Great biking books to read for the times you can't be in the saddle

In no particular order, for when the weather is a bit pants or even when you fancy riding your bike somewhere and stopping off for a rest, read one of these books:

Autobiographies, history and adventure riding books…

Built for Speed, by John McGuinness — RRP £20

The new autobiography by the TT legend explores McPint’s journey from getting his first bike at the tender age of 3 to his current legacy in the biking industry. It tells the tale of how McGuinness went from working as a brick layer to charging around the 37.5 mile Isle of Man course — Helping the reader to understand his mindset and find out just what it takes to complete the infamous mountain course.

 

Road Racer: It’s In My Blood, by Michael Dunlop — RRP £20

A truly insightful look at 13-time TT winner Michael Dunlop’s childhood, life and racing success. It goes a long way to explaining his relentless and uncompromising drive to win and what it’s truly like to be a road-racing Dunlop. 

Feel: My Story, by Freddie Spencer — RRP £20

A fascinating and highly personal account of the life of arguably the world’s most gifted motorcycle racer. From humble beginnings to being crowned 500cc and 250cc World Champion in 1985 – a historic achievement which has never been repeated. 

Miracle Man, by Ian Hutchinson — RRP £18.99 

The gritty tale of the 11-time TT winner’s life and career that spans not only his huge successes at the TT, but also how he fought his way back to the top step of the podium after his life-threatening leg injuries. 

When you dead, you dead, by Guy Martin — RRP £8.95

Recounting the wild adventures of the truck mechanic turned TV star – from racing Pikes Peak, to travelling across India, to the horrific Ulster GP crash that saw him end up with a broken back. 

A Short History of the Motorcycle, by Richard Hammond — RRP £8.94

Speaking about A Short History of the Motorcycle, the Hamster boasted to MCN’s Head of Content, Tim Thompson, about his ‘properly researched’ book, which revels in why bikes and biking are so irresistible to so many.

“Motorcycling is special, the best thing possible,” says Hammond. “When it’s good, it’s blissful, I want to preserve that, and I’ve tried, without being too divisive, to address this with the book.”

Covering the joys, and dooms, of riding you’ll see the former Top Gear presenter take us through a journey from a motorbike’s origins through to its modern day incarnation.

McQueen’s Motorcycles: Racing and Riding with the King of Cool, by Matt Stone & Dave Ekins — RRP £19.98 

McQueen’s Motorcycles is a book that, as you may have guessed, details the King of Cool’s motorcycle passion, right from his first ever bike – a 1946 Indian Chief complete with sidecar – right through to his much abused 1936 Triumph Bonneville Desert Sled.

If you’re into Steve McQueen as much as you’re into your bikes, there’s plenty in this book for you. There are some brilliant photos of McQueen and friends racing in the desert – scenes which are now being emulated by Ducati with their new Desert Sled.

Long Way Back, by Charley Boorman — RRP £5.99

Boorman recounts the journey, the ambulance ride, the numerous operations in a Portuguese hospital after suffering a major road traffic accident in February 2016. 

His life came crashing down after he was knocked off his Triumph Tiger Explorer, smashing his right ankle and causing severe damage to his left fibia and tibia. 

The motorcycle adventurer takes you through these tough times and how he struggled to cope with the thought of potentially a life-changing situation.

The first British female to scale the globe alone by motorbike…

Also if you fancy an adventure recently told, read Elspeth Beard’s Lone Rider: The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World (RRP £10.59). 

Read more on her story and how her trip around the world changed her life here. 

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