ISHBEL HOLMES

Ishbel Holmes a.k.a. World Bike Girl is a Scottish-Iranian adventurer who set out to cycle the world in 2014 and was in Turkey when she encountered the street dog she named Lucy, who helped her to confront her own past as a homeless, abused teenager.

Before setting out to cycle the world, Ishbel was a velodrome sprinter for the Iranian Women’s Team and road raced extensively in the UK. She is devoted to the social, environmental and health benefits of cycling and an avid wearer of socks with sandals – much to the dismay of her friends.

She now cycles with a dog trailer that she uses to help injured animals get medical care and find homes. She regularly gives talks and has been featured by media worldwide. In summer 2018 she cycled the UK to promote her first book, published by Bradt in the UK and Velo in North America, and as an audiobook by Tantor Media.

Shortlisted for the Stanfords/Lonely Planet Adventure Travel Book Award 2019

Book:

ME, MY BIKE AND A STREET DOG CALLED LUCY (UK)
SAVING LUCY: A Girl, a Bike, a Street Dog (US)

Rights sold in Mexico, Norway, Germany and China

‘Ishbel is awesome’ – Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister for Scotland

‘Ishbel is a truly incredible and determined woman whose emotional story takes you on a journey of tears, laughter, hope and inspiration’ – Dion Leonard, author of Finding Gobi

‘Hooked by page 2. Tears by page 5. This is a gem of a story.’ – Jason Lewis, author and explorer

‘Down to earth, honest, funny – she mixes grit with unshakable optimism… It’s a joy to be swept up in her world… 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’ – Anna McNuff, adventurer and speaker