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Live to Ride: Finding Joy and Meaning on a Bicycle
A visual celebration of the beauty and lure of bicycle culture by renowned cycling journalist Peter Flax
Live to Bike is an ode to cycling from one of the world’s most respected cycling journalists. The bicycle is one of the greatest inventions in human history. It can literally transport you to places you want to go—to your school or office, to the summit of a local hilltop, to some objective in your pursuit of fitness—but it can do more than that. A bicycle can also transport you to an entirely different mindset, a place where you can embrace the unexpected and live in the moment.
People are drawn to riding for many of the same reasons—to test themselves, find themselves, and express themselves. To find some peace and beauty. To inject fun and adventure into their busy lives.
Live to Bike is an illustrated gift book for those who love to bike. It’s for every type of cyclist—from mountain bikers, to commuters, to tourers and triathletes and beach cruisers and bikepackers and messengers. To wheelie kids, to vintage bike collectors. Author, Peter Flax, a celebrated cycling journalist, is here to show us that cycling should be inclusive—that all riders are connected in various, yet similar, ways.
Organized by theme, each one exploring what Flax believes are the shared reasons that people Adventure, Speed, Utility, Nature, Competition, and Self-Expression. Within each chapter are interviews and profiles with a diverse list of famed riders, both legendary and contemporary. Also included is the ultimate destination ride, with a map, based on that chapter’s theme; and insider info like the one perfect bike; and essential gear that a rider needs to be in the know about. Modern and sleek in its design, and filled with a mix of photography and illustration, this is both a book any rider will cherish for years to come.
Live to Bike is an ode to cycling from one of the world’s most respected cycling journalists. The bicycle is one of the greatest inventions in human history. It can literally transport you to places you want to go—to your school or office, to the summit of a local hilltop, to some objective in your pursuit of fitness—but it can do more than that. A bicycle can also transport you to an entirely different mindset, a place where you can embrace the unexpected and live in the moment.
People are drawn to riding for many of the same reasons—to test themselves, find themselves, and express themselves. To find some peace and beauty. To inject fun and adventure into their busy lives.
Live to Bike is an illustrated gift book for those who love to bike. It’s for every type of cyclist—from mountain bikers, to commuters, to tourers and triathletes and beach cruisers and bikepackers and messengers. To wheelie kids, to vintage bike collectors. Author, Peter Flax, a celebrated cycling journalist, is here to show us that cycling should be inclusive—that all riders are connected in various, yet similar, ways.
Organized by theme, each one exploring what Flax believes are the shared reasons that people Adventure, Speed, Utility, Nature, Competition, and Self-Expression. Within each chapter are interviews and profiles with a diverse list of famed riders, both legendary and contemporary. Also included is the ultimate destination ride, with a map, based on that chapter’s theme; and insider info like the one perfect bike; and essential gear that a rider needs to be in the know about. Modern and sleek in its design, and filled with a mix of photography and illustration, this is both a book any rider will cherish for years to come.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published March 19, 2024
5 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 3, 2024
So, uh, yeah, I think I was the target audience for this one ... cycling and photography, appreciation of the various things that making cycling so awesome (the speed, the freedom, the travel, the experience, the technology (including gear and kit and style), the agony and the ecstasy, etc.), all with a hard lean into inclusive community, ... well, what's not to like?
OK, I've been reading Flax's work (in various publications) and enjoying the Grubers' exquisite photography (even more so these days through Instagram ... if you love bike racing (or bikes) and you don't follow @jeredgruber and @ashleygruber ... and, for that matter, @leon_van_bon, maybe this book isn't for you) ... so I spent the money without hesitation.
For me, this was a light lift (although the book's production quality was high, and the book itself is heavy), a quick read, a lot of head nodding ... OK, OK, there's plenty of nostalgia buried in here ... and, more than anything, an accumulation of simple gifts and pleasures. I fully enjoyed the experience.
Reviewer's nit: I thought Flax started strong, but I was disappointed that he concluded with a whimper (... indeed, I can't even say he wrapped things up at the end).... I had to check to make sure that nothing was missing between the final section (or text passage) and the index. Alas.
My gut says that, come holiday season or special (birth?) day, this is a wonderful, low risk gift for the cyclist in your life (even if that means buying it for yourself).
OK, I've been reading Flax's work (in various publications) and enjoying the Grubers' exquisite photography (even more so these days through Instagram ... if you love bike racing (or bikes) and you don't follow @jeredgruber and @ashleygruber ... and, for that matter, @leon_van_bon, maybe this book isn't for you) ... so I spent the money without hesitation.
For me, this was a light lift (although the book's production quality was high, and the book itself is heavy), a quick read, a lot of head nodding ... OK, OK, there's plenty of nostalgia buried in here ... and, more than anything, an accumulation of simple gifts and pleasures. I fully enjoyed the experience.
