Ishbel Rose Holmes - Saving Lucy: A girl, a bike, a street dog

PRAISE FOR SAVING LUCY

Whatever your battle, whatever your goal, this book will be a profound source of inspiration.

Laura Simpson, founder of the Harmony Fund and former US Director of the World Society for the Protection of Animals

Who saved whom? Ishbel is a truly incredible and determined woman whose emotional story takes you on a journey of tears, laughter, hope, and inspiration. Her heartwarming friendship with a stray dog becomes a connection and rescue for both of them. Beyond inspiring!

Dion Leonard, author of Finding Gobi

In this beautifully crafted book, we see how the courage of one woman shines through after a childhood of incredible hardship.... Her beautiful and inspiring book is a true and passionate journey of unconditional love.

Frank Gilhooley, Scottish actor, writer, and director

Hooked by page 2. Tears by page 5. This is a gem of a story written by a brave and inspiring young woman with an XXL heart. If you love travel and love animals, youll adore this book.

Jason Lewis, award-winning author, explorer, and sustainability campaigner

[Saving Lucy] is an extraordinary story about the union of an independent, adventurous woman and a fiercely determined dog.... The story depicts their moments of creativity, uncertainty, hope, despair, and sheer determination. Ultimately, it reveals the strength of the relationship and the power of reciprocal healing.

Jan Rees, OBE, founder of The Rees Foundation

An incredible story.... Ishbel takes us on her rollercoaster of a journey through life, and through Turkey, on a bike with Lucy. Its a great readparticularly if youre a cycle tourist or dog lover.

Simon Stanforth, founder of Stanforth Bikes, a UK touring bike company

Down to earth, honest, funnyIshbel mixes grit with unshakable optimism. Her passion to explore the planet under her own steam is infectious, and its a joy to be swept up in her world, and in her incredible journey. What I love most about this book, however, is that Ishbel doesnt skim over the dark times. She shines a light on the many twists and turns one womans life can take, and how ultimately she has turned her own often raw and painful experiences into a force for good in the world. I have no doubt that her story will inspire millions.

Anna McNuff, adventurer, speaker, and World Champion rower

Copyright 2018 by Ishbel Rose Holmes

All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America by VeloPress, a division of Competitor Group, Inc.

Authors note: I have tried to describe the events, locales, and conversations from my memories of them. In some instances, to maintain their anonymity, I have changed the names of individuals and places, and I have changed some identifying characteristics and details such as physical traits, occupations, and locations.

3002 Sterling Circle, Suite 100

Boulder, CO 803012338 USA

VeloPress is the leading publisher of books on endurance sports and is a division of Pocket Outdoor Media. Focused on cycling, triathlon, running, swimming, and nutrition/diet, VeloPress books help athletes achieve their goals of going faster and farther. Preview books and contact us at velopress.com.

Distributed in the United States and Canada by Ingram Publisher Services

The Library of Congress has cataloged the printed edition as follows:

Name: Holmes, Ishbel Rose, author.

Title: Saving Lucy: A girl, a bike, a street dog / Ishbel Rose Holmes.

Description: Boulder, Colorado: VeloPress, 2018.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018019147 (print) | LCCN 2018026797 (ebook) | ISBN 9781948006033 | ISBN 9781937715854 (pbk.: alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Holmes, Ishbel RoseTravelTurkey. Human-animal relationships. | Dog rescue. | CyclingTurkey. | CyclistsBiography.

Classification: LCC GV1051.H665 (ebook) | LCC GV1051.H665 A3 2018 (print) DDC 796.609561dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018019147

Cover design by Jessica D. Case

Interior design by Ali Burke

Map by Katie Eberts

Photos courtesy of Ishbel Rose Holmes, except: paperback insert p. 2, Michael Gillen/Falkirk Herald; p. 3 (top), Mustafa Saripek/DHA; p. 3 (bottom) and p. 8 (bottom), Jane Akatay

v. 3.1

For Lucy

Ill love you until the day I die.

CONTENTS

World Bike Girl quickly became among the most popular hashtags for animal lovers tracking the story of cyclist Ishbel Holmes, who was riding across the whole of Turkey on a mission to find a place of sanctuary for a lonely street dog. When I first heard about Ishbel and her journey, I thought, Her legs must be so strong to pedal with the weight of a full-grown dog. But once I got to know Ishbel, I quickly learned that her formidable power comes from a place much deeper than the muscles in her legs.

As founder of the Harmony Fund animal rescue charity, I surround myself with men and women who not only possess tremendous hearts but are also seemingly made of iron. They push tirelessly, day in and day out, against snowstorms and hurricanes, drought and poverty, all to save the lives of animals in need. Ishbel immediately fit right into this circle of remarkable rescuers, but it wasnt until she told her storyher whole storythat I realized just how profound her journey has been.

Having hungered for love throughout her traumatic childhood, Ishbel finally found it in the space between two sunrises when a persistent little dog chased her down and simply would not let her go. Shed never encountered this dog before, never shared food with her or even a kind or encouraging word. But inexplicably, Lucy ran as fast as her paws would take her in hot pursuit of Ishbels speedy wheels. It didnt take much for the bond between the two to cement. They shared a meal, a night under the stars, and a few miles on the road. That was all it took for the two wanderers to become an inseparable duo.

Each time Ishbel set out on another leg of her cycling trip, there was Lucy, right beside her, eager to resume her position in the basket that Ishbel had fashioned for her at the front of her bike. The going was not easy. At first, protection was as simple as Ishbel wrapping her arms around Lucy to calm her when trucks rumbled by. But in the weeks that followed, the two would literally save each others lives from packs of wild dogs, would-be rapists, and those who would attempt to exploit them. Indeed, Ishbel and Lucy found the one thing theyd both been searching for their whole lives... family. And Ishbel became a full-fledged warrior in the mission to protect her own.

If youve ever wondered what molds a hero, this story is for you. Saving Lucy is raw and sweet and as honest as the day is long. Its about awakening the courage you never knew you had and unearthing the life-calling that has been waiting for you. Whatever your battle, whatever your goal, this book will be a profound source of inspiration.

Laura Simpson, founder of the Harmony Fund and former US Director of the World Society for the Protection of Animals

O n my very first night cycling the world, with 65 pounds of luggage hanging from my bicycle, I realized I had forgotten to pack a lighter. I sat outside my tent in darkness, striking two pebbles together without success. Crawling into my sleeping bag that night, I was hungry and disappointed, knowing a real adventurer would have found a way to light her stove and cook dinner.