Mike O'Connor
Australian cycling’s rich history has been given another chapter with the release of a new book by Ben Schofield, continuing a long-running series that captures the heroes of the sport’s past.
The latest instalment in Schofield’s Wheel Life series brings together a collection of light-hearted, conversational interviews with a number of well-known Australian cyclists, offering first-hand accounts of racing across a transformative period for the sport through the 90s and 2000s.
Each chapter profiles an individual rider before expanding into their recollections of defining races, influential figures and the places that shaped their careers.
Many of the icons of the era are featured, including Robbie McEwan, Anna Meares, Kathy Watt, Michelle Ferris, Stuart O’Grady, Damian McDonald and more.
Rather than presenting a single narrative, the book leans on multiple perspectives, allowing stories to overlap and diverge. The result is a layered portrait of Australian cycling, where shared moments are revisited through different lenses, adding depth and context to the era.
Schofield’s approach mirrors that of his earlier titles, Wheel Life – Cycling Recollections of the 1950s and 60s and Wheel Life 2 – Cycling Recollections of the 1970s and 80s, which documented the post-war decades and the evolution of the sport through to the late 20th century.
Together, the three volumes span six decades of Australian cycle racing, building an oral history drawn directly from those who lived it.
Across the series, the emphasis remains on storytelling rather than statistics. Anecdotes, rivalries and behind-the-scenes insights sit alongside reflections on how the sport has changed, offering a sense of how much our love affair with cycling has changed over the decades.
At the same time, the new book provides a vivid snapshot of the culture and character of the sport across generations.
The book can be ordered on Amazon, Booktopia and Dymocks. It retails for around $60.
Mike O’Connor – A keen cyclist, runner and photographer, Mike O’Connor is the Editor of Bicycling Australia. He manages the BA website and social media, and loves promoting the achievements of Australian cyclists.
