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Guy Martin: Worms to Catch
‘I was never going to sleep in and take it easy, there were worms to catch.’Breaking records on the world’s biggest Wall of Death, cycling 2,745 miles across the length of the United States (while sleeping rough), attempting to be the fastest person ever on two wheels and travelling to Latvia to investigate his family’s roots, it's been a busy year for Guy Martin. There’s been some thrilling racing too, including wild Harley choppers on dirt and turbo-charged Transit vans through the Nevada desert. And don't forget there’s the day job to get back to in North Lincolnshire – the truck yard and the butty van. Guy has done more in one year than most people do in a lifetime, and with his gift for story-telling, he takes you with him to the outer limits of human endurance, and on a dizzying adrenalin high, all in a day’s work.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2016
29 people are currently reading
289 people want to read
About the author
Guy Martin
50 books84 followersGuy Martin is publicly known primarily as an English motorcycle racer, who also works as a lorry mechanic and TV presenter. He has mainly competed in road racing events such as the Isle of Man TT, Ulster Grand Prix and North West 200. Since 2011, Martin has also found success as the front man of several television programmes focusing on his passions of engineering, motor vehicles and speed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
February 24, 2017
Review to follow when I'm not on my phone !!
Phew back on my laptop so I can type properly, well sort of.
I have been a motorcyclist for too many (39 - omg) years, and on and off a follower of Motorcycle racing, whether The IoM TT, Moto GP(as it is known now) or even something like the Trans-Atlantic Trophy (they were the days). In all that time, having tried it once (never again) I have grown to have the utmost admiration for those brave men (read lunatics) who race motorcycles.
Of those brave men (lunatics) I have followed the careers of a few and supported them whenever I could, namely the late great Barry Sheene, (Rocket) Ron Haslam, Tony Rutter, Joey Dunlop and of course Guy Martin.
Whilst Guy may have finished his racing career (one of the naturals in my opinion) he is still involved in a number of interesting projects. His easy going, chatty style of "writing" and his various challenges, that he sets himself are all good fun and interesting to read about .
This is his third autobiography and like the others, is an easy read and yet good fun, giving an insight into the mind of one of Britain's best motorcycle racers, probably the best rider never to win a TT.
Phew back on my laptop so I can type properly, well sort of.
I have been a motorcyclist for too many (39 - omg) years, and on and off a follower of Motorcycle racing, whether The IoM TT, Moto GP(as it is known now) or even something like the Trans-Atlantic Trophy (they were the days). In all that time, having tried it once (never again) I have grown to have the utmost admiration for those brave men (read lunatics) who race motorcycles.
Of those brave men (lunatics) I have followed the careers of a few and supported them whenever I could, namely the late great Barry Sheene, (Rocket) Ron Haslam, Tony Rutter, Joey Dunlop and of course Guy Martin.
Whilst Guy may have finished his racing career (one of the naturals in my opinion) he is still involved in a number of interesting projects. His easy going, chatty style of "writing" and his various challenges, that he sets himself are all good fun and interesting to read about .
This is his third autobiography and like the others, is an easy read and yet good fun, giving an insight into the mind of one of Britain's best motorcycle racers, probably the best rider never to win a TT.
July 13, 2020
Guy Martin ir kolorīts cilvēks, un visiem, kas interesējas par motocikliem un moto sacensībām, Isle of Man TT un viņa vārds nebūs sveši. Man patika lasīt viņa piedzīvojumus, kad pēc 2. mugurkaula salaušanas avārijā paņēmis atvaļinājumu no motosacensībam apciemo savus radus Latvijā!, nobrauc gandrīz 3 tūkstošu jūdžu garās velo sacencībās pa Amerikas kalniem, lauž ātrumu rekordu uz Wall of Death, pavizinās pa Nāves ielejas sālsezeru ar dažādiem transportlīdzekļiem.... Bet tā jau ir parasts cilvēks viņa paša vārdiem.
"It's the negative thoughts that will stop someone from finishing a ride like this. The negative thoughts; broken bones; being attacked by a grizzly bear; having your calf muscle chewed off by a stray dog; riding off the side of a cliff; sunstroke; dehydration; hypothermia.... but mainly the negative thoughts."
