Emily Chappell – Where There’s a Will

Hope, Grief and Endurance in a Cycle Race Across a Continent

Where There’s A Will is the second book written by Emily Chappell, one of the founding members of The Adventure Syndicate. Her first, What Goes Around, was an account of her life in London as a cycle courier. Now Emily reflects back on 2015 when she first embarked on the Transcontinental, a 4,000km unsupported race across Europe.

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 was the first competing woman to cross the finish line. Her memoir offers inspiration, motivation and a fascinating insight into a woman’s life devoted to cycling.

It’s not just Emily’s writing. The photos also transport you into the world of the Transcontinental.

Where There’s a Will takes us into Emily’s race, grinding up mountain passes and charging down the other side; snatching twenty minutes’ sleep before hitting the road for another day. We experience the crippling self-doubt of the life of an ultra-distance cyclist and the confusing intensity of winning.

Emily Chappell is a compelling story teller, keeping the reader captivated even during the most mundane of endurance cycling situations. Such is Emily’s style, you almost feel as if you were there, riding alongside with her on the cols. From her amusing observations of the quirky world of the audax cyclist, to the devastating loss of close friend Mike Hall, Where There’s A Will is gripping reading from cover to cover.

After reading Where There’s a Will, I’m no more compelled to ride the Transcontinental as I now feel like I’ve been there. I’ll also find it much harder to find excuses for not riding in bad weather and complaining about suffering on a long climb…