A Ride Across America by Simon Parker

This is a unique take on a well-covered subject, cycling across America. Simon Parker uses the journey to discover the 'real America' in the run-up to the 2024 Presidential Election. He spends most of his time in the lesser-known parts of this vast country, engaging in fascinating conversations. I learned a lot about modern America from this book, at the same time enjoying the wonder of such an epic bike ride.
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Moods of Future Joys by Alastair Humphreys

A bicycle journey so epic that it took 4 years and two books to tell the tale. Alastair Humphreys is one of the greatest adventure cyclists and these two books are page turners. If you only manage to read a couple of books about cycling then make sure it's these ones. 

Life Cycles by Julian Sayarer

This is one of the best books I have read about cycling around the world. Julian Sayarer is a brilliant story teller. He notices details, he questions what he sees, he analyses. He creates a picture of the world that's so vivid it feels like you are right there with him.
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Signs of Life. To the Ends of the Earth with a Doctor by Stephen Fabes

​Stephen Fabes is a doctor and this brings a unique aspect to the adventure cycling genre because he visits health care settings as he travels. This is a much deeper journey than just a bike ride. This is a 6 year, 53,000 mile, cycle around the world full of thoughtful insights about people and places.  It is a fascinating, moving and inspirational travel book. 
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This Road I Ride by Juliana Buhring

​Juliana Buhring became the first and fastest woman to circumnavigate the world by bicycle. This book follows her journey. It is an incredible adventure, particularly as the author had no background in cycling and was spurred into doing the ride after her boyfriend was killed by a crocodile. Buhring's background as a former member of the cult of The Children of God provides a fascinating backdrop to the journey.
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End to End by Paul Jones

The story of the Land's End to John O'Groats cycling record is epic. Paul Jones has created a beautiful and gripping account about the people who have undertaken this record. The End to End is 842 miles and the current men's record holder did it in 43 hours, but people have been doing it since the 1880s. They are a fascinating collection of individuals that make the pages of this book so engrossing. 
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Cycling the Earth. A life-changing race around the world by Sean Conway

Sean Conway embarks on an incredible around the world cycle journey. He covers 16,000 miles and experiences South America, Australia, U.S.A, Europe and Asia. This is an exciting read with the power to inspire you to do something adventurous. 
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Full Tilt. Ireland to India with a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy

Who takes a gun on a cycling trip? Dervla Murphy lists a .25 automatic pistol as part of her kit list for travelling by bicycle to India. And she ends up having to use it! This was the 1960s and she was making her way through countries like Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. This book is a beautifully written and gripping account of a cycling adventure that paints a gorgeous portrait of the landscapes and peoples of these regions. 
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Janapar: Love on a Bike by Tom Allen

Tom Allen cycled around the world with his two friends and wrote a fantastic and highly readable book about his experiences.  This is an epic work of quality writing. Allen has a great eye for detail and magnificently describes the countries that he travels through. The book is also about relationships, with the friends he travels with, with the people he meets along the way and the woman that he falls in love with. 
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What Goes Around. A London Cycle Courier's Story by Emily Chappell

​Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a cycle courier? This book provides a fascinating and highly readable insight into the life of a cycle courier. Emily Chappell tells the story of how she became a London cycle courier and exactly what it is like to do this kind of work. Chappell is completely honest about her life as a courier and although she loves the job she is upfront about the downsides. The book is also a love story to London, particularly the hidden corners that few people know of.
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Chasing Lines by James McLaren

This is an exciting account of James McLaren's attempt to beat the world record for the fastest cycle across Europe. The journey begins in Ufa, Russia and proceeds through 9 countries to reach the coast in Portugal. The focus of the book is the incredible human effort required to undertake this feat. It is a race against time so there is little insight into the culture and people of the countries, but you feel like you are right there with James. His fast paced and personable writing style draws you into this world of emotion, physical pain and sheer joy. 
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Epic Bike Rides of the World by Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet have produced this utterly superb and inspiring collection of cycling routes around the world. For anybody who loves cycling, travel and dreaming of future adventures this book is essential reading. I devoured every single page and could not help my imagination racing with the possibilities of bike trips in numerous parts of our planet.
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The Cyclist Who Went Out in the Cold by Tim Moore

A 10,000 km cycling trip along the route of the Iron Curtain is brilliantly told by Tim Moore. This is a witty account of an incredible cycling journey that begins in Finnish Lapland and ends at the Black Sea in Bulgaria. Moore faces many challenges, including freezing cold weather and bicycle problems. I found this a highly readable and entertaining book.
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Take a Seat. One Man, One Tandem by Dominic Gill

This book, by Dominic Gill, records a cycling journey that starts in Alaska and ends in the southernmost city in South America. There are huge distances- 18,449 miles-  beautiful landscapes and physical and mental challenges. Similar adventures have been written about, but this one has a key difference- it is done on a tandem bicycle. The author sets out alone on the tandem and picks up strangers along the way, 270 of them. It is a unique twist on the familiar tale of a man fed up with his job and yearning to do something different and finds the answer in a long distance bicycle trip.
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The Road Headed West. A Cycling Adventure Through North America by Leon McCarron