"It's the negative thoughts that will stop someone from finishing a ride like this. The negative thoughts; broken bones; being attacked by a grizzly bear; having your calf muscle chewed off by a stray dog; riding off the side of a cliff; sunstroke; dehydration; hypothermia.... but mainly the negative thoughts."
April 23, 2018
This book was a last resort having run out of my books for holiday reading and a 5 hour plus 1.5 hour flights ahead of me to get home.
I’m glad I read it. It was easy to read as it was pretty much written in the way Guy Martin speaks with warmth, passion and humour mixed with modesty and pride. Do not be deterred by some of the detail regarding the mechanics / engineering side of things, skip over them or learn something new.
My favourite chapter was his account of doing the Great Divide Mountain Bike Trail from Banff in Canada to Antelope Wells in Mexico, about 2700 miles. He did it in under 20 days on his bike. It reminded me of walking 500 miles of the Camino carrying all that you need often reliant in strangers. I didn’t sleep in campsite toilets or out in the wild and didn’t have to worry about bears, though there were wild dogs to be aware of; all the same each of them are feats of endurance. He lost on the route some of his negative beliefs about people and found kindness and care for him the stranger.
I will go on to read his other books. I should add that my last motorbike was a Kawasaki Zephyr 750. I might be feeling my age but I still yearn a little for a bike and love to watch the TT, especially as I live 5 minutes walk down the road to the bottom of Bray Hill.
I’m glad I read it. It was easy to read as it was pretty much written in the way Guy Martin speaks with warmth, passion and humour mixed with modesty and pride. Do not be deterred by some of the detail regarding the mechanics / engineering side of things, skip over them or learn something new.
My favourite chapter was his account of doing the Great Divide Mountain Bike Trail from Banff in Canada to Antelope Wells in Mexico, about 2700 miles. He did it in under 20 days on his bike. It reminded me of walking 500 miles of the Camino carrying all that you need often reliant in strangers. I didn’t sleep in campsite toilets or out in the wild and didn’t have to worry about bears, though there were wild dogs to be aware of; all the same each of them are feats of endurance. He lost on the route some of his negative beliefs about people and found kindness and care for him the stranger.
I will go on to read his other books. I should add that my last motorbike was a Kawasaki Zephyr 750. I might be feeling my age but I still yearn a little for a bike and love to watch the TT, especially as I live 5 minutes walk down the road to the bottom of Bray Hill.
June 18, 2022
Guy is the man I enjoy watching on tv the most. So down to earth and does challenges he finds interesting or will stretch him personally.
He just wins at life and that will do for me.
The second of his books I’ve read and I’ve seen all his tv shows.
Makes me smile to think that every Monday he’s back mending trucks in the yard.
I’ve you like reading about others challenging themselves and / or have an interest in cars I’d read the book. You will find yourself randomly smiling at different passages. He’s just that kind of bloke.
He just wins at life and that will do for me.
The second of his books I’ve read and I’ve seen all his tv shows.
Makes me smile to think that every Monday he’s back mending trucks in the yard.
I’ve you like reading about others challenging themselves and / or have an interest in cars I’d read the book. You will find yourself randomly smiling at different passages. He’s just that kind of bloke.
June 21, 2022
One of the best books ever. Books are good if you know the people they are about and I know Guy really well. I'm interested in the things he's interested in like big trucks, cycling, working on cars and doing things in old fashioned ways. I like watching his programs too, I'm nearly through them all. One day I'd like to meet up with him and go on a bike ride. 🚴 - AJH (age 7)
December 29, 2016
Always love reading about Guy's no-nonsense approach to life and amazed at some of the things he's done.
