The Young Cyclist’s Companion

Product Description

Praise for Young Cyclist’s Companion!
‘A clear, fun, accessible, accurate, and encouraging guide for kids who love to bike.’ –Kirkus Starred Review
‘Quotes from famous cyclists, a time line of bicycle history, and quick cycling facts complement the attractive design. A helpful guide’. –Booklist
‘This would make a great gift for fans of cycling, so the readers could reference it again and again’. –Youth Services Book Review
‘The Young Cyclist’s Companion is a “must-have” for any young adult who owns or is learning to ride a bicycle’. –Midwest Book Review
‘Packed with a surprisingly large amount of useful and entertaining information. Best of all it makes you want to get out and ride’. –Bikemonger
‘This would make an ideal starting point for Bike ability in schools and a fantastic gift for young cyclists’. –My Shelves Are Full 
‘A fantastic foray into the world of cycling and all things ‘bike’ for children, which could not have come at a better time’. –The Literacy Tree
 
A brisk guide for the aspirant bike rider all the way from choosing a first bike to techniques for wheelies and bunny hops and the finer points of riding in a group.
Who doesn’t remember what it feels like to be a young person on a bike. Cycling offers kids an unrivalled freedom and independence. With global cycling trends on a new, post-pandemic high, ever more young people are experiencing the joys of the beautiful machine.
This book is aimed at young people who are already proficient cyclists and are keen to learn more. It explains all the basics: How to choose a bike (types of bike, getting the right fit), basic maintenance (changing a tire, cleaning your bike), cycling techniques (pedalling, gearing, cornering, bunny hops) and next level cycling (competitions and training).
Alongside these informative texts there is a cornucopia of facts and trivia about the unusual habits of famous cyclists, the weirdest, biggest, furthest and longest bikes and journeys, the most useful cycling life-hacks, etc. This multi-layering of information makes this an inspirational read on many levels.

Review

‘A comprehensive guide geared to the young cyclist.
With its perky design and friendly tone, this manual provides readers with pretty much all the information they need to be confident and competent cyclists. The copious cartoon illustrations are mostly inclusive—cyclists of various ethnicities and skin color are depicted, The four main chapters (“The Right Bike for You”; “Maintaining Your Bike”; “Cycling Technique”; and “Stepping It Up a Gear”) are laid out in easily understood pockets of information that include the anatomy of a bike, how to choose a bike for your needs, how to take care of it, how to ride safely and efficiently, and riding with a club. The information, with its practical delivery and fun, confident approach, obviously comes from direct experience. Kids will learn how to fix a flat, keep their bike in good shape, brake properly, and cycling safely on roadways, among many others, and the whole is sprinkled with quirky quotes from professional cyclists. The book is directed toward both boys and girls (and it does mention that competitive road cycling is male-centric, with the men’s teams getting more attention and money—a commendable aside). While the measurements in this U.K. import are usually given in metric and some spelling is British, this shouldn’t make any appreciable difference to American readers. The British hand signaling, however, differs from U.S. custom.
A clear, fun, accessible, accurate, and encouraging guide for kids who love to bike’. –Kirkus STARRED REVIEW
‘Young riders can knowledgeably join in the popular sport of cycling with this guide, imported from Britain. The text, divided into short chunks for accessibility, is set against photos of kid cyclists in action; vibrant, energetic cartoons; and colorful graphics of bicycle parts and riding techniques. The first section considers types of bikes, the righ