A moving description of an average motorcyclist's dream of participating in the world's greatest motorcycle race. For 100 years, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races have been the world's most dangerous organized sporting event. Mark Gardiner was just another one of the 30,000 fans who attended the annual spectacle. Except that he went home, quit his job, and sold everything he owned. He moved to the Island determined to race in the TT himself. If you're a dreamer, the lesson in this book is that the pursuit of any worthwhile goal involves risks, rewards and regrets. If you're not a dreamer, the lesson is more important: the deepest regrets are always over risks not taken.
Riding Man
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Mark Gardiner was a successful advertising agency Creative Director and a club-level motorcycle racer until he packed it in, in order to race in the Isle of Man TT. Portions of Riding Man first appeared in Motorcyclist Magazine as his story "Island Man." That set the magazine's all-time record for reader response. Mark's writing has also appeared in Road Racer X, Cycle Canada, Cycle World, Bike, and Classic Bike. He is the author of the popular motorcycle blog "Backmarker" on roadracerx.com.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A modern classic and a great read,
By
This review is from: Riding Man (Paperback)
This is a totally compelling read. I admit, I'm not the biggest fan of motorcycles myself but a friend recommended it and said it was just a great story. He was right. This guy (the author, Mark Gardiner) is gutsy, funny, sensitive and smart. His narrative is self revealing and very endearing. One of the things I loved about the book is that I felt like he was talking directly to me the whole time.
I found myself amazed at the tenacity of the author for going for his lifelong dream to race in the world's most dangerous motorcycle race and inspired by his humble and realistic view of himself as just a regular guy. I don't know if he is, how many regular guys give up a successful career to do something like this? There were passages that made me cry and some that made me laugh out loud. I learned a lot about a sport that I barely understood prior to reading this and more about the people who love it. Mostly I appreciated the author's philosophy -- to do your best and to embrace the process without being attached to results. This book could well turn out to be a classic along the lines of "Zen and the Art of Archery" or "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", both of which are quoted at key points. Basically, I fell in love with the book and this author when I read itRiding Man
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Zen racing between the hedges, and walls, and trees, and....,
By
This review is from: Riding Man (Paperback)
I'm not done with the book yet and it's already making me re-evaluate how I live life. Making me itch to do something more than just work to live/ride. I too have a passion for motorcycles, and racing. The TT and it's heroes(Mike the Bike, Joey, McCallen, DJ) always like real people who do extra-ordinary things. Mark is one of them, to me. I'd love to see a follow up book of his sketches of the course.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome,
By sseale (New York) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Riding Man (Paperback)
I have to admit, I race motorcycles. So, right off the bat I was interested in this book. However, once I got to actually reading it, I found that it is a very well written story. It doesn't just cover his racing. He also talks about his job, a little about his family, and a lot about the culture on the Isle of Man. His writing style is funny and insightful. He's just a fairly average guy who chases his dream.
Even if you aren't very interested in motorcycles, I highly reccomend this book.
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