October 5, 2017
The first thing I have to mention is that I have the hardcover of this book, when I read a hardcover I remove the dust jacket so it doesn't get damaged, without the dust jacket this is the best looking book I have seen, its gloss black with Guy Martins skull and spanners logo in gold on the front and back and Guy Martin with Worms To Catch in between his name down the spine and just looks fantastic
Anyway that's enough about aesthetics, now to the book, This is Guy Martins 3rd autobiography from August 2015 to September 2016 (with the newest edition going to January 2017) and I would heavily advise reading his first autobiography Guy Martin: My Autobiography which is from 1981 to 2014 and then his 2nd Guy Martin: When You Dead, You Dead which is 2014 to August 2015 before reading this one as there is a lot of prior knowledge those books will impart which, although isn't necessarily needed, will greatly improve this books reading experience. This book starts exactly where his previous one finishes
From late 2015 to basically 2017 Guy Martin was essentially retired from road racing, after breaking his spine (for the 2nd time in 5 years) at the 2015 Ulster GP in August so there isn't much if any to interest a road racing fan, but you do learn more about his family, specifically his granddad on his mothers side, who was a Latvian who emigrated to England after being forced to fight for the Nazi’s in WW2 (the other option was execution and ‘punishment’ for his family)
Other than his trip to Latvia, the majority of his time was spent training and participating in mountain bike races and doing television work which although I did find interesting I cannot hide my disappointment about the lack of motorbike racing, I knew that he missed the 2016 IoM TT but I didn't realise he didn't race at all as it would risk injury before entering the Tour Divide, a 2745 mile pushbike race from Canada to the Mexican border which takes place over the same 2 weeks as the IoM TT. Around 1/6th of the book (50-60 pages in my edition) is taken up by the Tour Divide, I wont spoil anything about Guy’s progress but the quickest time set that year was 13 days, 22 hours and 51 minutes (around 200 miles a day, for 2 weeks) by a man called Mike Hall which if you don’t find impressive then you must not have understood what I just typed
Other focal points of the book are his live Wall of Death speed record attempt, his attempt at breaking the motorbike world speed record and breaking the van world speed record, even without road racing he had a very eventful year
Anyway that's enough about aesthetics, now to the book, This is Guy Martins 3rd autobiography from August 2015 to September 2016 (with the newest edition going to January 2017) and I would heavily advise reading his first autobiography Guy Martin: My Autobiography which is from 1981 to 2014 and then his 2nd Guy Martin: When You Dead, You Dead which is 2014 to August 2015 before reading this one as there is a lot of prior knowledge those books will impart which, although isn't necessarily needed, will greatly improve this books reading experience. This book starts exactly where his previous one finishes
From late 2015 to basically 2017 Guy Martin was essentially retired from road racing, after breaking his spine (for the 2nd time in 5 years) at the 2015 Ulster GP in August so there isn't much if any to interest a road racing fan, but you do learn more about his family, specifically his granddad on his mothers side, who was a Latvian who emigrated to England after being forced to fight for the Nazi’s in WW2 (the other option was execution and ‘punishment’ for his family)
Other than his trip to Latvia, the majority of his time was spent training and participating in mountain bike races and doing television work which although I did find interesting I cannot hide my disappointment about the lack of motorbike racing, I knew that he missed the 2016 IoM TT but I didn't realise he didn't race at all as it would risk injury before entering the Tour Divide, a 2745 mile pushbike race from Canada to the Mexican border which takes place over the same 2 weeks as the IoM TT. Around 1/6th of the book (50-60 pages in my edition) is taken up by the Tour Divide, I wont spoil anything about Guy’s progress but the quickest time set that year was 13 days, 22 hours and 51 minutes (around 200 miles a day, for 2 weeks) by a man called Mike Hall which if you don’t find impressive then you must not have understood what I just typed
Other focal points of the book are his live Wall of Death speed record attempt, his attempt at breaking the motorbike world speed record and breaking the van world speed record, even without road racing he had a very eventful year
November 4, 2017
Not just a tv wanker (his words). Maybe a mistake starting with book 3 of his, as he does mention the other ones a fair bit, but don't think it took anything away from the experience of this one, and does make me want to go and read the other two (hopefully in the correct order)
Really down to earth guy who admits he just does stuff for his own pleasure, and is privileged to get it paid for by a film crew too, opportunities too good to pass up so why not. Details just a year of his life - and he gets up to fair amount in that year. There's a trip to Latvia to find out more about about his family history, a lot of training for the wall of death and the attempt itself, a large chunk of the book is about the preparation for and attempt at the Tour Divide (2745 mile pedal bike race of the US). He also tricks out a transit van and make a speed attempt with that in Vegas, as well as a bike speed attempt at the legendary Bonneville salt flats. More than most will ever manage in a lifetime, and he did all that in just over a year!
