Rad Rides

BMX bikes are iconic. There’s something about them that appeals to kids, adults and cyclists. And, of course, BMX is now an Olympic sport. Rad Rides is the most in-depth exploration of the world of BMX bikes through their riders and the culture that surrounds them. The introduction explains and contextualizes the birth of BMX culture and where it is now, while the main body features bikes ranging from those that are well-worn through years of riding to beautiful, sculptural works of art – gleaming, built-but-never-ridden keepsakes. The featured bikes are organized decade by decade and are BMXs drawn from the best collections in the world. There are also in-depth details of specifications and interviews with some of the collectors, many of whom have had their bikes exclusively shot for the book. This is the indispensable companion for anyone who loves the BMX.

Any custom automotive project begins with making choices. There are choices under the hood, such as which engine will match well with a certain chassis and transmission. There are aesthetic choices, like whether to use custom or stock wheels, what paint scheme will look best, and what type of interior will be comfortable as well as eye catching. Each decision involves an investment of money and time. Often what seems plausible in the imagination fails in execution. And only after spending hours of time and thousands of dollars does it become clear that something’s not right. Street Machines: Classic, Muscle, Modern is the ideal resource for anyone looking to build a powerful and stylish modified street machine.

Great British Gravel Rides pays homage to the very best gravel cycling across England, Wales and Scotland. Markus Stitz has curated a collection of 25 routes across Britain – each a favourite route of a passionate gravel cyclist. You can join round-the-world cycling men's record holder Mark Beaumont in East Lothian, experience a different side of East Anglia with ultra-endurance racers and GBDURO20 winners Josh Ibbett and Gail Brown, embark on a coast-to-coast trip across Scotland with round-the-world cycling women's record holder Jenny Graham, or see the best of Scottish Borders with diversity in cycling champion Aneela McKenna. Each route gives an insight into what each cyclist loves about gravel riding – what inspires and motivates them – and why they believe it qualifies as one of Britain's best gravel rides. A detailed route description of the trail is then provided, including interesting information about the local area, exactly what to expect on the route, details on the best places and attractions to explore, recommendations for the best local cafes and pubs and a list of local bike shops, should they be needed. With inspiring photography showcasing some of the best gravel trails in the UK, as well as bespoke maps and downloadable GPX files for each route, this is the essential companion for any gravel rider. Whether you want a challenging pedal through the country's awe-inspiring landscapes or a more leisurely day out in the saddle, let Great British Gravel Rides help you explore the best gravel cycling of Great Britain – your adventure begins here!

Directed toward healing and personal development, Just Add Blood is an introduction to the use of the Anglo-Saxon runes. It serves as both a point of reference and a guide in how to use the runes and offers a fresh, contemporary look at the magical approach to rune usage within Anglo-Saxon culture and spirituality.

This book translates and comments on a selection of Old English poems that modern scholars identify as “wisdom” texts. These comprise collections of maxims, philosophical and cosmological speculation, and historical meditation. Composed by monastic authors from the ninth to the eleventh centuries, they mingle orthodox Christian beliefs with pre-Christian sensibilities embedded in the linguistic texture of Anglo-Saxon verse itself. Their preoccupation with how the human psyche responds to the challenges of incarnate life in space and time lends them a wide-ranging interest for students of medieval religion, social history, and psychology. Many are superb poems in their own right, whose quality the translations here serve to communicate to modern readers. The book’s commentaries engage sympathetically with patterns of thought and imagination both remote from us in time and yet strangely familiar.

Bicycles are a great way to get from place to place, but BMX riders are all about style. Readers will discover the high-flying world of BMX through exciting text. The history of the sport is on full display, along with its most exciting riders. Full-color photographs show the gravity-defying feats of BMX while educating readers on the science the sport. Interactive challenges, to encourage the exercise of both body and mind, are also provided.