Cycle World

In 1982, at the age of just 23 and halfway through her architecture studies, Elspeth Beard left her family and friends in London and set off on a 35,000-mile solo adventure around the world on her 1974 BMW R60/6. Reeling from a recent breakup and with only limited savings from her pub job, a tent, a few clothes, and some tools, all packed on the back of her bike, she was determined to prove herself. She had ridden bikes since her teens and was well-traveled. But nothing could prepare her for what lay ahead.

In the tradition of The Boys in the Boat and Seabiscuit, a fascinating portrait of a groundbreaking but forgotten figure - the remarkable Major Taylor, the Black man who broke racial barriers by becoming the world’s fastest and most famous bicyclist at the height of the Jim Crow era.

With a candid authority that comes from over 25 years commentating on the world's biggest cycling races, legendary Eurosport commentator Carlton Kirby isn't afraid to tell it like it really is. Witty, outrageous and often outspoken, Magic Spanner is an insider's view of life on cycling's Grand Tours, including the Tour de France, Giro D'Italia, Vuelta a España and the classics, all delivered in the inimitable style for which Carlton has become globally famous.

Here is an explosive book that takes us, for the first time, deep inside a shadowy, fascinating, and surreal world of unscrupulous doctors, anything-goes team directors, and athletes so relentlessly driven to succeed that they would do anything—and take any risk, physical, mental, or moral—to gain the edge they needed to win. The Secret Race is a riveting, courageous act of witness from a man who is as determined to reveal the hard truth about his sport as he once was to win the Tour de France.

Echoes of Empires The story of human civilization is a tale of grandeur and ruin, of ambition and decay. Empires rise like celestial bodies, radiating power, culture, and influence, only to inevitably decline, leaving behind ruins and echoes that whisper across history. From the ancient Akkadian Empire to the global superpowers of today, the same patterns repeat, as if history is inscribed not in the randomness of events but in the very fabric of human nature.

The Motorcycle Diaries is Che Guevara's diary of his journey to discover the continent of Latin America while still a medical student, setting out in 1952 on a vintage Norton motorcycle together with his friend Alberto Granado, a biochemist. It captures, arguably as much as any book ever written, the exuberance and joy of one person's youthful belief in the possibilities of humankind tending toward justice, peace, and happiness.

Based on nearly 10 years of research in Italy, France, and Israel, including interviews with Gino Bartali's family, former teammates, a Holocaust survivor Bartali saved, and many others, Road to Valor is the first book ever written about the Italian cycling legend in English and the only book written in any language to fully explore the scope of Bartali's wartime work. An epic tale of courage, comeback, and redemption, it is the untold story of one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century.

The motorcycle was invented in 1885 when two visionary Germans decided to attach a small internal combustion engine to a bicycle. From that humble origin begins a remarkable story of technological innovation, record-setting, and the formation of a whole new subculture of society. People began racing motorcycles not long after their introduction. In grueling endurance races, an American company named Harley-Davidson rode to the front of the pack with a thunderous roar.

This book has both the Warrior of Llarn and the Theif of Llarn. Both stories are complete. These books are Sword & Planet classics from Gardner Francis Fox. Originally published in 1964, written as an homage to Edgar Rice Burrough's John Carter of Mars series. Gardner Francis Fox takes us to another world, where Alan Morgan, awakes on a planet countless distances from Earth. He has only his intelligence and his masterful swordplay to keep him alive. Llarn is a world of uncharted deserts where cities of incredible age lay broken and empty, destroyed long ago in the great War which had ...

Ditch the cookie-cutter programs. Smart Gains delivers a cutting-edge approach to strength training for serious lifters who want to harness the power of data and technology. Written for athletes, coaches, and performance-driven gym-goers, this book teaches you how to use heart rate variability, bar speed, sleep metrics, and AI-driven feedback loops to guide your training in real time. Whether you're chasing hypertrophy, strength, or sustainable performance, this system shows you how to adapt each week based on your actual recovery, not a fixed calendar. Inside, you'll learn to sync ...

