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It's All About the Bike: The Pursuit of Happiness On Two Wheels
 
 

It's All About the Bike: The Pursuit of Happiness On Two Wheels [Kindle Edition]

Robert Penn
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)

Print List Price: £8.99
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Product Description

Review

Gem of a book (Economist )

Penn writes with a Bill-Brysonesque facility for concentrating a lot of information and research into an easy-to-read ... Best of all ... his account enriches your enjoyment of a ride (Tim Dawson, Cycle Guy Sunday Times )

Fantastic ... Well worth a read if, like me, you love cycling! (Paul Smith )

Artfully, Penn turns his quest for hardware ... into a worldwide spin around cycling and its culture (William Fotheringham Guardian )

The pages overflow with pioneers, mavericks and geniuses - certainly, it is hard to imagine anyone who reads this book being able to buy a bike "off the peg" again (Tim Lewis Observer )

I've just spent a week pedalling slowly from Windermere to Aviemore with a copy of Penn's zealous eulogy in my pannier. His infectious admiration for the exhilarating sociability of cycling, coupled with reverence for quality craftsmanship, made highly engaging company ... appreciate the wit and enthusiasm of this unusual odyssey (James Urquhart Independent )

Penn tells us that the bicycle, as we know it, was invented in 1885 and is the most efficient form of transport ever devised... A joyful book (William Leith The Scotsman )

Bike-lit is booming, and while 'cross-country hardtail' might not have the same ring to it as 'penny-farthing', there's evidently little to do with cycling about which Robert Penn can't wax lyrical. Whether his subject is spokes or saddle sores, he is relentlessly enthusiastic... Penn's amiability is puncture-proof (Stephanie Cross Daily Mail )

[H]is adrenalin-charged enthusiasm... delivers a good ride... The social history is snappy and his almost religious quest for ultimate craftsmanship full of wit. (James Urquhart Financial Times )

Review

Gem of a book Economist Penn writes with a Bill-Brysonesque facility for concentrating a lot of information and research into an easy-to-read ... Best of all ... his account enriches your enjoyment of a ride -- Tim Dawson, Cycle Guy Sunday Times Fantastic ... Well worth a read if, like me, you love cycling! -- Paul Smith Artfully, Penn turns his quest for hardware ... into a worldwide spin around cycling and its culture -- William Fotheringham Guardian The pages overflow with pioneers, mavericks and geniuses - certainly, it is hard to imagine anyone who reads this book being able to buy a bike "off the peg" again -- Tim Lewis Observer I've just spent a week pedalling slowly from Windermere to Aviemore with a copy of Penn's zealous eulogy in my pannier. His infectious admiration for the exhilarating sociability of cycling, coupled with reverence for quality craftsmanship, made highly engaging company ... appreciate the wit and enthusiasm of this unusual odyssey -- James Urquhart Independent Penn tells us that the bicycle, as we know it, was invented in 1885 and is the most efficient form of transport ever devised... A joyful book -- William Leith The Scotsman Bike-lit is booming, and while 'cross-country hardtail' might not have the same ring to it as 'penny-farthing', there's evidently little to do with cycling about which Robert Penn can't wax lyrical. Whether his subject is spokes or saddle sores, he is relentlessly enthusiastic... Penn's amiability is puncture-proof -- Stephanie Cross Daily Mail [H]is adrenalin-charged enthusiasm... delivers a good ride... The social history is snappy and his almost religious quest for ultimate craftsmanship full of wit. -- James Urquhart Financial Times

