Episode 13: Lee Craigie, storyteller and bike adventurer, on her new book ‘Other Ways to Win’
Scottish mountain biker Lee Craigie describes herself as a storyteller and bike adventurer, and in this episode of the Spindrift Podcast she talks about her new book 'Other Ways to Win: A Competitive Cyclist's Reflections on Success'. The book is an autobiographical looks at her life, told in adventures, from childhood, to UK National Cross-country Mountain Bike Champion, to the formation of the Adventure Syndicate; along the way, Lee reflects on how success is and can be defined.
For anyone expecting a step-by-step guide to smashing endurance events or winning races, this isn’t that kind of book. Instead, as Lee talks us through some of the key moments in her life represented within its pages, it becomes a thought-provoking exploration of what ‘winning’ actually means, and for Lee, it’s about more than medals - though those are great too!
Lee is an incredible storyteller - it’s clear both in her writing and in how she shares her experiences through this conversation. She’s also passionate about social justice, and that’s a thread that weaves it’s way through her whole story. As well as talking about some of the amazing adventures she’s had, she discusses how a move to eliminate social injustice and towards a wellbeing economy could have massive positive implications for society.
She also talks about the power of storytelling to connect with people, but how it’s also important to switch off the camera and be in the moment; that the best storytelling comes when the teller has been fully immersed in the adventure itself.
‘Other Ways to Win’ is published by Vertebrate Press, and is available to buy online. An audio book, read by Lee, is also available on Audible.
Keep up with Lee Craigie:
Find out more about the Adventure Syndicate, and their latest adventures and stories:
This episode was produced and presented by Aoife Glass, and edited by Aoife Glass and Francesca Turauskis (Tremula Network)