Bike Ride Books

by Mike Carden (me)

Mike Carden, author of the Bike Ride Books series

I am the author of three books, each the story of a bike ride.

Warm, well observed, unpretentious and very funny‘.

The first two in the Bike Ride Books series tell of cycle rides the length of England and the length of Scotland. The third is the story of a tour of the Lake District.

The Full English

Pedalling through England, Mid-Life Crisis, and Truly Rampany Man-Flu

The Full English, by Mike Carden

“Covering 650 miles of England and twelve counties, the author struggles heroically with Mid-life Crisis, Man-Flu and also with Scott, a bike with a serious attitude problem. Cycling from the Dorset coast to Northumbria via Glastonbury, Ludlow, the Peak District, and the Yorkshire Dales, he indulges his passion for the history of England through its castles, abbeys and ancient towns.”

An ‘articulate and witty account of one fortysomething man’s quest to ride from one end of England to the other…‘ London Cyclist magazine

Mike’s relaxed and chatty style is never less than entertaining, making The Full English the sort of book that can put a smile on your face even when it is cold, grey Winter outside.‘ Dorset Life

This thoroughly enjoyable chronicle of one man’s ‘mid-life crisis’ is England’s answer to Round Ireland with a Fridge, by Tony Hawks – but without the fridge.‘  Ludlow Advertiser

Warm, well observed, unpretentious and very funny, this is the kind of cycle tour we can all imagine ourselves taking, though hopefully without the Man-flu.‘ Adventure Travel Magazine

A Bit Scott-ish

Pedalling through Scotland in Search of Adventure, Nature and Lemon Drizzle Cake

A Bit Scott-ish, by Mike Carden

“The tale of a journey through Scotland, meeting locals and fellow travellers, delving into Scotland’s tumultuous history, surviving storm and wind, and discovering just how hopeless it is possible to be at Nature. And at finding the way. And at quite a few other things as well.”

With almost unquenchable good humour, the author takes on everything that Scotland can throw at him.‘ Velo Vision cycling magazine

A nice line in self-deprecating humour.‘ Stirling Observer

Witty. A light touch.‘ Cycle Magazine

A Lake District Grand Tour

Pedalling through Lakeland: The Challenge, The History, The Wildlife, The Scones

A Lake District Grand Tour by Mike Carden

“Mike Carden visits all the lakes of Lakeland, pokes into its most distant corners, and cycles over every mountain pass (well, he attempts to). Along the way he tells the story of Lakeland. He sees where poets wrote and climbers climbed, he tells of ‘oond trailin’ and fell-racing, and he hunts for golden eagles and elusive ring ouzels.”

Relaxed and chatty with a ready wit.’ Cumbria Life magazine

For the armchair adventurer, cycling the Lakes with Mike is an enlightening experience‘ The North West Evening Mail

Charming and easily readable.’ Cycletourer website

Mike Carden’s easy style of writing, with its built-in gentle humour and his eye for detail that many of us would easily miss, belies the fact that he (and his 20-year-old son) have undertaken a serious tour.‘ Arrivee magazine

‘This is one hell of way to see the Lake District National Park! A great description of the grandest of Lake District tours. Get pedalling!’ Richard Leafe, Chief Executive, Lake District National Park Authority

You can find the Bike Ride Books series in the shop here, or pop them in your basket below:

Bike Ride Books

A Bit Scott-ish is out of print but is available as an e-book on Kindle.