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On the Road Bike
- Narrated by: Ned Boulting
- Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Politics & Social Sciences, Social Sciences
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Summary
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.
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What listeners say about On the Road Bike
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- J. Singfield
- 23-06-13
Interesting & entertaining take on British Cycling
Any additional comments?
Ned's obvious interest in the subject, open personality and self deprecating humour make for a very enjoyable read. Of particular interest to cycling fans, especially those who've been involved in the Britain's less glamorous but charming past, but as it's more about people and their fascinating stories, there's enough to keep non cycling folk interested too.
I listened to it across a few longish Sunday rides (using bone conduction headphones so I could still hear the traffic). Most chapters stand up fine as individual pieces, but with a thread that links them together.
Some really interesting stories coupled with great writing and good narration made for a really good audiobook.
3 people found this helpful
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- L. Soden
- 30-11-16
British cycling - explained
A mis-mash of characters from the world of cycling presented in an interesting and intriguing fashion. Well written and excellently read by Boulting (minus the odd ropey accent!). Which makes no excuses for being a bit London centric and effectively unravels as a semi-autobiographical account of Neds time in the saddle with all his cycling buddies (many well know in the world of cycling). It does go into the depths of some very interesting characters and captures the spirit (as best it can) of cycling on the road in Britain.
1 person found this helpful
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- I
- 14-09-15
very good
great read and great listen definatley worth the price. Ned weaves a great tale and blends in self deprocating humour to a tee
1 person found this helpful
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- Alex Ingram
- 20-07-15
Ned's odyssey exploring a nation of bike nuts
Would you consider the audio edition of On the Road Bike to be better than the print version?
Ned Boulting's voice and performance lends this book a sense of innocence and wonder that is wholly captivating.
What did you like best about this story?
Ned's seemingly endless contacts book drew him to meet people involved in cycling in all levels, and all ways.
Have you listened to any of Ned Boulting’s other performances? How does this one compare?
This is right up there with the peak of Real Peloton. So probably on a par with the third episode (of 47).
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No, I preferred taking my time through the book and enjoying it over a couple of weeks on my morning and evening commutes.t
Any additional comments?
I'm disappointed there's no audiobook for any of Ned's other books as this is an exceptional performance, especially for Ned.
1 person found this helpful
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- DESMOND FLANNAGAN
- 06-07-15
A great book looking at the quirks of cycling
What made the experience of listening to On the Road Bike the most enjoyable?
Really well narrated and a good balance of funny chapters combined with real insight into the world of cycling and the very human world of the individual cyclist.
What was one of the most memorable moments of On the Road Bike?
Description of meet the Rapha boys and David Millars Mother
Any additional comments?
Overall a great book-
1 person found this helpful
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- TerryM
- 30-04-21
So good I listened twice
I love the humour, the honesty, and the breadth of this book, and in Ned's own self-deprecating voice.
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- Sparxesparks
- 31-12-20
Excellent
A great read and well narrated. Ned searches for a nation's cycling soul and certainly finds it.
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- Littlebricks
- 07-09-20
Great book with humour and great stories.
I enjoyed the history, and stories told well with humour. I could relate alot to my adventure on a bike.
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- Matthew Tipton
- 24-05-20
A wander into Quirkiness
Loved the look at the eccentrics and eccentricity of British cycling, and a walliw in the recentish successes. Highly recommended.
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- Dylan H. William
- 09-05-20
absorbing
This is a wonderful book, full of interesting stories and varied contributions, all summarised and framed in Ned's amusing, disarming and self-depricating style. Amusing, but at times poignant and thoughtful. I thoroughly enjoyed this canter through the history of British cycling and found myself endeared to the author and his pursuit of British cycling's soul. I was slightly worried that the age of the book would dilute its relevance given the developments in British cycling since it was published, but the look back at history was not diminished by this at all. I would certainly recommend.