Rides of Passage' by Matt and Arthur Lamy review

Engaging account of the journey of father and son through life, and through France on bikes

Rides of Passage book by Matt and Arthur Lamy

Cycling Weekly Verdict

The appeal of this entertaining book is broad: Anyone who has a father or son, has ever undertaken a long-distance trip or has an interest in riding in France will enjoy many aspects of it.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Part travelogue, part coming-of-age story that any cyclist/father/son will appreciate

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Turn away if accounts of saddle sores make you feel unwell

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Rides of Passage will appeal to both cyclists and non-cyclists alike, as it deals as much with how a father-and-son relationship changes over two decades as it does with the literal and metaphorical ups and downs of cycling the entirety of France, from north to south coast.

Back in 1994, Jersey residents Matt Lamy and his dad Arthur decided to undertake a 1000km trans-France bike trip. Last year, the pair embarked on the same trip, some 21 years later - with a lot of water having travelled under the bridge between the two excursions.

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Nigel Wynn