Live to Ride: Finding Joy and Meaning on a Bicycle

by Peter Flax

Overview

A visual celebration of the beauty and lure of bicycle culture by renowned cycling journalist Peter Flax

Live to Ride is an ode to cycling from one of the world’s most respected cycling journalists. The bicycle is one of the greatest inventions in human history. It can literally transport you to places you want to go—to your school or office, to the summit of a local hilltop, to some objective in your pursuit of fitness—but it can do more than that. A bicycle can also transport you to an entirely different mindset, a place where you can embrace the unexpected and live in the moment.

People are drawn to riding for many of the same reasons—to test themselves, find themselves, and express themselves. To find some peace and beauty. To inject fun and adventure into their busy lives.

Live to Ride is an illustrated gift book for those who love to bike. It’s for every type of cyclist—from mountain bikers, to commuters, to tourers and triathletes and beach cruisers and bikepackers and messengers. To wheelie kids, to vintage bike collectors. Author, Peter Flax, a celebrated cycling journalist, is here to show us that cycling should be inclusive—that all riders are connected in various, yet similar, ways.

Organized by theme, each one exploring what Flax believes are the shared reasons that people ride: Adventure, Speed, Utility, Nature, Competition, and Self-Expression. Within each chapter are interviews and profiles with a diverse list of famed riders, both legendary and contemporary. Also included is the ultimate destination ride, with a map, based on that chapter’s theme; and insider info like the one perfect bike; and essential gear that a rider needs to be in the know about. Modern and sleek in its design, and filled with a mix of photography and illustration, this is both a book any rider will cherish for years to come.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781648291319
Publisher:	Artisan
Publication date:	03/19/2024
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	56,980
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Peter Flax is a leader and major authority in the cycling field. A longtime cyclist himself, he writes about sports, adventure, and culture. He’s the editor in chief of The Red Bulletin, an international men’s active lifestyle magazine published by Red Bull; and is the former ed in chief of Bicycling Magazine, Runner’s World, and Backpacker.

Table of Contents

Introduction
 
Chapter 1 : Adventure
Main Profile
Lachlan Morton and the Meaning of the Alt Tour
Map Element
The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route
One Perfect Bike
Salsa Warbird
Essential Gear
            Apidura Frame Pack
History Element
            Riding into History
Mini Bios
            The Trailblazers
                        Leo Rogers
                        Marley Blonsky
                        Sven Tuft
 
Chapter 2 : Speed
Main Profile
            Filmmaker Lucas Brunelle is unapologetically fast and polarizing
Map Element
            Kamikaze
Three Perfect Bikes
Scott Gambler 900
            Benno RemiDemi
            Look T20
Essential Equipment
            Enve SES 7.8 wheels
            Giro Spherical
History Element
            Riding into History
Mini Profiles
            The Unifiers
                        Coryn Rivera Labecky
                        Chris Holmes
                        Greg LeMond
 
Chapter 3 : Utility
Main Bio
Chris and Melissa Bruntlett: Making cities around the world better for riders (and everyone else)
Map Element
            Copenhagen Cycle Tracks
            Cycle Superhighways
            Cykelslangen
            Cycle Tracks
            Green Routes
            Karen Blixens Plads
            Østerbro Tunnel
Three Perfect Bikes
            All-City Super Professional Single Speed
            Urban Arrow Family
            Gazelle Classic
Essential Equipment
            Alpha Pannier Backpack SMART
History Element
Riding Into History
Mini Bios
            The Unifiers
                        Phil Gaimon
                        Anne Hidalgo
                        Tamika Butler
 
Chapter 4 : Nature
Main Profile
Rebecca Rusch: The endurance athlete who became an explorer
Map Element
            Mckenzie River Trail
            Upper Trailhead
            Clear Lake
            Waterfall vistas
            Blue Pool
            Hot Springs
            Lush life
            Endgame
Two Perfect Bikes
            Yeti SB140
            Santa Cruz Chameleon
Essential Equipment
            Crank Brothers M19
History Element
            Riding Into History
Mini Bios
            The Unifiers
                        Sara Dykman
                        Ronnie Romance
                        Gary Fisher
 
Chapter 5 : Competition
Main Profile
            Kathryn Bertine: Fighting for women who race to get their share of the road
Map Element
            Alpe D’Huez
One Perfect Bike
            Colnago C64
Essential Equipment
            Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio
History Element
            Riding Into History
Mini Profiles
            The Unifiers
                        Shawn Morelli
                        Tim Johnson
                        Justin Williams
 
Chapter 6 : Self-Expression
Main Bio
            Richard Sachs: Portrait of an Artist
Map Element
            L’Eroica Medio
Four Perfect Bikes
            Pegoretti Responsorium
            Pashley Guv’nor
            Big Flyer 29
            BikeID Step-Through 7-Speed
Essential Equipment
            Chris King R45 hubs
            Paul Smith Cycling Jerseys
History Element
            Riding Into History
Mini Profiles
The Unifiers
                        Adam Myerson
                        Molly Cameron
                        Don Walker
 
Acknowledgements
Resources
Index
About the Author