Bikes & Books: Emily Chappell and Jools Walker

Come join us for an online evening of conversation and discussion between Jools Walker and Emily Chappell; hearing about the stories behind their two books, followed by an opportunity to ask questions and delve deeper into their experiences as women carving out their own space in the world of cycling...

~ ~ ~

Jools' blog and social media presence have evolved from being her 'tiny corner of the internet' (as she still calls it) to inspiring women and young girls around the world to get on the saddle and ride. Instagram named Jools as one of the most influential female storytellers in their #MyStoryUK campaign.

Jools now finds herself talking about cycling culture, and what it’s like to be a woman in that domain on platforms as varied as BBC Newsnight, the Design Museum, BBC Radio 4, and Southbank Centre’s WOW Festival.

In Back in the Frame Jools talks to the other female trailblazers who are disrupting the cycling narrative as well as telling the story of how she overcame her health problems, learned how to cycle her own path and even found a love of Lycra shorts along the way.

~ ~ ~

Emily Chappell worked as a cycle courier in London for many years, telling her story in What Goes Around. Since then she has explored the world on her bike and committed to supporting others to do the same, as a founder of The Adventure Syndicate. Her writing has featured in Vogue, Cyclist, National Geographic and the Guardian.

~ About Where There's a Will ~

In 2015 Emily Chappell embarked on a formidable new bike race: The Transcontinental. 4,000km across Europe, unassisted, in the shortest time possible. On her first attempt she made it only halfway where she found herself suddenly on her back in a field, floored by the physical and mental exertion.

A year later she entered the race again – and won.

Where There’s a Will takes us into Emily Chappell’s race, grinding up mountain passes and charging down the other side; snatching twenty minutes’ sleep on the outskirts of a village before jumping back on the bike to surge ahead for another day; eating whatever comes her way and navigating on the go. We experience the crippling self-doubt of the ultra-distance racer, the confusing intensity of winning and the devastation of losing a dear friend who understood all of this.