On the Road Bike: The Search For a Nation’s Cycling Soul

On the Road Bike follows Ned Boulting as he heads off on a wonderfully messy, funny and heartfelt mission to figure out what cycling really means to Britain. After years of covering the Tour de France, he suddenly realises he doesn’t actually understand his own country’s cycling culture — so he grabs his bike and goes looking for answers.

His journey takes him all over the UK, meeting weekend riders, hardcore club cyclists, eccentric characters and everyday commuters who pedal through rain, traffic and the classic British grumble. With his trademark mix of curiosity and dry humour, Boulting digs into how a nation not exactly known for perfect weather somehow fell head‑over‑heels for life on two wheels.

Part travelogue, part social history and part mid‑life cycling adventure, this book is packed with sharp observations, warm storytelling and the kind of odd encounters only Ned could stumble into. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just bike‑curious, it’s a witty, insightful look at Britain’s unique cycling soul.