Need for the Bike

Cyclists are full of contradictions — and that’s exactly what makes Need for the Bike such a joy to read. Paul Fournel captures all the strange, funny, painful, and addictive truths about life on two wheels, starting with that first childhood moment when riding feels like pure magic.

From the thrill of climbing to the misery of crashing, from getting lost to rediscovering familiar roads, Fournel puts into words the feelings every cyclist knows but rarely says out loud. He writes about the smells, the sounds, the friendships, the solitude, the suffering, and the freedom — all the tiny details that make riding a bike feel like taking ownership of the world around you.

This isn’t a training manual or a technical guide. It’s a celebration of cycling’s soul — a collection of reflections, paradoxes, and beautifully observed moments that remind us why we ride, why we keep riding, and why we can’t imagine stopping. For anyone who’s ever felt that mix of joy and madness that comes with turning the pedals, this book hits home.