The Ultimate Guide to Biking for Happiness: Best Bikes & Cycling Tips for Commuting, Fitness & Adventure

Mr. Penn brings to this book great breadth of experience in the saddle, having cycled to some of the most amazing places on the planet. He retains the sense of wonder anyone who has ridden a bicycle has when they first achieve the wonder of moving forward without support on this most amazing two-wheeled vehicle. The bicycle is truly the most wonderful and efficient human powered machine ever developed and we are still learning about the physics of its self-stabilizing qualities. The author takes us on an adventure, grounded in his pragmatic sense of what works and what doesn't for the quotidian rider, as he pursues his dream bike, one that isn't off the shelf and that is based upon insight into the history, tradition and artisanal qualities of bicycle component production. He brings the reader along on an adventure any cyclist with a sense of wonder would enjoy, meeting the current generation of artisanal component producers. Before we meet these amazing people, we are treated to the history of the relevant component, from origins to evolution through both utilitarian and bicycle racing uses. He obtains the component of interest during a visit, frame from Brian Rourke at Stoke on Trent, headset from Chris King in Portland, OR, wheels from Gravy in Fairfax, CA, tires, steaming hot just after vulcanization from Hardy Bolts of Continental in Korbac, Germany, saddle from Brooks in Manchester..., you get the idea. Your sense of appreciation for each component of the bicycle will deepen after you read each of these engaging sections. You begin to see why the bicycle was initially greeted with the same fanfare and production facilities as the automobile later was. You also more deeply appreciate how remarkable and utilitarian this machine is. The health of the artisanal side of the industry is great news for the future of the bicycle.As interesting as each of these sections are, though, the best part of the book is the infectious sense of pleasure Mr. Penn can't seem to help but convey with each meeting and with his bicycling. This is remarkable given some of the hair-raising adventures he's been on with a bicycle. He makes you want to get out and get it going on your own bike and to hope that maybe, if you play your cards right, you will one day put together your own dream machine.Highly recommended. Easily the best bicycle book I've ever read. Ride on, Mr. Penn. Ride on.