Two Wheels: Thoughts from the Bike Lane

by Matt Seaton

Seaton, Matt

Genres: Cycling, Nonfiction

250 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up from the book-swap pile at work and it's something I would otherwise likely not have given the time of day to. I ought to be the target audience - Guardian reader who's reached his 40s without so much as taking a driving lesson and, perhaps more relevantly, someone who does the sort of cycle mileage that leaves me thinking of wheels, handle bar grips, rear mechs and bottom brackets as 'consumables' in the same way as brake blocks, chains and tyres.

I can't help but find him too earnest for me though. Sometimes, his attitude to transport policy - which takes up the first 60 or so pages of the book - reminds me too much of Bertolt Brecht's line about dismissing the people and electing a new one.

Thankfully, the book improves when he gets onto other topics. His defence of the 'fixie' bike - I've never tried one but this article made me curious about giving it a go, the story of the early Tours de France and, in particular, the fact that its founder regarded derailleurs as cheating and insisted on people climbing up the Alps and the Pyrenees on single-speed bikes, for example, are worth a read. He's also good on the sheer joy of just setting off on a bike to get out of the city and being able to see the world at what feels like the right pace. Things don't fly past in the way they do if you're in a car, but neither does one have the sense of staring at the same damned scene for ages that can be the lot of the rambler.

There are a few sections that haven't aged terribly well. In particular, the multiple pieces lauding Lance Armstrong, interpolated with one about the downfall of another rider who turned out to be taking EPO as an illustration of the dangers of hero worship in a sport where it sometimes seems that everyone is cheating (in which case, is it really cheating? there is a part of me that wonders if Armstrong was really doing anything that most of his rivals weren't doing too. It is perhaps significant that while he was retrospectively stripped of his Tour de France wins, the organisers did not re-award those wins to anyone else...)

Anyway, it's hardly essential reading, but if a copy happens to land on your lap, it passes the time...

[Shahrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

What made me pick this book up? I was in a boring shop (all car parts and tools) and saw a sad lonely book in the reduction bin for 50p. How could I not rescue it from such a place.

About half way along I realised non-fact/news reporting isn’t really any different from writing a diary. It’s just a little glimpse inside the author’s brain on the subject at hand. Interesting how the articles slot together nicely to form a book, out of chronological printing order. There is a little repetition, but it’s not too annoying.

Refreshing to read a book by an enthusiast, but also very regular participant in said subject matter. I love that he is not elitist about it either. Just enjoying spreading his passion for cycling and welcoming new members (except perhaps at peak times lol). It has really reignited my own passion for the enjoyment of cycling. Took Me longer to read this book than it should have, as it kept stirring my my own memories of cycling adventures. Also I kept on stopping to look up people and events. Some like Heinz Stücke that I remembered. Also seen documentary on Lance cheating Armstrong. I wonder how gutted the author is about Lance Armstrong finally being outed as a cheat. He must have been devistated, judging from his glowing reviews on here.

So glad I read this book I can’t even tell you!

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a collection of the pieces that Matt Seaton has written over the years. It can be a bit of a mixed bag but a good read.

I give 3 and a half so rounded to 4

[Drillerkiller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bike anecdotes. A bit like World According to Clarkson, but with classier writing.