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Saving Lucy

A girl, a bike, a street dog

Published by VeloPress
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
LIST PRICE $18.95

About The Book

★★★★★ "This story grabs your heart and never lets go."

Saving Lucy is the true and inspiring story of two creatures in need of healing and rescue—who find home in each other.

Ishbel Rose Holmes was adrift and alone when she set out to bicycle across the world. She was pedalling across Turkey when a street dog, Lucy, crossed her path and changed her life forever.

Ishbel did not want anything or anyone to slow her down, but when she witnessed Lucy attacked by other dogs, Ishbel rescued her—forming a deep bond between the pair. Ishbel recognized her own vulnerability in her new canine friend and launched a heartfelt mission to find Lucy a home and give her a happy life.

Their adventures took them over 1,000 miles to the Syrian border and into the hearts of everyone who met them. People around the world who followed the story on Ishbel’s blog, World Bike Girl, watched as Lucy’s unconditional love broke down the wall around Ishbel’s heart.

About The Author

Ishbel Rose Holmes, aka “World Bike Girl,” is British-Iranian and a daredevil adventurer. In 2014, she set off to cycle the world and has so far pedalled across 16 countries in Europe and South America. She is currently on a 6,000 km adventure through the Amazon jungle. Ishbel cycles with a dog trailer that she uses to rescue animals as she pedals. Working together with her thousands of big-hearted and loyal followers, Ishbel makes sure that injured cats and dogs get the correct medical care, then she looks after them until they find a home.

Ishbel uses the bicycle as a platform to campaign for women’s rights, especially for those in Iran. Ishbel became one of the principal campaigners for the online hashtag campaign #IranianWomenLoveCycling after Iran’s Supreme Leader issued a religious ban on women cycling in public in 2016.

Before cycling the world, Ishbel was a velodrome sprinter for the Iranian National Women’s Team. Her racing pedigree in the UK includes her role as a Scottish Institute of Sport Athlete, Glasgow Life Athlete, and British Masters Track Champion. Before racing on velodromes, Ishbel spent many years road racing all over the UK.

Product Details

  • Publisher: VeloPress (October 24, 2018)
  • Length: 224 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781937715854

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Raves and Reviews

"Who saved whom? Ishbel is a truly incredible and determined woman whose emotional story takes you on a journey of tears, laughter, hope, and inspiration with her heartwarming friendship with a stray dog that becomes a connection and rescue for both of them. Beyond inspiring!”

Dion Leonard, author of Finding Gobi

“In this beautifully crafted book, we see how the courage of one woman shines through after a childhood of incredible hardship. . . . Her beautiful and inspiring book is a true and passionate journey of . . . unconditional love.”

Frank Gilhooley, Scottish actor

“Hooked by page 2. Tears by page 5. This is a gem of a story written by a brave and inspiring young woman with an XXL heart. If you love travel and love animals, you’ll adore this book.”

Jason Lewis, award-winning author, explorer, and sustainability campaigner

“[Saving Lucy] is an extraordinary story about the union of an independent, adventurous woman and a fiercely determined dog. . . . The story depicts their moments of creativity, uncertainty, hope, despair and sheer determination. Ultimately, it reveals the strength of the relationship and bond that they developed and the power of reciprocal healing.”

Jan Rees, OBE, founder of The Rees Foundation, a foster care charity

“An incredible story about amazing Ishbel and her cycling adventure. Ishbel takes us on her rollercoaster of a journey through life, and through Turkey, on a bike with Lucy. It’s a great readparticularly if you’re a cycle tourist or dog lover.”

Simon Stanforth, founder of Stanforth Bikes, a UK touring bike company

“I’ve enjoyed following Ishbel’s travels over the yearsshe has such a wonderful way with storytelling. Down to earth, honest, funnyshe mixes grit with unshakable optimism. Her passion to explore this precious planet under her own steam is infectious, and it’s a joy to be swept up in her world, and in her incredible journey. What I love most about this book, however, is that Ishbel doesn’t skim over the dark times. She shines a light on the many twists and turns one woman’s life can take, and how ultimately she has turned her own often raw and painful experiences into a force for good in the world. That is the greatest triumph of all, and I have no doubt that her story will inspire millions.”

Anna McNuff, adventurer, speaker, and World Champion rower

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