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On the Road Bike

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About this listen

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.

©2013 Ned Boulting (P)2013 Random House AudioGo Cycling Social Sciences Funny
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Would you consider the audio edition of On the Road Bike to be better than the print version?

To hear an author read their own work always adds to the enjoyment of the story for me.

What other book might you compare On the Road Bike to, and why?

Mr Boulting's other books cover similar themes (cycling) and are of as high a quality

Have you listened to any of Ned Boulting’s other performances? How does this one compare?

He has not done any other audio books yet, however I hope he does.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

His telling of Maurice Burton's story was sad, however he discussed a range of histories with tact and grace. I laughed out loud when he was discussing the shoe incident at Rapha!

Any additional comments?

Please do more!

Brilliant history of British Cycling

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Listening to Ned Boulting is always interesting and it's great that he read his own book here - which is important. But the book lacked a bit of flow. Each chapter seemed pretty much unconnected to the one before and appeared to consist of just a series of interviews, told in the narrative style. While interesting in themselves didn't really fit together well enough to make a coherent book.

Ned's writing was a bit too flowery at time too, not that there's anything wrong with that it just seemed to come out of nowhere and disappear just as quickly.

It was rather strange listening to this book on the drive home then Ned commentating on the Tour de France highlights that night - a job to which he's well suited!

It's ok

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Superb stuff. Really interesting and informative informative to the relative cycling newbie I am but I suspect all, together with genuine LOL moments

Great fun!

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A Sheer must for all who love Cycling It is a very funny look in to Cycling

On the Road Bike

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A very interesting, funny and touching book about cycling. Ned Boulting (author and narrator) gives an insight into the world of bike riding. Whether that be ex riders, recreational riders and various other personalities. A must read for anyone with a passing interest in cycling.

Very enjoyable.

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