Hey, cyclers! If you’re looking for a listen to motivate and energize you while you head out on a ride, these audiobooks are sure to get you pumped up. But whether you decide to listen on or off your bike, this list was curated especially for you. As the summer heats up, you might be looking for motivation to get out there on your bike and onto the streets—or maybe you’re plenty motivated already and just need tips and tricks to up your cycling game. Find the best cycling audiobook for you in the picks below, whether you’re a lifelong rider, a newbie, or any skill level in between.
If you’re a cycling fan and a cat lover and are not following @1bike1world on Instagram, you’d better remedy that immediately. Then, download Dean Nicholson’s book, Nala’s World. This is the 30-year-old Instagrammer's story of his bike trip around the world, and the little cat named Nala who became his unlikely cycling companion.
50 Shades of the USA is Anna McNuff’s follow-up to The Pants of Perspective, which chronicled her journey running through the wilds of New Zealand. In this listen, McNuff takes to her bike and heads to America to cycle through every state. And if you love this one, you'll want to check out McNuff's third book, Llama Drama, which follows the continuation of her cycling adventure in South America.
Alastair Humphreys’s two-part cycling epic has been brought together for the first time in one audiobook. In the author-narrated Around the World by Bike, Humphreys explains how, at the age of 24, he set off to cycle across all five continents—a journey spanning 46,000 miles and four years—on a budget of just £7,000 (less than 10K in US dollars).
Women cyclists, this empowering listen delivers all the inspiration you’ll ever need. Revolutions is the glorious history of women’s cycling, which all started as a political statement and a feminist act. Author Hannah Ross highlights the incredible accomplishments of women cyclists around the world, marveling at how women have done so much in the world of cycling, a culture that remains overwhelmingly male. And if you’ve ever felt discouraged by that fact, this book will uplift and motivate you.
So, you’re a bicycle enthusiast and an American history buff? Then, you're sure to be fascinated by Margaret Guroff’s The Mechanical Horse. This audiobook traces the history of cycling and its specific significance to American culture. As it turns out, the story of the bicycle in the USA is the story of a country with more mobility and wider horizons.
If you’re serious and ready to train for competitive cycling, Joe Friel’s The Cyclist’s Training Bible is the comprehensive guide you need. Whether you’re an aspiring cyclist or a more seasoned one, Friel has tips to help you train with the right intensity, gain the most possible from every workout, build muscular endurance, eat healthier to improve body composition and performance, and much more. Training plans, exercises, and graphics are included in the audiobook’s accompanying PDF.
As you can probably tell from the title, Michael Hutchinson's Faster is all about helping you increase your cycling speed. This is a great listen for more seasoned cyclists who are looking for something to give themselves an extra push. Moreover, this book examines why many cyclists find it so appealing to push themselves to go faster. But since it's narrated by the accomplished Simon Vance, you might want to listen and enjoy at a slower speed.
The Art of Cycling is the much-anticipated autobiography of Cadel Evans, the greatest Australian cyclist of all time. If you're a diehard cyclist, then you'll likely relate to some parts of Evans's story: his obsession with and love for cycling, his dedication to training, the frustrating lows, and the exhilarating highs. Evans lays out all of his experiences, from his beginnings as the youngest winner of a World Cup in mountain biking to his staying power as the oldest post-War winner of the Tour de France. Evans's story is an inspiring one that you'll want to listen to nonstop from start to finish.
Ever dreamed of being a pro-cycler? With humor, wit, and honesty, Phil Gaimon is here to tell you what it takes in his account, Pro Cycling on $10 a Day. For Gaimon, what started off as just a way to lose weight quickly became a lifestyle as he fell into racing and realized he had a talent for it. The author’s inspiring cycling story also serves as a guide (and a warning) to aspiring racers.
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of some of the world’s greatest cycle races, you won’t want to miss out on Carlton Kirby’s Magic Spanner. In this listen, the legendary Eurosport cycling commentator offers an insider’s view of life on the Grand Tours of cycling, including the Tour de France, Giro D'Italia, Vuelta a España, and more. It's all delivered in his signature witty and outrageous style, and, of course, the audiobook is expertly narrated by Kirby as well.
Cyclist Dervla Murphy named her bicycle after Don Quixote’s steed. And like Quixote himself, Murphy sets off on a daring adventure with her very own Rozinante. Full Tilt is Murphy’s inspiring true story of her cycling journey from Ireland to India. This is an exploration of her love of cycling, but it’s also a celebration of the people she meets and the cultures she gets to experience. If you're seeking an uplifting story that will show you just how much a life of cycling can connect you to the world around you, listen to this audiobook.
Oh, that could never be me.Think that kind of travel by bike is only for the pros? Think again. *Miles from Nowhere* is the story of Barbara and Larry Savage, two newcomers to the world of cycling who nonetheless embarked on a 23,000-mile global bicycle odyssey, taking the couple through 25 countries in only two years.
A lot of the entries on this list focus on professionals' rise from obscurity to cycling superstars. But what about the cyclists who succeed only to fall? In Descent, Thomas Dekker reveals the difficult but necessary story behind his epic fall from cycling superstardom. As a pro, Dekker found himself becoming corrupted by greed, fame, and the pressure to constantly perform at superhuman levels. An unflinching look at the pitfalls and darkness that often come with fame, Descent is also a story of redemption. It's a must-listen not just for cyclists but for anyone who has fallen and needs some encouragement to get back up again.
If you’re a cycling fanatic who wants more of an inside scoop behind the lives of professional cyclists, listen to The Secret Race. This book is a hard look into the world of professional cycling—and the shocking truth behind the doping and cover-ups behind the scenes—from former Olympic gold medalist Tyler Hamilton and New York Times best-selling author Daniel Coyle.
If you’re just beginning your cycling journey, start if off right with Cycling: Bicycling Made Easy by Ace McCloud. Even if you’ve never even set foot on a bike, McCloud gives you all the tools you need to meet your cycling goals. Wanting to get fit? Wanting to enter into races? Or maybe you’re just looking to get outside more? This audiobook will teach you everything you need to know to get the most out of your bike.
We’ve already discussed how the world of cycling is overwhelmingly male. Many of the world’s most famous cyclists are also white. Yes, there are Black cyclists out there, but the cycling community doesn’t focus on their stories as often—which is why Major Taylor’s story is so important to remember. This forgotten cycling legend was a spiritual and athletic idol in his time. Not only was Taylor the fastest cyclist in America, but he also spoke out against racism and cruelty. Major Taylor’s cycling story is like no other, and it deserves to be heard.
Think you’re a runner and not a cyclist? Think again. Author Rachel Ann Cullen thought she’d found the answer to all of her life’s woes when she discovered running. It gave her strength, physically and mentally. Running was her therapy, her exercise, her identity. But when an injury left Rachel on the sidelines, preventing her from doing the one thing that had been the most beneficial to her mental health throughout the years, she knew she had to find something new. So she went down to her cellar, pulled out her old bike, and started cycling. And her life changed. A Midlife Cyclist is perfect for those who never thought they’d become cycling fanatics…until they did.
Triathlon TarenGesell, it's perfect for any new triathlete who is looking to train on a bike specifically for endurance and to remain fresh for a run. For an added bonus, consider checking out Gesell’s [*Triathlon Nutrition Foundations*](https://www.audible.com/pd/Triathlon-Nutrition-Foundations-Audiobook/B08DJDG3P9), which will teach you how to fuel your body for race day.