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Always "French Revolutions" - one of the books I can read again and again.
"Rough Ride" is an essential for anyone interested in pro-cycling / doping.
I thought the Wheatcroft book could have been about 25% shorter if he hadn't kept on showing off how clever he was - still an interesting read though.
"Push yourself a little bit more" - Johnny Green - failed to impress me, or Mrs P, who was a big punk fan in her youth.
Wiggins book was a waste of paper, time and money. My wife's best friend gave it to me, otherwise it would be in Oxfam by now.
Finally, not really about cycling, but "Memoirs of a fox-hunting man" has a large-ish section about cycling, and is never mentioned.
Will deffo put "Slaying the Badger" on the list.
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I've just ordered this
http://www.bookdepository.com/Lanterne-Rouge-Max-Leonard/9780224091992
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Also, some people like Graham Fife's books but I found him so self-satisfied he might as well be a top poster in Any Questions Answered.
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No mention yet of 'The Flying Scotsman' by Graeme Obree, which is the one cycling book by a rider that I've enjoyed (although I haven't read many). I'm sure many *on here* have read it.
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Three men on a bummel by Jerome k Jerome . Three middle aged men touring the Black Forest by bike a fun read
I was just going to say that it was strange that no one had mentioned anything from the past, but this took the wind from my sails. BTW, I don't think the three men are middle aged - at least not by my standards. It should be mentioned that Jerome is best known for 'Three Men in a Boat', which I think is a better book, but 'Three Men on the Bummel' is well worth reading, if only for the section which distinguishes people who have bikes to mend (or in this case, wreck) and those who have them for actual cycling.
Another book from about the same period, which I believe everyone in the bike game with any interest in the past should read is H.G. Wells' 'The Wheels of Chance'. This dates from the 1890's and is about a cycling tour which develops into a love affair. The central character (who has the memorable name of Hoopdriver) starts his journey from Putney, and rides down the Porstmouth Road, so it's territory that many of us know.
A slightly later work which has given me a lot of pleasure recently is:
so it's easily available.
Moving forward a few decades, I strongly recommend:
'Demain, On Roule.' by Jean Bobet. (Tomorrow We Ride)
Jean Bobet (who I'm pretty sure is still alive) is Louison's younger brother. Louison won the TdF in 1953,4 &5, the first multiple winner, and surely one of the greatest riders of all time, even though little talked of today. Jean was also a good pro rider, although somewhat overshadowed by his elder brother. He is an intellectual among bike riders, speaks good English, and had a career as a journalist after he finished as a coureur. He has written a number of books, but I think Demain On Roule is outstanding: it has many lively anecdotes, but the final sequence is very moving - I won't say more now, just read it.
Jean's French is easy and accessible, but there is now an English translation. -
Lapize: Now There Was an Ace, by Jean Bobet, which I borrowed from Walthamstow library, gave great descriptions of cycling in the early years of the last century - racing the Tourmalet fixed, Paris-Bordeaux etc
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Ooh, just remembered - 'Around the world on a bicycle' by Thomas Stevens is amazing. He rides across the US, then across Europe and Asia on a penny farthing.
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Anything by William Fotheringham, all extremely well researched and written.
In Pursuit of Stardom by Tony Hewson; the amazing adventures of a bunch of lads who, back in the 50's, decided to try and make it as pro cyclists in Europe. Tony has his own web site, so you can buy this direct if you wish.
Tomorrow We Ride, by Jean Bobet (younger brother of Louison), an insiders look at top level pro riding in the 50's, with a very poignant ending.
The Rider has been mentioned, and should be a must read for anyone who considers themselves a cyclist as should French Revolutions, as it is so well written and so funny.
Wide Eyed and Legless by Jeff Connor; follows the ANC-Halfords team on their attempt to dominate the 1987 TdF. It is really several books in one, as Jeff includes the reports he was sending back to his newspaper as well as the day to day workings of the ANC-Halfords team.
One to miss in my opinion is Project Rainbow by Rod Ellingworth. The subject matter is worthy, but Rod really should have had the help of a ghost writer... and if he did, he should have used someone else. It is dry, long and in the end a test of my resolve to finish the damn thing, as it was a gift from my son.
Come and Gone, and Dog in a Hat by Joe Parkin, a couple of entertaining 'warts and all' books from within both the European peleton and also on life afterwards in the American cycling world.
Another I didn't really enjoy was Paul Kimmage's, Rough Ride. It just left me feeling that he was all bitter and bent out of shape because he didn't make it as a pro... and this was not just to do with the drugs.
On the same subject, Dave Millar's book is a lot better and enlightening about the life (and loneliness) of a pro rider.
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And here's a cycling picture book for the kids...
Scheduled for publication later this year (assuming the Kickstarter fundraising campaign – TBA soon – is successful).
Get in touch if you have any feedback, questions, etc.
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Les pieds nickelés au tour de France - Roland De Montaubert, René Pellos - Amazon.fr - Livres
Les Pieds Nickeles au Tour de France.
