A French girlfriend introduced Graeme Fife to raclette, a broader perspective on life, thinking and joie de vivre and the Tour de France and French cycling journalism, the philosophy of sport and the heroic nature of the bike race.

Since then, this passion has seeded books, articles, radio programmes, epic rides, acquaintance with some of the most illustrious men and women in cycling as well as staunch and enduring friendships on and off the bike.

The Beautiful Machine is a celebration of the bicycle and the joy, wonder, adventure, good times and bad bad times associated with it and of the people who ride and with whom Fife has ridden. Explorations of all dimensions of the experience on, round, with, via and about the beautiful machine.

Graeme will be signing copies of the book, offered at the discounted price of £15.00. Bar available.

Image by Stephan Vanfleteren, part of “Flandrien: Hard Men and Heroes”, an exhibition at the Host Gallery