For examples of just how down to earth he is he's not bothered about telling you his sleeping choices while on the Tour Divide, sometimes breaking into toilets in campsites to get some kip, or lack of hygiene - only washing a few times the whole trip so was definitely on the ripe side when he encountered some of the locals, all who were very neighbourly (despite not even knowing who he was so shows they are just like that and not doing it because he was slightly famous) and cooked for him or let him sleep in their sheds. And his many meal breaks - the amount of calories he had to consume he was stopping whenever he found food, and eating anything he could get his hands on, measuring the weight of cakes to get the heaviest ones which would give him the most calories, or having a whole pizza then a second for dessert. And then as soon as he finished the Tour Divide he could have had a well earned rest, but not Guy, he sorted an earlier flight home just so he could get back to the Lorry Mechanic day job earlier.
What a Guy!
Really down to earth guy who admits he just does stuff for his own pleasure, and is privileged to get it paid for by a film crew too, opportunities too good to pass up so why not. Details just a year of his life - and he gets up to fair amount in that year. There's a trip to Latvia to find out more about about his family history, a lot of training for the wall of death and the attempt itself, a large chunk of the book is about the preparation for and attempt at the Tour Divide (2745 mile pedal bike race of the US). He also tricks out a transit van and make a speed attempt with that in Vegas, as well as a bike speed attempt at the legendary Bonneville salt flats. More than most will ever manage in a lifetime, and he did all that in just over a year!
For examples of just how down to earth he is he's not bothered about telling you his sleeping choices while on the Tour Divide, sometimes breaking into toilets in campsites to get some kip, or lack of hygiene - only washing a few times the whole trip so was definitely on the ripe side when he encountered some of the locals, all who were very neighbourly (despite not even knowing who he was so shows they are just like that and not doing it because he was slightly famous) and cooked for him or let him sleep in their sheds. And his many meal breaks - the amount of calories he had to consume he was stopping whenever he found food, and eating anything he could get his hands on, measuring the weight of cakes to get the heaviest ones which would give him the most calories, or having a whole pizza then a second for dessert. And then as soon as he finished the Tour Divide he could have had a well earned rest, but not Guy, he sorted an earlier flight home just so he could get back to the Lorry Mechanic day job earlier.
What a Guy!
June 20, 2024
A refreshing read.
Guy Martin is a legend, he's a straight talking grafter and id living his best life.
I admire his attitude to work/life balance.
He portrays life exactly as he sees it, no bullshit, just says it as it is.
Life is not a straight line, the best laid plans don't always go to plan, that doesn't meant that you should stop, pack up and do something else. It means that you should take a time-out and re-evaluate where you are and where you want to be.
Getting lost or cocking up is just life, get up, look around, make an adjustment and carry on, one foot in front of the other.
A must read.
Guy Martin is a legend, he's a straight talking grafter and id living his best life.
I admire his attitude to work/life balance.
He portrays life exactly as he sees it, no bullshit, just says it as it is.
Life is not a straight line, the best laid plans don't always go to plan, that doesn't meant that you should stop, pack up and do something else. It means that you should take a time-out and re-evaluate where you are and where you want to be.
Getting lost or cocking up is just life, get up, look around, make an adjustment and carry on, one foot in front of the other.
A must read.
August 6, 2018
If you are interested in engines, fast motorbikes and vehicles and mechanics this is the book for you. I'm not so found it a bit of a struggle. I am a cyclist though and found the section on Guy's cycling of the Tour Divide interesting and inspiring but that is only about half the book. But even that half is still written in a style marked by short sentences, minimal reflection and description. A style I found difficult to engage with.
January 6, 2019
Just what I would have expected from Guy Martin. What you see is what you get. He is down to earth and says things as he sees them. The other thing he is is hard as nails. A veritable human dynamo and unshakable when he wants to go for something. I can understand why everyone wants to meet him and shake his hand. I can also understand that with his personality and Asperger’s traits why he hates that so much. A great read.