The 'Nickeled Feet' are three comrades who want to scam their way to a fortune by cheating in the Tour. An example of their methods is the 'voiture aspirateur'(hoover car) which uses a suck and blow effect to help their man and hinder the others.
You'll love this if you have an interest in tour history - great cameos of riders from the '50's in this volume - Coppi, Geminiani, Koblet etc.
Just two little cautions: this one is not all about cycling, but the other stories have their interest, also it's not translated, and I certainly needed a dictionary because there's a lot of slang. However the drawing are mostly self explanatory. -
Henri Desgrange sounds like a right dogshit.
Quite odd to read this on lfgss of all places since Desgrange was the man who stood against variable gears, and successfully prevented their introduction until he retired through ill health after 1936.
Personally I'd love to see a fixed wheel stage in the tour now. And no other gadgets like power meters or radios either!
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Quite odd to read this on lfgss of all places since Desgrange was the man who stood against variable gears, and successfully prevented their introduction until he retired through ill health after 1936.
Personally I'd love to see a fixed wheel stage in the tour now. And no other gadgets like power meters or radios either!
More due to his treatment of riders and everyone else he dealt with. Clearly a driven man with great vision, but not a nice bloke.
Fixed gear stage would be fun for sure.
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^^ If I'm going to tell people about a picture book I guess it helps to include a picture...
More here: http://yngbkrz.tumblr.com
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+1 for French Revolutions
+1 for The Rider
+1 for A Race for MadmenAll three are excellent.
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Josie Dew- wind in my wheels. Really nice read, very down to earth.
Fignon- we were young and carefree. Well written, by an awesome cyclist.
Sean Yates- it's all about the bike. Never read a book by a cometitive cyclist who is still so involved with the sport- normally they seem to stop cycling when they retire.
Anquetil- sex, lies and handlebar tape- memoirs of a different age.
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Sean Yates- it's all about the bike. Never read a book by a cometitive cyclist who is still so involved with the sport- normally they seem to stop cycling when they retire.
I don't think this is true at all.
One example, since we're talking about books here, is Vin Denson's book 'The Full Cycle'. His theme is that he started as a club time triallist, went to France, rode the Tour, and worked for Anquetil as a domestique. Eventually he came home and went back to time trialling.
But aside from books, I can assure you that the old cyclists' world is stuffed full of ancient pros (and a lot of good amateurs) who refuse to give up riding (see above, Louison and Jean Bobet).
In order to be a success in this game true love of the sport is a great asset, and true love means a lifetime commitment which is often carried on after actual riding is in the past. There are endless Londoners names I could mention here but I'll restrict myself to just one living example of each gender: Keith Butler, who founded the Surrey League, and Eileen Sheridan.
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The Rider: Amazon.co.uk: Tim Krabbe, Sam Garrett: Books
This is great.
I know of no other that come close to just how readable this is.the author still rides, here's a short movie on him
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A bit left field in the nutrition arena...Feed Zone Portables
Definitely made me from a chump with gels to a hero on the roadie with a picnic...smashing massive hills and then still having energy left for more. His essays on how nutrition, how your body changes when cycling and other things are worthwhile reading too.
Highly recommended too if you just love eating...and love cycling. Why not combine the two and eat while you cycle?
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^ I've got the 'Feed Zone' book, which has a section on portables, but loads of other meals too. I think it's pretty great, Don't really use all that many recipes from it (but do rice cakes a lot), but it's given me lots of ideas and a good insight into nutrition.
Has anyone read this? Am after something light hearted but informative and this seems to fill the brief
Faster: The Obsession, Science and Luck Behind the World's Fastest Cyclists: Amazon.co.uk: Michael Hutchinson: Books -
^ I've got the 'Feed Zone' book, which has a section on portables, but loads of other meals too. I think it's pretty great, Don't really use all that many recipes from it (but do rice cakes a lot), but it's given me lots of ideas and a good insight into nutrition.
Yeah, I normally go for the pizza roll ups...I could have those for lunch any day of the week, on the couch or on the bike. I changed his recipe up a bit...so now I have a apple/sultana/cinnamon version too....absolutely tops!
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Has anyone read this? Am after something light hearted but informative and this seems to fill the brief
Faster: The Obsession, Science and Luck Behind the World's Fastest Cyclists: Amazon.co.uk: Michael Hutchinson: BooksYes.
I'm faster than the guy who wrote it though (over 12hr) so maybe it should just be called Fast.
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Pizza roll ups aren't in the book i have (i don't have the portables specific one, just the general one) but they sound ace in concept! How does it work?
Hippy, is that how you're faster over 12 hours than Hutchinson? A calzone in the back pocket?
Yeah, I normally go for the pizza roll ups...I could have those for lunch any day of the week, on the couch or on the bike. I changed his recipe up a bit...so now I have a apple/sultana/cinnamon version too....absolutely tops!
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Cycling books
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@Oliver Schick
I've not read many cycling books, so I don't have lots to compare it to, but I really enjoyed this: http://www.tonyhewson.com/in-pursuit-of-stardom.php