The Race of Truth Book Release

04 Jun The Race of Truth Book Release

Posted at 20:58h in Blog, News by

I’m very, very excited to announce that The Race of Truth, the book about my 2018 record-breaking cycle across Europe, will be published by Summerdale on 13 July 2023.

This is an honest, first-hand account of my journey from searching for a new challenge, to innovating a scientific approach to ultra-endurance cycling and significantly breaking a world record. It’s a story about facing up to mental health challenges, about surrounding ourselves with people who will go the extra mile, about finding what we are truly capable of, and it’s an adrenaline-fuelled adventure across Europe. I’m proud to share my story in this book and I hope that it will entertain readers, while helping them to achieve their best, too.

This is the adventure The Race Of Truth will take you on:

Being the fastest cyclist in the world at the start line means nothing if your mind isn’t strong enough to get you to the finish line

In 2018, Leigh Timmis became the fastest person to cycle across Europe – in just 16 days, 10 hours and 45 minutes – breaking the previous world record by an astonishing eight days and seventeen hours. But when he set out to break the record, Leigh wasn’t just trying to conquer the road.

As he prepared his body for this ultra-endurance world record attempt, Leigh realized that he would have to confront deeper problems to make it to the finish line. Although test results showed that he already had the physical ability of an elite athlete, something else was holding him back: his troubled mind.

With the support of psychologists and sports science experts, Leigh confronted the past that had left him with vulnerabilities he would need to understand and overcome in the pursuit of performance. Then, cycling for 14 hours a day, from the west coast of Portugal to the edge of Siberia, he embarked on far more than just a physical journey.

The Race of Truth is the remarkable true story of personal transformation against the clock, and the astonishing feats we can accomplish when we face up to our deepest fears.

The Race Of Truth is available to order now online and will be available in all good book shops from 13 July 2023.

To keep up-to-date with book news, upcoming events and my cycling adventures, follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 



  • It’s was a real honour to partner with Leigh, he’s such an inspirational person and a great business speaker. The aim of the session was for delegates to leave in a positive, can do frame of mind, feeling confident that they can use some of Leigh’s tips to bolster team spirit, harness potential and exceed expectations. This is something I’m confident the event achieved

    Mary Maguire, MD, Astute Recruitment

  • Leigh is a natural communicator, using humour and his modest personality, Leigh's account of his fascinating experiences was delivered in a completely natural way that immediately connected with both the students and the teachers.

    Claire Tresidder, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School Ashbourne Academy

  • Wow. Utterly, wow. Leigh certainly was inspirational and indeed such a breath of fresh air, he created such a buzz around the school. I was impressed by not only the attendance of staff and parents, but the volume of students who came along. Thank you – Leigh really has touched and motivated a lot of our students

    Roberta Keys, Deputy Headteacher, Malvern College

  • Leigh delivered a fantastic presentation during our Global Health and Wellbeing day. We had a lot of positive feedback from his inspirational talk which definitely raised the profile of mental health within our organisation. Leigh is an inspiration to everyone

    David Wilson, Global Head of Health and Wellbeing, Victrex

  • Leigh articulates his passion and learning so well that his enthusiasm and motivation transcends the world of sport and is relevant for physical, psychological and organisational wellness and performance. He is a truly phenomenal speaker and comes highly recommended

    Deputy Chief Constable, East Midlands Special Operations Unit

  • Leigh delivered one of the most professional and engaging talks at the festival this year. It was clear that Leigh had put a lot of thought into what he wanted to convey in his talk, carefully pulling out the key stories and themes from all his years on the road. Leigh's talk was engaging throughout and delivered with a real sense of humility.

    Laura Moss, Cycle Touring Festival Organiser

  • When we invited Leigh to present to our staff about his experiences in creating a support echo system and team to help him break a world record, we never imagined that it would have had such a positive impact on everyone who attended. Leigh influenced, motived and inspired our staff to be the better version of themselves and gave them guidance and the tools to achieve this individually and within a team environment

    Steve Reynolds, CEO, TBS Mobility

  • The TEDxRNCM audience were utterly captured through Leigh’s account. This wasn’t just an account however, but an experience. Eloquently delivered but with real personality, Leigh gave inspiration, insight, enjoyment and even humour - a talk I won’t be forgetting for a long time

    Hayley Parkes, TEDx Event Organiser

  • The young people of Kingsmead School are generally from disadvantaged backgrounds and have low aspirations for their future. Leigh held the attention of the young people superbly, he was entertaining and funny and the pupils engagement was not lost at all. I would heartily recommend Leigh and his inspirational story to anyone, it left pupils and staff inspired and awestruck.

    Huw Lloyd, Assistant Headteacher, Kingsmead School


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