What a Ride takes us back to the beginnings of Rupes’ Tour de France journeys starting in 1987 and doesn’t miss a beat over the years. From Phil Anderson’s 5th place finish to Cadel Evans back to back podium finishes this book will leave you sensing you have stepped back in time to a place where carbon fibre didn’t exist. Rupert has been in France to witness the greats of the sport Miguel Indurain, Marco Pantani, Jan Ullrich and 7 time winner Lance Armstrong acclaim legendary status.

There are humorous and sadly tragic moments, heroes and villains, and testing times when everything seems to go wrong. But there are also days of perfect riding, extraordinary scenery and uplifting successes. One moment of the book that I must say is a favourite is of Rupert not cycling rather running up Alpe d’Huez and reflecting on the names that make this race the most amazing spectacular it is.

This amazing read is available in time for Christmas from all good book shops and if you want to know more about Rupe then follow him on Twitter

From the time you open this magazine you are deeply entrenched with the amazing array of  variety. Bicycling Australia begins lightly with the mailbag, newsroom and top gear sections that are the perfect introduction and in no way an overdose like other magazines. Following this we move into a couple of heavy hitting feature articles that focus on current major cycling trends or a tour from somewhere around the world that no one considers worthy enough of a yarn, an example of where Bicycling Australia has taken this magazine. If you are like me, someone who can’t get enough information on recommended foods, exercises for cycling, what drinks are the best and so on then this is the magazine for you. Bicycling Australia has on board a Coach, Nutritionist and Therapist….they don’t miss a beat. The magazine has the usual “Where to Ride” feature thou they take you places that you would never think of.

Bicycling Australia has plenty of advertisments thou as mentioned in a previous review, advertises are needed to achieve such a fine magazine as this. In fact the advertisements are story in themselves. Bicycling Australia is published every two months and has a cover price of $10.95. They also publish Mountain Biking Australia that we will review at a later date.

I rate Bicycling Australia a 9 out of 10……It’s a cycling bible!

Today we will look at the Bicycling magazine from the United States who claim to be the world’s leading bike magazine. I must admit that I have been reading this magazine for just over 12 months so feel I am in a good position to pass judgment. Lets me firstly say that for a magazine to claim its the “world leading”  then it must associate its self with global matters – this magazine doesn’t. In the time I have been reading this magazine I can’t remember the last time if ever there was a letter to the editor from someone outside of the United States. Another feature of the magazine “Think Your Ride’s Great” only focuses on rides that are once again based in the United States. Simply put this magazine is by far the world’s leading bike magazine.

With criticism comes credit, and for the cover price of $4.99US this magazine is clearly value for money. I have never read an issue in a couple of hours and placed it in the pile with others. Bicycling magazine is a resource of extremely interesting articles that covers everything to do with cycling imaginable. Whether it be articles on professional cyclists, reviews on new equipment, training tips, fitness advice right through to cyclists taking on local Government for additional bicycle paths then this magazine has all that plus more covered.

While the magazine is full of advertisements one needs to understand that without advertises we don’t have magazines such as this one. Oh, and if you don’t subscribe then the 11 issues for $15.00US is great value.

Bicycling Magazine – World’s Leading?… I think not.

I give the Bicycling magazine a 6 out of 10.