January 11, 2019
Guy Martin seems to be a really genuine bloke and that's what comes across best in this book
Whilst being one of the most talented Motorcycle Road Racers ever he still seems to be happiest when doing his day job of being a Lorry Mechanic
I really enjoyed reading about his latest challenges in this book and he sums it up at the end by saying "thanks for being interested enough in my life to read about it"
Top bloke... Top read
Whilst being one of the most talented Motorcycle Road Racers ever he still seems to be happiest when doing his day job of being a Lorry Mechanic
I really enjoyed reading about his latest challenges in this book and he sums it up at the end by saying "thanks for being interested enough in my life to read about it"
Top bloke... Top read
March 18, 2019
Kāda vīrieša vairāku nozīmīgu sportisko notikumu stāsti. Viss sākās ar kritienu ar motociklu, kā rezultātā viņš salauž mugurkaulu. Turpmākais tad tā ietekmē - operācija, atveseļošanās, atgriešanās pie moto lietām, brauciens ar velo pāri Amerikai, kas man šķita viens no interesantākajiem pasākumiem, jo laikam man vistuvākais. Pārējās auto un moto lietas šķita garlaicīgas, jo daudz tehnisku detaļu par mašīnu būvēšanu.
March 16, 2021
I was given this for Christmas as I had enjoyed reading Guy's first book and am a fan.
I had seen the TV programs talked about in the book and Guy went into more detail about his record attempts. A significant part of the book details his taking part in the Tour Divide, a cycle ride starting in the Rocky Mountains and across the US down to the Mexico border although I did this find this a bit boring and overlong.
I had seen the TV programs talked about in the book and Guy went into more detail about his record attempts. A significant part of the book details his taking part in the Tour Divide, a cycle ride starting in the Rocky Mountains and across the US down to the Mexico border although I did this find this a bit boring and overlong.
July 7, 2017
A brilliant read as always. I love reading Guy Martin books because I find the things he talks about interesting and he writes them like he talks, so they are easy to read and digest. This one in particular sparked an interest for me because of the bike ride he talks about for a large part of the book. Vert enjoyable and I hope there are more to come!
February 20, 2021
A really enjoyable down to earth book to read. Fun and interesting with no frills.
It's nice to take a minute and read about a guy who has stepped aside from competitive bike racing - but pushing ourselves is in our blood, and we don't stop, we just started pushing ourselves in other ways, whether that be other machines or human powered.
It's nice to take a minute and read about a guy who has stepped aside from competitive bike racing - but pushing ourselves is in our blood, and we don't stop, we just started pushing ourselves in other ways, whether that be other machines or human powered.
February 20, 2017
This reads just as Guy talks - and he's never a man to refer to a spade as a digging implement.
Borrowed from my mother (honestly) I have to agree with her that some bits got a bit too technical and I skipped the odd paragraph - but otherwise fascinating, especially the section of the Tour Divide.
Borrowed from my mother (honestly) I have to agree with her that some bits got a bit too technical and I skipped the odd paragraph - but otherwise fascinating, especially the section of the Tour Divide.
March 4, 2017
Another entertaining read by the truck mechanic. He is prone to rambling and page filling at times though. Then I was really confused by the frequent statements about retiring from road racing when I found out he is doing the TT again this year!
October 29, 2020
Another brilliant read. Guy’s mental strength and ability to endure what he challenges himself with in life are a real inspiration. A fantastic read that once again is really refreshing given Guy’s no-messing, to-the-point honestly and perspectives.
June 26, 2017
Just such a motivational read! loved it
July 15, 2017
He's no messer!
Love all the stuff Guy Martin has done for tv., this is him explaining his experiences of making the shows and his life in between.
Love all the stuff Guy Martin has done for tv., this is him explaining his experiences of making the shows and his life in between.
August 20, 2017
Read some time after I'd watched the TV series, book was better. Tour Divide was epic
September 26, 2017
Another great book from Guy Martin. written in his very easy to read style with stories of his no bulls***t life choices. Even if you have never seen or heard of Guy you will enjoy this book.
September 26, 2017
Stunning as usual
November 2, 2017
Can't wait for the next instalment!
February 19, 2019
The section on the Tour divide was interesting but the rest I know about from watching him on Channel 4. Not his best.
July 16, 2019
Great description of the Great Divide tour. 2000+ miles on a mountain bike.
August 6, 2019
I enjoyed like 70% of this really badly, but the first part wasn’t that good. However I loved how it gave it background information on the shows of his.
October 13, 2019
Simply written and 'mega' content. Such an interesting mindset to discover.
October 27, 2019
Really enjoyed this one from guy. It has a lot of technical details in it but I found it all really interesting. Really loved the stuff about the tour divide. Great read from a great guy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews