Barring Mechanicals Charts!

Well,

Seems Lulu is keeping tabs on things. I've just been pointed at the categorised 'top 100' for May, and suddenly find Barring Mechanicals at Number 18. Considering Lulu published around 8,000 new titles each month in 2009, I'm calling 18th a very good place. :)

More annoyingly, the graphic arrow suggests it was higher ranked last month, and I'm willing to bet higher again the month before. Sales seemed to peak in March, so I'd love to be able to roll back and see where i was then.

Oh well... 

Got some possible news coming up about a new distribution channel too, but more on that later.

Arrivée review spotted in the wild

Arrivée magazine calls Barring Mechanicals "A remarkably fresh and accurate account", going on to endorse it as "a gripping tale, told with honesty and humour."

Spotted in the month's edition, the magazine features a synopsis of the book, recommending it to readers but inadvertently revealing a few plot points. If you don't know the story, you might want to skip to full extract below.

Thanks go to LadyJulian who brought it to my eye.

"In 2008, Andy was diagnosed with a degenerative spinal condition and, following surgery, was told that he would not be able to ride a bicycle again.  Within days he had ordered a recumbent and was training for his first audax ride, the London-Edinburgh-London 1400km, which was to take place from 26 to 31 July 2009.

The result of his 107 hours cycling epic is a remarkably fresh and accurate account of our longest randonnee.  Andy faces, and overcomes, all the familiar trials of the long distance rider.  His wife recovers his mislaid cycling shoes but then he is on his way, and on his own, with 500 riders from 28 countries and a small army of volunteers, who are only available to help at control points.  Immediately Andy falls victim to mechanical failure, which requires endless supplies of cable ties.

The milder effects of sleeplessness kick in early on.  Severe storms and resulting hypothermia take their toll but a kindly villager with a bed and several bin liners restores our lucky rider.  Rolling home, Andy's gears refuse to change, he falls victim to a wheelsucker and finally, confused by road closures he runs the gauntlet of A10 sliproads at night.

Whether you are a seasoned randonneur or an armchair rider, it's a gripping tale, told with honesty and humour."

Arrivee is Audax UK's quarterly magazine, with over 50 pages of articles, photos, letters, news and information, available to members of Audax UK, the long distance cyclists' association.

It's published each February, May, August and November.

Amazon! New distribution options for UK and France

Morning all.

Just a quick note to say that UK readers can now buy Barring Mechanicals through amazon.co.uk. If you're fortunate enough to live in France, amazon.fr carries it too.

Of course, if you do live in France, you're more than welcome to send a plane ticket, and I'll bring a copy down with me. One of the bike friendly airlines, please :)

Free shipping at LULU until 5/5/2010

Morning all,

Just got a note from Lulu to say they're offering a £2.99 discount on shipping costs until 5th May 2010. Redemption is via a coupon code 'FREEMAILUK305'
For anyone who's not yet got a copy, this is your chance to own Barring Mechanicals for only £5.99.

Cheers!

Andy.

Reviewed in Velo Vision

I've just received the March edition of the quarterly cycle magazine Velo Vision, with a cover note drawing my eye to their review of Barring Mechanicals.

For those without images, the text reads as follows:

Andy Allsopp had overcome a degenerative spinal condition and surgery, and was averaging 10 miles a week commuting on his HPV Streetmachine GTe recumbent, when he and a friend decided to sign up for the 2009 London-Edinburgh-London audax ride - appoximately 1400 km with a maximum time limit of just under five days. Although his friend had to drop out aftern an accident, Andy continued training with help from fellow www.cyclechat.co.uk forum members, swapped to a Challenge Furai SL-II, and made it to the start.

This book, originally posted in episodes on Cyclechat, charts those next five days - the literal ups and downs, as well as the metaphorical ones. Weather, exhaustion and cable ties all play important parts in the story, and the author weaves practical detail, philosophical musings and humour together in an amazing inspiring account. Beware - several people who've read this book have closed it and thought "Hmm, maybe I could do that..."

I must acknowledge a connection - I was one of those who waited for each installment and urged the author to publish. I heartily recommend it!

ISBN 978-1-4452-5510-1, self-published via www.lulu.com. £5.99. Soft cover, 140 pages, around A5 format.

Velo Vision covers cycling as a fun and effective transport solution. Published quarterly since 2000, it’s a unique forum for new cycling ideas and innovations from around the world. Discover folding bikes which fit easily onto public transport, recumbents which go faster in comfort, family bikes to carry children safely, workbikes and trailers to haul loads for car-free living or business, adapted cycles offering true mobility for the disabled, and streamlined velomobiles for all-weather comfort. Showcasing positive examples of cycling pioneers, designers and cultures, Velo Vision is a quarterly dose of cycle inspiration.

20% Easter discount at Lulu

Heads up, if you've been hankering after a copy of Barring Mechanicals, but are holding back on cash, there's a 20% discount running over at Lulu until 23:59hrs, 6 April. Use the coupon code EASTER at the checkout to claim your copy for only £4.80.

Full details here

Now available at Amazon.com

Landmark progress today. Barring Mechanicals has just been sighted on Amazon.com. Ok, its probably  quicker for US customers to order direct from Lulu, but being listed at Amazon does lend a certain credibility to the project.

To date, there have only been a handful of US sales. Here's hoping this is a turning point.

See the amazon page here.