Riding with Giants

My struggles with modern capitalism, the lessons from children, and the joys of cycling fast

A story about the nature of work, the science of bicycles and the wisdom of children.

International businessman Peter Holmes à Court left the executive world and found himself living deep in rural France with only his seven-year-old twin girls for company.

Peter was struggling as a single father in a foreign country - unsettled by the sudden move away from a traditional job, and completely baffled by the society around him. His only plan: to ride L'Etape du Tour, the challenging amateur leg of the Tour de France. In an effort to find some new friends in the community - and a bike for the race - he discovered the region's small bicycle factory.

He was soon spending his days there: photographing his custom bike being built, meeting the locals, and learning about the rich traditions of artisan craftsmanship. Trying to enjoy the simple things and become a better father, Peter slowed down, and started to reflect seriously on history, industry and the structure of our modern economy. He and his daughters finally began to put down roots and understand the beauty and calm of a small-scale existence – and a very different approach to excellence and the well-lived life.

This is one man's compelling, informative and funny story about the wisdom of children, the nature of work today, and the science of bicycles.

What People Are Saying

“A hilariously self-deprecating memoir that’s both deeply touching and sneakily profound. When his marriage imploded, Holmes à Court headed into the middle of Nowheresville, France, his pre-teen twin daughters in tow, with the tripartite goal of learning a language, riding in a race, and writing a book. He succeeded at the first two, but failed to write the book he’d intended. Thank God for that, because the book he did write is an honest, touching, hilarious, and sneakily profound story of how a man realized what he really believed, what really mattered to him, and who he really was.”
— Duff McDonald, author of The Golden Passport: Harvard Business School, The Limits of Capitalism, and The Moral Failure of the MBA Elite

“Peter Holmes à Court has written a lyrical book full of passion, intensity and intelligence that teaches the ultimate life lesson: it’s all about the journey and those who ride it with you. The most original business book – and parenting manual – that you’ll read this year.”
— Roman Krznaric, social philosopher and author of Empathy, How to Find Fulfilling Work and Carpe Diem Regained 

“My first thought was ‘Shit, he can actually write.’ I really loved this book. Peter writes from an historically unique and sociologically fascinating position. Somehow he combines this with perceptiveness and a surprising writing talent. I feel it was pretty much his human duty to write a memoir. I am so glad he did. In the process, he’s written an Eat, Pray, Love for people who wished that book had sequel, for men, with more than a touch of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, only, in this case, it’s bicycles.”
— Jo Ely, author of Stone Seeds

“Honest, funny and thoughtfully-observational, Peter’s story makes us think hard about what we value as a society and why. In short, it’s the getting of wisdom by getting a bike.”
— Remo Giuffré, founder TEDxSydney, General Thinking & REMO

“Peter Holmes à Court's curiosity propels him to stoop forward and examine the mechanics of our world, yet he also possesses the courage to step back, look at himself and question his own positioning. The result is RIDING WITH GIANTS, an insightful read with a warm, radiant heart.”
— Jason Donald, author of Dalila and Choke Chain

“A great tale of a man smashing life. Clever and funny!”
— Tim Ferguson, Australian comedian, TV star, author, and probably someone who I asked who may not have read the book before commenting

“Peter's never been predictable; nor is his book. An emotional and unconventional memoir mixing business and family with energising questions about capitalism, modern life and what we should truly value.”
— Michael Bodey, author of Broadcast Wars and Aussiewood

“A book that refuses to fit a genre. It is about a beautifully-observed journey through France, but it is not a travelogue. It is about personal growth, but doesn’t pretend to preach ‘self-improvement’. It is very funny (at times painfully so), but nobody would ever classify it as ‘comedy’. And while it is gorgeously written, it somehow doesn’t sit comfortably on that pompous shelf marked ‘literature’. But if it is an honest account of one man’s transformation from uptight, entitled entrepreneur to human being, and that’s as easy to read as eating good comté cheese, this is your book.”
— Peter Greste, author of The First Casualty

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