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 2816 KB
  • Print Length: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin (29 July 2010)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B003YUC0JC
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #27,720 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
80 of 83 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars No really, it IS all about the bike! 30 July 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased this after having watched the TV documentary of the same name and i was not let down!
I had some initial reservations about watching the programme, city guy moves to wales to rediscover himself and finds cycling in the process, it has british movie industry written all over it! The lifelong passion for the bike that was revealed however left me once again chiding my own preconceptions, and yet another inward promise to be more open minded and less reactionary!
Obviously the book fleshes out the broad strokes painted on the tv, but the passion and almost reverence that comes across is a joy to read. Clever writing prevents the book going the way of a sentimental eulogy to craftsmen passed, and instead reveals a soaring demand for the bespoke bike, albeit for a very different user. As a cyclist myself i was particularly gratified to learn that the principal aim of the author attaining his dream bike was to ride it all the time, celebrating it through use, and not just having it as another expensive accessory, (penn himself compares the skill and artistry of a framebuilder to that of a watchmaker or tailor)thus needing it to be absolutely perfect in every detail. Any jealousy at the author having the time and money to be able to trek globally in order to acquire the components for his dream bike are soon forgotten thanks to the total passion that is revealed for every detail of the bike through very skilled writing. It's always gratifying to connect with a fellow bikie, even if through the pages of book, and i was very pleased to see that i already own most of his selected reading!
If you like cycling, buy this book.
If you like travel, buy this book.
If you want a dollop of inspiration to get you back on your own bike, buy this book.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic and inspirational! 8 April 2011
Format:Hardcover
I bought this after reading an excerpt in a craft magazine.
Having just started cycling regularly again, and planning some touring, this was perfectly timed to inspire me to look beyond what my LBS offers.
Firstly, this book combines a great potted history of bikes and cycling with Robert's personal quest for his ultimate bike. The historical stuff is all very interesting and well presented, never boring, and overall very informative while remaining fun.
On to the inspiring stuff: I have been planning to invest in a proper touring bike, and had a shortlist of four or five - none hand-built, all from my LBS - when I picked this book up. Whilst I do. It have the time, money nor inclination to travel and research in the same way, I am now far more aware of the components and how they are made, and what the true functions are.
Wile I don't have the money for e Rourke frame - the builder Robert chose for his frame - I searched out one of the other frame builders he mentioned, and am planning a visit to Bob Jackson's workshop and shop in Leeds soon (I am currently selling like mad on eBay to fund the new bike!) and am as yet not certain if I will be able to buy a custom frame or not.
The information Robert presents is both incredibly interesting and useful - this book has been the most useful tome whilst I consider my next push-iron.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is planning to spend good money on a bike, anyone with an interest in bikes, and anyone who cycles regularly.
Simply brilliant!
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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Rob's enthusiasm, not just for bikes, but also for the climate their innovation has created, springs out of this book. I enjoyed the people he met - the kinds of people who for me become legends in their determined application of skill, creativity and other nuttiness. Tripping along with him as he watched a welder, I found myself halfway through a piece of fairly complex engineering, only to find that I still understood and I could feel and in some way touch the simplicity and development of the technology. I'm not an engineer, so I love a book that takes me back to fettling in the garage with my Dad. Magic.

Connecting me with the heartbeat of our talented forbears (the British contributors to the development of cycling) , their sharing of genius with those across borders, and to their present incarnations, makes me feel hopeful for Britain too - and that's a gift for me. Ta, Rob.

My only problem with the book is that I unwittingly read it without thinking of the obvious result - that the discomfort of my own bike - and the reasons for that - is now achingly clear, and I guess I might just see if I can find a local frame-maker.... and some cash... :-)
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book and then get out and ride! 10 Aug 2011
Format:Paperback
This book was a very, very fun read. In a former life, some 20 years and 50 pounds ago, I rode, raced and worked in a bike shop. Robb's story reminded me of the pure fun, enjoyment and joy that I find in riding my bicycle. I pulled out my old Bianchi, tuned it up and have looged some 500 miles since mid June. I encourage everybody to get back on there bikes to just ride and live!

Oh, and watch the one hour BBC special based on this book. You can find it on YouTube.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired 20 Dec 2010
By dento
Format:Hardcover
Very simply this book is a wonderful exploration of the bicycle and the building of the dream bike. An inspiration for any enthusiast and a great read. I never watched the TV programme so cannot report on how it compared but enjoyed the book very much. The only problem is I now want my own version of the dream bike!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good read. I watched the film on youtube too. Great
Great read very interesting and couldn't put it down lots of interesting views about different parts of a bike. Brill!
Published 17 days ago by Graham P Turner
3.0 out of 5 stars Reading material
Was recommended to me and I bought it for a cyling friend so did not get a chance to read it myself so can only say it is a good read as recommended to me
Published 1 month ago by R. Yates
4.0 out of 5 stars Re affirmation
Having gone through a similar process of acquiring a custom built road bike, discovering that this level of two wheeled fetishism was not unique was actually quite refreshing, the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Surfer Nomad
5.0 out of 5 stars All about the bike
Great book recommended by mr Browning, learnt a lot and amusing too

Great for the history of my new hobby or fascination and also taught me some of the correct terms... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mallibon
5.0 out of 5 stars what a lucky man
As others have said its all about a passion for creating his perfect bike, but the other themes running behind this passion make this book all the more interesting. Read more
Published 2 months ago by JP
5.0 out of 5 stars For cyclists it's a great read
If you have any interest in cycling read this one even a non cyclists will enjoy the story of one man's passion for his hobby
Published 3 months ago by mcmenamb
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant present for any bike enthusiast
I chose this a present for a good friend and He loved it, read it in one evening. A definite recommendation; I hope to read it in the future and so gain some biking knowledge!
Published 5 months ago by miss n coates
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Just like the tv programme, this book is excellent. The level of detail is superb and the authors enthusiasm knows no bounds
Published 5 months ago by Pete Dickinson
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful tale about the bicycle
The author build his bike step by step. Each chapters about different components of the bike frame, headsets etc... Read more
Published 7 months ago by lowlander
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic and Charming
I don't know how I came across this book, but a great find. As someone who just started commuting everyday by (new) bike and quickly becoming a bike nut, it was fantastic intro... Read more
Published 7 months ago by MumbleNut
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Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. (Albert Einstein) &quote;
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