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Me, My Bike and a Street Dog Called Lucy
This new title from Bradt tells the inspiring and emotional story of Ishbel Holmes, also known as World Bike Girl , a Scottish-Iranian woman who became a champion racing cyclist in spite of having been abandoned by her family, and who set off on the adventure of a lifetime despite her lack of experience, money or equipment. Ishbel Holmes was determined to cycle the world but her journey took a completely unexpected turn when, despite her initial instincts not to, she rescued a street dog in Turkey. Ishbel was lost and alone when she started on her epic trip, but in Lucy found a companionship never previously known. Between the two there formed a deep bond and their relationship was followed and supported by thousands of readers online, before becoming a media sensation overnight when Ishbel put out a plea for help to transport Lucy to an animal shelter three hundred miles away. This heart-rending tale is about more than just the relationship between a woman and her dog. It is a testimony to the human spirit, overcoming present-day challenges and churning up long-buried and painful memories from Ishbel s earlier life. It is also a tale of adventure, one person s determination to cross an unfamiliar country by bike and the unforgettable scenes that greet her on the Turkey-Syria border and into Syria itself. And it is a loving portrait of Lucy, the street dog that was determined not to let Ishbel go and whose dogged persistence helped to break down the barriers around her heart and in so doing change her life in ways she had never imagined. Ultimately, this is a tale of love and healing, a modern fable that touches the soul and reminds us all of the need to belong.
- GenresCycling
180 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2018
3 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 19, 2019
Ishbel Holmes has had a rough upbringing. Her father left when she was young, and then her mother abandoned her because she didn’t seem to fit with her life. She was abused in the care system and survived through her tenacity. At the age of 21, she had a stark choice; die, or choose to live.
She chose the latter.
She made the decision to cycle the world even though she didn’t really have the resources or equipment to do it. Since then she has pedalled through 20 countries, cycled mountain passes and across salt plains all on a painfully small budget or sometimes no money at all. A spell cycling on the velodrome with the Iranian Team had some success but didn’t make her happy either. In Turkey though her solo ride around the world came to an end when a stray decided to follow her when she was cycling along. She assumed it was just following for a brief period of time. But it didn’t leave, even after she sprinted away, so in the end, she stopped and it caught her up. She set up camp, cooked food for herself and ate what she could. She saw the dog eating her leftovers and it lay down to sleep as she went to bed. Looking out the following morning, she couldn’t see it initially, but it was still there; perhaps she wasn’t going to be doing this alone after all.
So begins her adventures with this dog that she called, Lucy. She built a box to go on the front of the bike for her. The intention was to take her to an animal shelter where she could be properly cared for, and with the help of people all around the world on social media managed to get her there. However, there was something that didn’t quite add up with the shelter, so he headed back in the following day and took Lucy away. Now there were two of them for her to look after, once again people all around the world stepped in to help her and her new companion.
It is not the best-written book that I have read, but that is not the point of it. It is a heartwarming tale of a broken and abused woman whose four-legged companion opens her heart to a new world of possibilities. Lucy’s devotion to Ishbel heals her and shows her the positive side of humanity and this is what makes it a great book to read.
She chose the latter.
She made the decision to cycle the world even though she didn’t really have the resources or equipment to do it. Since then she has pedalled through 20 countries, cycled mountain passes and across salt plains all on a painfully small budget or sometimes no money at all. A spell cycling on the velodrome with the Iranian Team had some success but didn’t make her happy either. In Turkey though her solo ride around the world came to an end when a stray decided to follow her when she was cycling along. She assumed it was just following for a brief period of time. But it didn’t leave, even after she sprinted away, so in the end, she stopped and it caught her up. She set up camp, cooked food for herself and ate what she could. She saw the dog eating her leftovers and it lay down to sleep as she went to bed. Looking out the following morning, she couldn’t see it initially, but it was still there; perhaps she wasn’t going to be doing this alone after all.
So begins her adventures with this dog that she called, Lucy. She built a box to go on the front of the bike for her. The intention was to take her to an animal shelter where she could be properly cared for, and with the help of people all around the world on social media managed to get her there. However, there was something that didn’t quite add up with the shelter, so he headed back in the following day and took Lucy away. Now there were two of them for her to look after, once again people all around the world stepped in to help her and her new companion.
It is not the best-written book that I have read, but that is not the point of it. It is a heartwarming tale of a broken and abused woman whose four-legged companion opens her heart to a new world of possibilities. Lucy’s devotion to Ishbel heals her and shows her the positive side of humanity and this is what makes it a great book to read.
August 10, 2021
Me, My Bike and a Street Dog Called Lucy was a surprising read for me. I expected a story of a bicycle tour across Turkey with a dog. Ishbel Holmes wove many stories together as she crossed Turkey with Lucy, a street dog.
A common theme in bicycle touring books is how the experience transformed the author. Ishbel’s transformation spread well beyond her handlebars to those she encountered. Ishbel is a talented storyteller who transformed her life by facing the challenges in her past head-on. The author wove stories from her past with stories she experienced along the road. Together, they tell a compelling story of love, compassion, challenges, culture, danger, and joy.
“Things don’t always have the happy ending we want in life, but what’s important is how we use these moments to shape our future for the better and make the world a better place.” Ishbel Holmes
A common theme in bicycle touring books is how the experience transformed the author. Ishbel’s transformation spread well beyond her handlebars to those she encountered. Ishbel is a talented storyteller who transformed her life by facing the challenges in her past head-on. The author wove stories from her past with stories she experienced along the road. Together, they tell a compelling story of love, compassion, challenges, culture, danger, and joy.
“Things don’t always have the happy ending we want in life, but what’s important is how we use these moments to shape our future for the better and make the world a better place.” Ishbel Holmes
March 26, 2019
I heard Ishbel Holmes talking about her book on Radio 4. It was a fascinating insight into a very different world and it made me want to find out more. The book is heartwarming, funny and at times a difficult read - the way that domestic animals are treated in Turkey is eye opening. I have read that some people think this is not a well written book....this doesn't matter at all...the story speaks for itself. Ishbel wouldn't say what ultimately happened to Lucy on the radio - read the book and find out...it's worth it.
July 15, 2021
I was disappointed with this book. Ishbel judges others according to her own beliefs and does not appear to be able to see the world through others eyes. Do not read this book of you expect to learn about Turkey. As a cycle tourist I have only heard positive stories from those who have cycled there. This book makes it sound like a horrifying place to visit.
January 12, 2023
Loved the book, hate the way both were treated and Lucy made me 😭😭😭
September 6, 2023
What a brave resilient woman! I have followed the blog World Bike Girl but now that I read her book it is way more interesting! She is way way braver than me
June 4, 2019
Lovely story of self discovery and the love for a dog.
Part travel journal through Turkey, part autobiography explaining what brought her to the journey. This book draws you in and takes you on the bike ride with her.
Part travel journal through Turkey, part autobiography explaining what brought her to the journey. This book draws you in and takes you on the bike ride with her.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews