After hearing from people who loved reading Emily Chappell’s Where There’s a Will, I thought it would be fun for this month’s book to pick another beautifully written memoir from another UK-based woman cyclist! So, this month we are reading Back in the Frame by the fantastic Jools Walker. (In fact, the first review of the book in its description is from Emily: ‘We’ll all recognise ourselves somewhere in this book.’)
(Pssst… have you listened to Emily on the Consummate Athlete Podcast yet? It is A GOOD ONE.)
About the book: If your bike has become your biggest escape of late, Back in the Frame from award-winning blogger, Lady Vélo, is the book for you. Jools Walker rediscovered cycling aged 28 after a decade-long absence from the saddle. When she started blogging about her cycle adventures under the alias Lady Vélo, a whole world was opened up to her. But it’s hard to find space in an industry not traditionally open to women – especially women of colour. Shortly after getting back on two wheels, Jools was diagnosed with depression and then, in her early thirties, hit by a mini-stroke. Yet, through all of these punctures, one constant remained: Jools’ love of cycling. Funny, moving and motivational, this book tells the story of how Jools overcame these challenges, stepped outside her comfort zone and learned to cycle her own path. Along the way she shares a wealth of inspirational stories and tips from other female trailblazers, and shows how cycling can and should be a space for everyone. A celebration of cycling, Back in the Frame will motivate you to get back on your bike and enjoy the ride, no matter what life throws at you.
Confession: I read Back in the Frame when it came out in mid-2019, but in such a blur of books that when I was trying to decide on a book to read for this month’s book club, I thought it was time to go back and give it the close read that it deserved, and to hopefully get more of you to do the same! (I also read it while the Athletic Bookworms were on hiatus, so I didn’t get to mention it. So, fixing that now!)
I’m not positive exactly what we’ll be doing for this month’s meetup to discuss the book, but if you’re interested in being involved, please fill out the Google Form here (and let me know the best way you want to meet!)
Get it here (and in Canada)
Note: It’s only $3.99 on Kindle right now, so there’s no excuses! (I admit I have the print copy of this book and still bought the Kindle edition since it was on sale, just so I could reread and highlight it!) It’s also on sale for $8 as an audiobook if you want to listen while you train, which is one of my favorite ways to get through books when I’m short on time!
