I have just finished reading “It's all about the bike” by Robert Penn.  In my opinion, it is a fantastic book about the history, technical aspects and passion of the bike.  In the last few years we have seen a lot of books come out regarding cycling, but most of them are about riders and races and the stories behind them.  This is the first time that I’ve seen a book that discusses building a bike.  The author takes the time to detail his personal choices of material to make up what would be his dream machine.

The bicycle is the most popular means of transportation around the world, and it is also one of the greatest inventions of human kind.  The author is very passionate about cycling, so much so, that he has even done a tour of the world on his bicycle. Now he has decided it is time to build up the bike of his dreams, his personal jewel that will go with him on every rides he does.

“It's all about the bike” is a journey through the planning and construction of this bike. From Stoke on Trent, where Robert Penn has a frame made following his body measures, to California the home of the mountain bike on the West Coast where he works out the wheels and the steering system.  Piece by piece the author takes the opportunity to describe the history and the innovation that cycling has brought into the modern society.

In fact, we can see from this story why we pedal today!  In the mean time I have had the mountain bike of my dreams ready, but that is another story...

Thanks for reading,
Rubens