Reviewer's nit: I thought Flax started strong, but I was disappointed that he concluded with a whimper (... indeed, I can't even say he wrapped things up at the end).... I had to check to make sure that nothing was missing between the final section (or text passage) and the index. Alas.
My gut says that, come holiday season or special (birth?) day, this is a wonderful, low risk gift for the cyclist in your life (even if that means buying it for yourself).
June 23, 2024
Many people who care deeply about bikes realize that all important social issues of our time- racism, poverty, gender inequality, sexuality, housing and transportation equity, policing, trans rights, body image, and climate change- intersect with bike culture.
For bike culture to reach its full potential everyone needs to feel welcome. Cycling should not seem intimidating to newcomers and should not take years to feel like they belong. If you’re riding a bike you’re doing it right. Most riders value the qualities of: adventure, speed, utility, nature, competition, and self-expression. Each chapter focuses on these topics. Which ones explain why I ride? I’ve asked many people in my community why they ride too and I’m now pondering if all of the reasons can fit into these categories.
We are just on the cusp of having our broader culture accept how bicycles can change the world for the better.
People who ride a lot know that even a ten minute leisure ride to the store has an undeniable experiential quality. Pedaling through familiar places brings unexpected delights.our minds are open to appreciate surprises primed to seek out experiences that are a little weird. When the author rode his bike across the US it was personal dreamy and totally surprising. People who ride know the intoxicating pleasures of adventure are boundless. It’s about being open to what might come your way. Rides can change us- to get lost and found while pedaling through the world.🌎
Bikes can do many things- they provide basic transportation and transcendent adventure and physical and mental well-being- and undeniably they are instruments of adventure.
The bike helps you connect with your world. When you ride in a car it’s like you are watching a movie but when you are on a bike it’s like you are in the movie.
Five women transformed bike racing in the 1890s turning out thousands of spectators and were well paid celebrity athletes. Susan B Anthony said I think the bicycle has done more to emancipate women than any one thing in the world. I rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a bike. It gives her a feeling of self-reliance and independence the moment she takes her seat and say she goes, the picture of untrammeled womanhood.
Communities that are often marginalized shouldn’t feel pressure to conform to existing rules, they should just be met where they are and accepted.
People are gravitating toward what their souls need and they know their soul needs to be outside and you feel really alive on a bike- Rebecca Rausch
The bike makes you pay attention to nature. When we ride the wind and the nuances of the terrain matter. And when we ride our bodies and nature are connected- Roman Dial
For bike culture to reach its full potential everyone needs to feel welcome. Cycling should not seem intimidating to newcomers and should not take years to feel like they belong. If you’re riding a bike you’re doing it right. Most riders value the qualities of: adventure, speed, utility, nature, competition, and self-expression. Each chapter focuses on these topics. Which ones explain why I ride? I’ve asked many people in my community why they ride too and I’m now pondering if all of the reasons can fit into these categories.
We are just on the cusp of having our broader culture accept how bicycles can change the world for the better.
People who ride a lot know that even a ten minute leisure ride to the store has an undeniable experiential quality. Pedaling through familiar places brings unexpected delights.our minds are open to appreciate surprises primed to seek out experiences that are a little weird. When the author rode his bike across the US it was personal dreamy and totally surprising. People who ride know the intoxicating pleasures of adventure are boundless. It’s about being open to what might come your way. Rides can change us- to get lost and found while pedaling through the world.🌎
Bikes can do many things- they provide basic transportation and transcendent adventure and physical and mental well-being- and undeniably they are instruments of adventure.
The bike helps you connect with your world. When you ride in a car it’s like you are watching a movie but when you are on a bike it’s like you are in the movie.
Five women transformed bike racing in the 1890s turning out thousands of spectators and were well paid celebrity athletes. Susan B Anthony said I think the bicycle has done more to emancipate women than any one thing in the world. I rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a bike. It gives her a feeling of self-reliance and independence the moment she takes her seat and say she goes, the picture of untrammeled womanhood.
Communities that are often marginalized shouldn’t feel pressure to conform to existing rules, they should just be met where they are and accepted.
People are gravitating toward what their souls need and they know their soul needs to be outside and you feel really alive on a bike- Rebecca Rausch
The bike makes you pay attention to nature. When we ride the wind and the nuances of the terrain matter. And when we ride our bodies and nature are connected- Roman Dial
September 6, 2025
Interesting collection of stories and great photos about the many different avenues of cycling. Lots of head nodding for me, but at the same time, it felt kind of… bland? I don’t know. I’m glad I read it, but I’m left oddly unsatisfied.
January 14, 2025
A fantastic collection of essays about different aspects of cycling, different types of cyclists, and the fun of cycling and the competition of cycling and the business of cycling.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews