Hey, cyclers! If you’re looking for a listen to motivate and energize you while you head out on a ride, these audiobooks are sure to get you pumped up. But whether you decide to listen on or off your bike, this list was curated especially for you. As the summer heats up, you might be looking for motivation to get out there on your bike and onto the streets—or maybe you’re plenty motivated already and just need tips and tricks to up your cycling game. Find the best cycling audiobook for you in the picks below, whether you’re a lifelong rider, a newbie, or any skill level in between.
If you’re a cycling fan and a cat lover and are not following @1bike1world on Instagram, you’d better remedy that immediately. Then, download Dean Nicholson’s book, Nala’s World. This is the 30-year-old Instagrammer's story of his bike trip around the world, and the little cat named Nala who became his unlikely cycling companion.
In 2018, amateur cyclist Jenny Graham left family and friends behind in Scotland to become the fastest woman to cycle around the world. Alone and unsupported, she crossed the finish
line at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin four months later, smashing the female record by nearly three weeks. Coffee First, Then the World is her account of a record-breaking ride, and how one woman and a humble bike conquered the world.
Alastair Humphreys’s two-part cycling epic has been brought together for the first time in one audiobook. In the author-narrated Around the World by Bike,Humphreys explains how, at the age of 24, he set off to cycle across all five continents—a journey spanning 46,000 miles and four years—on a budget of just £7,000 (less than 10K in US dollars).
Women cyclists, this empowering listen delivers all the inspiration you’ll ever need. Revolutions is the glorious history of women’s cycling, which all started as a political statement and a feminist act. Author Hannah Ross highlights the incredible accomplishments of women cyclists around the world, marveling at how women have done so much in the world of cycling, a culture that remains overwhelmingly male. And if you’ve ever felt discouraged by that fact, this book will uplift and motivate you.
So, you’re a bicycle enthusiast and an American history buff? Then, you're sure to be fascinated by Margaret Guroff’s The Mechanical Horse. This audiobook traces the history of cycling and its specific significance to American culture. As it turns out, the story of the bicycle in the USA is the story of a country with more mobility and wider horizons.
If you’re serious and ready to train for competitive cycling, Joe Friel’s The Cyclist’s Training Bible is the comprehensive guide you need. Whether you’re an aspiring cyclist or a more seasoned one, Friel has tips to help you train with the right intensity, gain the most possible from every workout, build muscular endurance, eat healthier to improve body composition and performance, and much more. Training plans, exercises, and graphics are included in the audiobook’s accompanying PDF.
As you can probably tell from the title, Michael Hutchinson's Faster is all about helping you increase your cycling speed. This is a great listen for more seasoned cyclists who are looking for something to give themselves an extra push. Moreover, this book examines why many cyclists find it so appealing to push themselves to go faster. But since it's narrated by the accomplished Simon Vance, you might want to listen and enjoy at a slower speed.
The Art of Cycling is the much-anticipated autobiography of Cadel Evans, the greatest Australian cyclist of all time. If you're a diehard cyclist, then you'll likely relate to some parts of Evans's story: his obsession with and love for cycling, his dedication to training, the frustrating lows, and the exhilarating highs. Evans lays out all of his experiences, from his beginnings as the youngest winner of a World Cup in mountain biking to his staying power as the oldest post-War winner of the Tour de France. Evans's story is an inspiring one that you'll want to listen to nonstop from start to finish.
Ever dreamed of being a pro-cycler? With humor, wit, and honesty, Phil Gaimon is here to tell you what it takes in his account, Pro Cycling on $10 a Day. For Gaimon, what started off as just a way to lose weight quickly became a lifestyle as he fell into racing and realized he had a talent for it. The author’s inspiring cycling story also serves as a guide (and a warning) to aspiring racers.
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of some of the world’s greatest cycle races, you won’t want to miss out on Carlton Kirby’s Magic Spanner. In this listen, the legendary Eurosport cycling commentator offers an insider’s view of life on the Grand Tours of cycling, including the Tour de France, Giro D'Italia, Vuelta a España, and more. It's all delivered in his signature witty and outrageous style, and, of course, the audiobook is expertly narrated by Kirby as well.
Cyclist Dervla Murphy named her bicycle after Don Quixote’s steed. And like Quixote himself, Murphy sets off on a daring adventure with her very own Rozinante. Full Tilt is Murphy’s inspiring true story of her cycling journey from Ireland to India. This is an exploration of her
love of cycling, but it’s also a celebration of the people she meets and the cultures she gets to experience. If you're seeking an uplifting story that will show you just how much a life of cycling can connect you to the world around you, listen to this audiobook.
Around the World in 80 Days is the story of Mark Beaumont's amazing achievement - one which redefines the limits of human endurance. It is also an insight into the mind of an elite athlete and the physical limits of the human body, as well as a kaleidoscopic tour of the world from a very unique perspective; inspired by Jules Verne’s classic adventure novel.
What would happen if you were cycling to the office and just kept on pedalling? Needing
a change, Mike Carter did just that. Following the Thames to the sea he embarked on an epic 5,000-mile ride around the entire British coastline—the equivalent of London to Calcutta. One Man and His Bike is the inspiring and very funny tale of the five months Mike spent cycling the byways of the nation.
If you’re a cycling fanatic who wants more of an inside scoop behind the lives of professional cyclists, listen to The Secret Race. This book is a hard look into the world of professional cycling—and the shocking truth behind the doping and cover-ups behind the scenes—from
former Olympic gold medalist Tyler Hamilton and New York Times best-selling author Daniel Coyle.
Now with 13 TT wins to his name, Michael Dunlop is a phenomenal competitor, and in this sensational autobiography Road Racer he reveals the highs and lows of racing, what it was like growing up part of a motorcycle dynasty and how that made him the incredible racing driver he is today.
We’ve already discussed how the world of cycling is overwhelmingly male. Many of the world’s most famous cyclists are also white. Yes, there are Black cyclists out there, but the cycling community doesn’t focus on their stories as often—which is why Major Taylor’s story is so important to remember. This forgotten cycling legend was a spiritual and athletic idol in his time. Not only was Taylor the fastest cyclist in America, but he also spoke out against racism and cruelty. Major Taylor’s cycling story is like no other, and it deserves to be heard.
Think you’re a runner and not a cyclist? Think again. Author Rachel Ann Cullen thought she’d found the answer to all of her life’s woes when she discovered running. It gave her strength, physically and mentally. Running was her therapy, her exercise, her identity. But when an injury left Rachel on the sidelines, preventing her from doing the one thing that had been the most beneficial to her mental health throughout the years, she knew she had to find something new. So she went down to her cellar, pulled out her old bike, and started cycling. And her life changed. A Midlife Cyclist is perfect for those who never thought they’d become cycling fanatics…until they did.
Training for a triathlon? You’ll definitely want to pick up this audiobook. Written and narrated by Triathlon Taren Gesell, it's perfect for any new triathlete who is looking to train on a bike specifically for endurance and to remain fresh for a run. For an added bonus, consider checking out Gesell’s Triathlon Nutrition Foundations, which will teach you how to fuel your body for race day.
