf.

I was expecting observations and musings about British cyclists, MAMILs and the like. Those do come, eventually - but I was pleasantly surprised by what came first: absorbing and quite moving interviews and explorations of some of the characters and little-known greats of the sport. And I appreciate the way Ned Boulting doesn't just write about it, but gets out there and does it, competing in races and relating the experience with some lovely details such as spotting his name chalked across the road.

The book 'bonks' around halfway (sorry about the technical term; suddenly runs out of steam) in a interview with Ken Livingstone that I suspect wasn't good enough for TV, and isn't good enough for a book either; and a chapter that comes across as a love-letter to a certain brand of overpriced clothing for Surrey bankers (that's not rhyming slang; or maybe it is). But it's soon back to people with better stories, and lets their own words do the telling.

All unexpectedly understated for someone off the telly, perceptive and funny - made me both smile and want to get on a bike.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprising, funny and moving book about British cycling history and culture from an author whose everyman approach to the material makes it accessible to people who don't know their peloton from their elbow.

Boulting's day job as a sports presenter and journalist equips him to convey the eccentricity of the international and domestic cycling scenes hilariously, but his skill as a writer is in the way that he tells us about forgotten heroes, unknown but valuable contributors to the growth in popularity of cycling in the UK and ordinary people with a connection to the sport - the chapter on Ian Meek is quite honestly heart-rending.

If you've come into cycling inspired by Wiggo, Cav and Froomey and want a sense of the grass-roots scene which produces international heroes and Saturday morning cycling club riders, Boulting's book is a darned good place to start.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the author read the Audible version which helped bring it to life. Boulting is very good at the the very English art of journalistic self-deprication, which makes you feel he's one of us keen though fairly ignorant cyclists. It is a collection of anecdotes which are sometimes too personal to be of wide interest. Also, because he changed the thread at the start of each chapter it can feel a bit random. I loved the description of his brief association with Gary Kemp: almost surreal bringing Spandau Ballet into a book about bikes. The overall book was a little too meandering for me though. And descriptions of different bike routes and the attributes of his colleague's mum didn't interest me. A cosy listen though.

[Colin Lowndes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute fantastic read! Written by Tour correspondent Ned Boulting who move s away fro the tour to look at a nations obsession with getting on the bike! The author has been a correspondent on the tour for the last ten years or has he puts it from "Armstrong's drug fuelled jihad to British dominance", here he puts the tour behind him and looks at earlier British triumphs to the amateur cycling scene in the UK. Written as a series of small interesting chapters and anecdotes form racing on the continent in the 50's to painting images of New Romantics cycling round London on a Saturday morning! Brilliant read!

[russell barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given the bumbling nature of Ned's previous book, and I suspect the man himself, this was rather an ambitiously titled book, but somehow, incredibly, with the usual stop-offs for chaos, disaster and misunderstandings he just about managed to pull it off.

He clearly loses the thread of story within a chapter. However, bouncing from one obsessed middle-aged man (and they're pretty much all men), to another septuagenarian eccentric via his own inept cycling performances, Ned manages to stumble on the torch bearers of British cycling, and in tern reveal the woolly, homespun heart that beats behind the slick Sky/BCF carapace.

[Adam Coatham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant read - really, it feels like a coffee table book, that you can pick up and read a chapter of, and then return to at will - there's no real thread or narrative that you need to follow, each chapter is pretty standalone. Ned has a very likeable writing manner, it feels like a friend is having a conversation with you, and you really do "bond" with him as he goes through each chapter. Each chapter carries its own interest, but what holds back this book from being rated higher is that lack of a feeling of a thread.

[Steve Chilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a funny and moving book about British cycling history and culture from an author whose writing makes the subject accessible to people who don't know it intimately. His skill lies in the way that he tells of forgotten heroes, valuable contributors to the growth in popularity of cycling in the UK and ordinary people with a connection to the sport. If you've come to love cycling by watching (or reading about) Wiggins and Froome this book can give you a sense of the grass-roots scene which produces both those international names and also multitudes of cycling club riders.

[mahatmanto · Rating 2 out of 5]

saya membeli ebook ini [juga kebayakan ebook saya] dari knol dot pw.
ini terbeli ketika pengen nyari tulisan-tulisan tentang kontribusi bersepeda pada kehidupan kota.
buku ini bercerita tentang orang-orang [warga kota] yang punya pengalaman dengan sepedanya. khususnya orang-orang inggris, tempat buku dan penulisnya ini tinggal.
rupanya bukan ini yang cocok buat kebutuhan saya. mungkin kali lain buku ini ada gunanya. hehe...
---

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Ned. His casual easy style of writing is easy to read and often amusing. This book's primary subject is the way cycling has grown as a curious sport populated by odd outsiders to a popular sport headlined by the 'Wiggo effect'.

This book is ultimately interesting and often amusing but lacks a little punch and drive. I doubt those without interest in our sport would find it that compelling.

[Simon Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ned Boulting continues his wry look at all things cycling. Having dissected the Tour in his previous book, 'How I won the Yellow Jumper' he goes on to so the same with Cycling as a whole in Britain.
He finds it to be ever so slightly risible and preposterous but also somehow noble in its tenacity.
A genuinely laugh out loud read.

[Paul Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, although it would benefit from being told in a more chronological order, from when Ned started to now, instead it jumps about between unrelated stories and in and out from first person to third.
That aside a very good book.

[Fritzov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok i am trying to get back into biking and this is a book about cycling. But most of Ned's stories never caught my attention.