"Exploring the Wheel of the Year" is a captivating journey into the depths of ancient traditions, modern spirituality, and the ever-turning cycles of nature. This enchanting book delves into the rich tapestry of the Wheel of the Year, a sacred calendar that weaves together the seasons, celestial events, and timeless rituals. From the vibrant energies of spring to the tranquil reflections of winter, each chapter invites readers to embrace the essence of each season, harmonizing their lives with the natural rhythms of the Earth. Embark on a voyage through the pages of this beautifully crafted...

Set on a planet in a parallel universe where magic is a reality, these three high fantasy novels from the Witch World series transport you to the eastern continent of Estcarp, illustrating why prolific author Andre Norton was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Contains Trey of Swords, Ware Hawk, and The Gate of the Cat.

"We are the people our parents warned us about" is the motto of the Bandidos, one of the world's most feared outlaw motorcycle gangs. For ten years, Steve Utah was a Bandidos insider. He arranged the security of their clubhouses. He 'cooked' ecstasy and ice for them. He was at meetings where interstate and overseas drug and weapons smuggling was planned. He saw stolen military weapons being sold. He witnessed vicious beatings, helped dump corpses.It all became too much and, in an attempt to regain control of his life, Utah resorted to the unthinkable....

“An amazing tale of an amazing journey, really makes me want to throw my leg over my crossbar and head off into the horizon.” “Brilliantly written and funny.” “The accomplishments of Chris on his epic journey is nothing short of awe inspiring.” In Part Two of Chris Pountney’s attempt to cycle around the world, a disaster in the Pacific Ocean soon forces a drastic change of plans. Can he find a way to recover from the setback and complete his mission to return to the little Chinese town of Mori, and in so doing complete a full circumnavigation of the planet using only his ...

Known, thanks to his racing style and attitude, for being one of road cycling's last romantics, Dan has always shied away from revealing too much about himself and his story. Now, having retired at the end of the 2021 season aged 35 and no longer bound by the constraints of the racing circuit, Dan feels the time is right to tell his story in the same forthright and honest manner that he rode his bike. This audiobook reflects Dan's generous and outspoken spirit, his resilience to pain, crashes, bad luck and, finally, his acceptance of destiny.

ILLUSTRATED IMAGES – FULL-COLOR PAGES INSIDE! A Beautifully Illustrated Introduction to the Magical World of Butterflies Why do butterflies have such colorful wings? How does a tiny caterpillar turn into a butterfly? What do they eat, and how long do they live? Butterfly Facts for Kids is a fun, visual, and engaging guide to one of nature’s most fascinating creatures. Packed with real science, colorful photos, and easy-to-understand explanations, this book is the perfect introduction for children curious about the world of butterflies. Whether your child is doing a school project, loves...

In the autumn of 2020 Ned Boulting (ITV head cycling commentator and Tour de France obsessive) bought a length of Pathé news film from a London auction house. All he knew was it was film from the Tour de France, a long time ago. Once restored it became clear it was a short sequence of shots from stage 4 of the 1923 Tour de France. No longer than 2.5 minutes long, it featured half a dozen sequences, including a lone rider crossing a bridge. Ned set about learning everything he could about the sequence – studying each frame, face and building – until he had squeezed the meaning from it.

We all know people who seem to move from success to success, with barely a pause or dip in between. They're always excited about the next big project or goal. When trouble comes, they land on their feet. They are role models and opinion makers who lead rewarding lives. In a world full of people who almost win, these are the few who do it repeatedly and consistently.

Welcome to the town of Willow Creek, where the laundry isn’t just clean — it’s magical. Eleven-year-old Sky is no ordinary kid. With bright red hair, quick wit, and a heart full of courage, she’s about to uncover a world beyond the spin cycle — where socks disappear, jeans vanish, and a mischievous Laundry Master threatens to unravel the fabric of both her town and a hidden magical realm. Join Sky and her friends Felix and Harper on a whirlwind adventure full of friendship, mystery, and magic. Are you ready to spin the cycle?

Earth-scientist Rocannon has been leading an ethnological survey on a remote world populated by three native races: the cavern-dwelling Gdemiar, the elvish Fiia, and the warrior clan, Liuar. But when the technologically primitive planet is suddenly invaded by a fleet of ships from the stars, rebels against the League of All Worlds, Rocannon is the only survey member left alive. Marooned among alien peoples, he leads the battle to free this newly discovered world - and finds that legends grow around him as he fights.