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Riding Man
 
 

Riding Man [Kindle Edition]

Mark Gardiner
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

Digital List Price: £6.41 What's this?
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Product Description

Product Description

For 100 years, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races have been the world's most dangerous organized sporting event. As one of the thirty thousand fans who attended the annual spectacle, Mark Gardiner harbored no illusions about his own skill or bravery. He was, however, an avid motorcyclist and the race represented a boyhood dream. He went home, quit his job, sold everything he owned and returned to the Island to race there himself.

Riding Man is the account of an Everyman, struggling to qualify for -- and survive -- the TT races. If you're a dreamer, the lesson this book is that he pursuit of any worthwhile goal involves risks, rewards and, almost inevitably, some regrets. If you're not a dreamer, the lesson is more important: the deepest regrets are always over risks not taken.

What readers say...

It's a fascinating story, and I highly recommend it.
–Jay Leno


Well I just got back from my 14,000 mile road trip on my st 1300 which was spectacular and sat down and finished your book.I really enjoyed it and am telling all my biker friends to read it. There is so much I can relate to and people you talk of. What great memories it brought back for me.
–Rich Schlachter, ex-Grand Prix privateer


Dear Mark, FINALLY got to read your book-- it's terrific! One of the best evocations of what it means to be a racer that I've ever read-- not Hollywood's stupid image, but the truth. Next time someone wants to know what racing's like, I'll tell them to read Riding Man.
–Perry King, Member AMA Board of Directors


I read it, nearly cover to cover, on the 5-hour flight home, and stayed up to finish. I thought it was fabulous. Peter Egan has nothing on you, mate. What an inspiring achievement!
–Ken Gross, Editor, Popular Mechanics, Playboy


I finished your story yesterday and I'm really asking what I'm going to read tonight! It's a privilege for me to write you. It was a delight, I loved it. I saw myself in you in many ways.... I was really there with you. Sorry for my English, I'd wish I could express myself with the same ease as French. You write very, very well. Please don't stop! You are an inspiration for me.
–Sebastien M.

I bought your book a few weeks ago, and read it over two nights while I was in a tech conference in SF. Needless to say, I loved it. Kept me on the edge of my seat (knee out, of course) and gave me serious goosebumps.
–Jim Race, MotoGPod.


Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 843 KB
  • Print Length: 246 pages
  • Publisher: bikewriter.com; First Digital Edition edition (8 Mar 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language English
  • ASIN: B004R9QPWC
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #67,300 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a brilliant book. Very readable, well written and perfectly balanced between technical information, descriptions of riding, history and back story. Despite his many achievements, Mark Gardiner manages to remain close to normal. A bit as if you or me had managed to get a AMA Pro license, and went off racing on the isle of Man. Inch by inch he tunes in his performance on the island, and describes it in a way that any reader can appreciate and imagine, as he doesn`t set himself apart or let on he was just born fast. He also showcases the TT and it`s history making one want to read and watch more about the races there.
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Amazon.com:  17 reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
A modern classic and a great read 15 Aug 2007
By M. Pinizzotto - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This is a totally compelling read. I admit, I'm not the biggest fan of motorcycles myself but a friend recommended it and said it was just a great story. He was right. This guy (the author, Mark Gardiner) is gutsy, funny, sensitive and smart. His narrative is self revealing and very endearing. One of the things I loved about the book is that I felt like he was talking directly to me the whole time.

I found myself amazed at the tenacity of the author for going for his lifelong dream to race in the world's most dangerous motorcycle race and inspired by his humble and realistic view of himself as just a regular guy. I don't know if he is, how many regular guys give up a successful career to do something like this? There were passages that made me cry and some that made me laugh out loud. I learned a lot about a sport that I barely understood prior to reading this and more about the people who love it. Mostly I appreciated the author's philosophy -- to do your best and to embrace the process without being attached to results. This book could well turn out to be a classic along the lines of "Zen and the Art of Archery" or "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", both of which are quoted at key points.

Basically, I fell in love with the book and this author when I read itRiding Man
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Zen racing between the hedges, and walls, and trees, and.... 21 Feb 2008
By S. Kohlscheen - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I'm not done with the book yet and it's already making me re-evaluate how I live life. Making me itch to do something more than just work to live/ride. I too have a passion for motorcycles, and racing. The TT and it's heroes(Mike the Bike, Joey, McCallen, DJ) always like real people who do extra-ordinary things. Mark is one of them, to me. I'd love to see a follow up book of his sketches of the course.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Compelling and fascinating 10 Nov 2007
By R. Worthington Dudewell - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I concur with the first review, this is an amazing book about a guy who understands that he is pursuing a crazy dream, and he makes the reader understand why, and walks the reader through the staggering difficulties. There is a DVD of this story, which I am going to get.
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When in doubt, gas it. This, to be honest, doesnt always solve the problem, but at least it ends the suspense. &quote;
Highlighted by 6 Kindle users
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But climbers and motorcycle racers need to make a constant series of decisionswe ask ourselves, Wheres the edge? and constantly need to confront the fact that after removing every possible variable were going to be left with this reality: the best performance is inherently the most dangerous one. This is the source of a unique kind of self-knowledge and an easy mutual respect between us. &quote;
Highlighted by 5 Kindle users
&quote;
fast-ness is like cool-ness: it comes to those who dont care and is particularly elusive when actively sought. &quote;
Highlighted by 5 Kindle users

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