Book Велорух

«Велорух» is the first comprehensive book about the phenomenon of modern bicycle culture in Ukraine. It contains illustrated stories about bicycle trips, races and clubs, iconic bicycle cafes and shops. It also shares stories from the bicycling community about Ukrainian defenders, and the role of a bicycle during war, which provides flexibility in hard-to-reach locations.

The book consists of four parts:

Travels: a cycling guide across regions, which shows that anywhere in Ukraine can be reached by bicycle with the correct kind of bicycle and a proper route.

Sport: an overview of common types of cycling in Ukraine and key races to participate in.

Bicycle and the city: stories about iconic cycling locations and events, that unite the cycling community and might interest the general public.

Bicycle during war: stories about bicycles became indispensable in newly de-occupied towns and villages.

Illustrations: a separate part of the book with the works of modern Ukrainian illustrators: Romana Ruban, Nataliia Shulga, Serhii Maidukov, and others.

Over 70 authors, photographers, and illustrators connected with Ukrainian cycling culture contributed to the creation of this book.

About the compilers

Yurii Makalis is an Odesa local who has loved cycling in all its forms since childhood: from a small tricycle, to “Школяр” and “Салют”, and finally the first aluminium Specialized in his college years. He has been a member of the oldest cycling club in Odesa, “Atlet”, since 2012. He has travelled and explored different parts of the world on a bicycle and as a boat driver: from Hawaii to Alaska, from Norway to Australia. Upon his return to Odesa, he joined the Southern Cycling League that organises local and international road racing. One of his favorite activities is photographing bicycle races and everything related to bicycles. In 2022 he won Mark Gunter Photo Awards — one of the most prestigious photo contests in the world in the field of bicycle photography.

Mariia Shevchenko, IT entrepreneur and co-founder of the “Maya” charitable foundation. Her introduction to cycling began with traveling with friends around Kyiv on a rare Botteccia in 2012. Participant and prize-winner of highway cycling competitions, member of the “Echelon” cycling club. Organizer of a series of events for the cycling community “1ЧСС party” and co-author of the first Ukrainian cycling podcast Rotor and Glitter.