Okay, so I devoured this book like a post-ride burrito. Jody Rosen? More like Jody *Rollin’*—because this dude takes you on a global joyride through bike history, culture, and chaos. As someone who’s cycled through three flats in one day (don’t ask), I felt SEEN.

The good stuff first: The chapters on Bhutan’s insane ‘Race of the Thunder Dragon’ had me gripping my handlebars. Rosen’s obsession with bikes as cultural rebels—from suffragettes on wheels to Bangladeshi cargo cyclists hauling literal mountains—is contagious. Also, his NYC biking rants? *Chef’s kiss.*

But… sometimes it swerves like a squirrel-chased commuter. One minute you’re in 19th-century France, next you’re knee-deep in urban planning debates. And yeah, the political tangents made me sigh louder than my creaky chain. Still, when he describes cycling as ‘flying while staying human’? Sold.

Final verdict: 4/5 helmets. Perfect for bike nerds who also want cocktail-party trivia (‘Did you know early cyclists caused butter shortages?’). Just maybe skip the last 50 pages if politics ain’t your peloton.