Ride: BMX Glory, Against All the Odds: BMX Glory, Against All the Odds, the John Buultjens Story

Great story with all the truth left in from a true rags to riches tale. Well done John. Well worth a read

John’s story is an emotional ride that evokes many emotions. He doesn’t always come across that well, but in many ways that is what makes the story so compelling.It is a warts and all story of survival, and of the will to rise above it all to be the best that he can within his chosen profession. It is harrowing, but there’s a live story hidden in there. And by that I don’t mean man/women in the traditional sense, but for a mother and father and son. John makes many mistakes along the way, but by acknowledging them leaves himself exposed for who he is.The book is like the title a ride, and even if you don’t know about or care about BMXing it doesn’t matter read it.

As a 49 year old rediscovering skateparks and bmx with my 10 year old son after a break of 30+ years, I was keen to find out what happened to the guys I looked up to back in the day. A quick internet search revealed this book by John Buultjens, a fellow Scot. What a great read! This isn’t a book about the technical aspects of bmx riding but rather an inspirational story of how a loving adoptive family and bmx gave the author the focus and opportunity to achieve great things in his sport. This is a ‘warts and all’ expose of John’s life; at times heartbreaking and at others truly motivational. It moves along at a cracking pace, charting John’s progress from most difficult beginnings to the top of the bmx world. Thoroughly recommended and I’m really looking forward to seeing the movie later this year.

This book isn't just for BMX fans (although if you are one, it will blow your mind). I bought Ride because it piqued my interest: how did this kid from Glasgow break free from his violent upbringing to literally live his dream and passion. How did a bike, a sport, save his life? Yes it's a book that features some great BMX history and anecdotal stories of the sport's legends, but for me it spoke more of the resilience of the human spirit; the power of the mind; the importance of a loving family (not necessarily biological); that your past does not define you. I found it funny, poignant, confronting, ballsy, honest and inspiring...and I'm not even into BMX.I simply couldn't put it down and am impatient to see it hit the big screen. Congratulations on an extraordinary life...you truly are a Phoenix from the ashes.Great book!

Excellent book and excellent film.

Reading this book literally is a ride. An extraordinary brutal and raw account. It had me in tears of sadness and in other parts laughing out loud.The authors intent is to inspire others and he applies the same determination to learning a BMX stunt to the way he has lived his life.Everything is exposed as he fights to escape the patterns of behaviour from the trauma of his childhood. In the end the message is about the power of unconditional love in overcoming adversity. The author couldn't change his past but became master architect of his future.An inspirational read.

This book will leave you wondering why the hell they haven't made a movie about John's life...oh wait, they have ! An amazing, emotional and inspiring page turning read, I devoured this book in one sitting. If you read only one book in your lifetime, make it this one. If you read a second book, make it this one again. Having known John for over 30 years, this book is such a brutally honest reflection of a great guy. If you aren’t affected by this, then quite simply you don't have a pulse.

I’ve always had an interest in BMXing but never did anything about it. I saw the author John on the local news and read a couple of articles in the papers and thought his book would be worth a read. Wow, what a life he’s had and what a truly inspirational guy he is. The book is easy to read and very enjoyable. It makes you realise that whatever you want in life you can achieve through hard work.