Product Description

Cycling is going through a revolution. Over half a million of us take to our bicycles every day and, as a result, the public image of cycling has been transformed. No longer the preserve of the marginal and eccentric few, it's now considered cool to travel on two wheels. Guardian journalist Matt Seaton is one of cycling's greatest advocates. An out-and-out bike nut, he rides to work during the week, races at the weekend and has even been known to attend transport policy conferences in between. In this collection, Seaton not only explores a nation's rediscovered love of cycling, he also investigates the issues that affect all cyclists, from potholes and town planning to cycling etiquette and aesthetics. Whether you're a commuter or a competitive racer, a recreational rider or a cycle tourist, this book will prove irresistible - and enlightening - reading.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4859 in Books
• Published on: 2009-07-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

From the Back Cover
For Guardian journalist Matt Seaton, cycling is a way of life. An out-and-out bike nut who rides to work during the week and races at the weekend, Seaton knows just about everything there is to know about travelling on two wheels.
In this brilliant collection, Matt Seaton not only describes the thrill of life in the saddle, he also explores the issues that affect all cyclists, from potholes and punctures to the finer aspects of cycling etiquette.
Whether you're an adrenalin-junkie speed racer, a weekend mountain biker or a part-time cycle tourist, Two Wheels is essential - and enlightening - reading.

About the Author
Matt Seaton is the editor of 'Comment is Free' and the author of three books on cycling.

Customer Reviews

not a patch on the escape artist (one of his other books)
I feel rather unfaithful writing this, considering how much I enjoyed 'The Escape Artist', his first book, which I recommend to anyone who loves or loved riding their bikes. I'd rather write a review about that book but ten other people have already done that for me (damn!). I turned to this book for my next fix of Matt Seaton and, as you might already have realised, was a little disappointed. It collects his newspaper articles together and themes them into chapters, too few chapters I'm afraid, because there are too few themes explored. The articles build logically one upon the other but often he only expands on the central idea explored in the last article in the final few paragraphs of the next,leading to a slightly tedious read. His writing style for this book / newspaper was my other disappointment, I know comparing it with 'The Escape Artist' is unfair but having read this immediately after that book I'm afraid that's what I did. Don't get me wrong Matt is obviously a great writer but the breezy style adopted here simply pales in comparison to the emotionally charged prose of 'the artist'-I guess that newspapers for you. On a more positive note I really enjoyed his chapter on single speed and fixed wheel rides and the practical information on cycling and its respective pressure groups he signposts to readers is also useful.

Not an essential 'bikie' purchase then, unlike 'The Escape Artist', which I suppose I've sort of reviewed here anyway...(sorry Matt, but I'll probably still have a look at your other bike book).

Two Wheels - Read this and get riding
This is a brilliant book for all cyclists. Whether you ride a bike to work, school, to the local shop, an enthusiatic mountain biker or Lance Armstrong; Matt Seaton has written this gem for cyclists of all types, ages and experience levels. Based on his Guardian Cycling column, which I've only recently noticed, this excellent book is made up of short, bite sized and informative articles that cover all aspects of cycling. As a gentle recreational cyclist this book furthered my appetite for cycling and more cycles in my garage!! It also opened my eyes to the quiet cycling revolution which is happening, right now, across the UK. Cycling in the UK has yet to have it's finest day and when it does; soon, the writings of Matt Seaton will be rightly establish him as founding father of modern British cycling. Buy this book, buy a bike, forget the Gym membership and diet, just get pedalling, lose weight and gain life. Simply the best book I've read in ages.

Beware reprint
Ordered this at my husband's request to take on holiday only to find once he'd started it he had already read it. It has been published previously with a different cover. If you read a lot of cycling books you may already have it on your shelf!