This book is about the epic, 6000 mile, cycle trip from New York City to Seattle and then to the Mexican border undertaken by adventurer Leon McCarron. His route takes the reader through a less touristy USA of small towns, general stores and farms. This journey is not about speed and setting records; it is about the places and people of America. It is a nicely detailed and highly readable book for anyone inspired by the idea of crossing America by bike.
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The Enlightened Cyclist by Bike Snob NYC

Bike Snob lives in New York City. He blogs and writes books about all things to do with cycling. This book focuses on cycle commuting and is full of Bike Snob's characteristic wit and common sense. All of the trials and tribulations of commuting by bike are covered, including annoying behaviour, types of bicycles and the reason why people do not cycle.
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The Bicycle Book by Bella Bathurst

Bella Bathurst examines the world of the bicycle from the invention of the machine to modern day cycling subsets. Everything is covered from cycle commuting to the Tour de France, from Indian rickshaw riders to BMX. This is a well-written and interesting exploration of cycling. If you want to know more about the story of the bicycle this book is an excellent choice.
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Cycling Home from Siberia by Rob Lilwall

Rob Lilwall flies into deepest Siberia and begins to cycle back home to England. It is the ultimate cycling adventure and takes three-and-a-half years. He cycles through many countries, including Japan, China, Australia, Tibet and Afghanistan. This is a gripping book and gives a vivid account of the countries visited, the people met, the challenges and the impact of the journey on the author.
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The Man who Cycled the World by Mark Beaumont

This is the first ever book that I read about cycling. I loved it from start to finish. It is the perfect combination of travel, adventure and endurance. Mark Beaumont is a Scottish cyclist and is legendary for the incredible biking journeys that he has undertaken. In 2008 Mark broke the Guiness World Record for the fastest circumnavigation of the world by bike. The book is an astonishing record of his 18,000 mile journey, full of drama, harsh conditions and encounters with the landscapes and people of the world.

Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie by Andrew P. Sykes

Andrew P. Sykes' third cycling travel book sees him tackle 7,700km across 8 countries, from Spain to Norway. It is a detailed account of the cycle route, the scenery, towns and people that he meets along the way. The writing style makes you feel that you are right there, doing the route with Andrew. There is plenty of humour and interesting experiences to make this book a great read.​
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The Amazing Story of the Man Who Cycled From India to Europe for Love by Per J Andersson

A true story of cycling incredible distances for a purpose; not to break a record or to escape a boring job. Pradyumna Kumar (known at 'PK') cycles from India to Sweden to marry his wife because he cannot afford the plane ticket. This book is much more than a cycling story- it is a harrowing tale of the cruelties of the Indian caste system. Don't expect too much detail on the cycling part of the story as the focus is very much on the childhood and later life of PK, but it is a fascinating tale and provides the important backdrop to the cycling journey.
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Above Average by Mark Gallagher

Mark Gallagher was a Glasgow bike messenger in the 1990s and he has put together his collection of anecdotes in this amusing and engaging book. It is much more than the story of a bike messenger, more of an autobiography. It begins with Mark's childhood and takes us through his adult life, beyond the bike messenger days. He has an impressive collection of varied and often remarkable experiences that fill the pages of this book.
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The Great North Road by Steve Silk

​Steve Silk cycles the route of Britain's most prestigious road, the London to Edinburgh road.  It is now called the A1, but until 1921 it was called the Great North Road. With each pedal stroke the author experiences more of the towns, landscapes and remarkable history of this route. 
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Nala's World by Dean Nicholson

Nala's World is about a bike ride around the world with a unique twist. The cyclist, Dean, does his bike ride with a cat. Dean is from Dunbar in Scotland and his choice of travel companion is by accident. He rescues the cat from the side of the road in the Bosnian mountains. He names her Nala and they embark on an incredible adventure together. This book is about the bond between Dean and Nala during their bike ride and all of things that they experience together.
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Fifty Miles Wide. Cycling Through Israel and Palestine by Julian Sayarer

This is a masterclass in travel writing. It's a collection of encounters with people who live in these lands, expertly curated by the author. You will learn a lot about what life is like here and what people think of the political situation. There is plenty of cycling action, the joys of travelling by bike are recorded immaculately in this book, but it is primarily about the place and the people who live there.
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Messengers. City tales from a London bicycle courier by Julian Sayarer

Life as a bicycle courier in London is challenging. Julian Sayarer doesn't hold back in his honest and sometimes brutal portrayal of the world of bicycle messengers. We learn what it'm., s really like to work in one of London's most poorly paid jobs. We meet a cast of fascinating characters who work as couriers and we experience a lesser-known side to the city. The book is often cynical, sometimes depressing but also rich in detail, observation and social commentary. 
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If you love everything about bikes, from the technical to the quirky this is the book for you. Johan Tell has thoroughly researched the subject and there is an entry for pretty much everything to do with bikes, like gears, carbon fibre and health benefits. The highlight of the book is where the entry involves the author visiting an interesting location to find out more and talk to people. For example, he visits the Biachini bicycle factory. He explores the Dutch city of Groningen to discover why it is considered the best cycling city in the world.
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