• The Cycling News forum is still looking to add volunteer moderators with. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to @SHaines here on the forum, or use the Contact Us form to message the Community Team.

    In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.

    Thanks!

Building A Cycling Bookshelf

Page 3 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Jun 27, 2011
21
0
0
Books

No one has mentioned The Story of the Tour de France Volume 1: 1903 - 1964.

Is this not a good read? I ask because it is $3.99 for Kindle and seems to be a good read. The other suggestions are noted.

Dan
 
Jul 17, 2009
4,316
2
0
Perhaps i'll post a how to build a bicycle table soon. but in the mountain bike section. maybe leave it for bc hills
 
Jan 19, 2011
132
0
0
The Dancing Chain by Frank J Berto - To quote the cover " History and development of the derailleur bicycle"
Adventure Cycle Touring Handbook by Stephen Lord
French Revolutions by Tim Moore


French Revolutions has been mentioned several times on this link. Has anyone read his other books "Frost on my Moustache" and "Grand tour"? If so, Are they a good read. Thanks.

To all you Canadians out there "Happy Canada Day"
 
"When We Were Young and Carefree" by Laurent Fignon is a wonderful read, and an interesting spin on the 1989 Tour for those who have read up lots on LeMond previously.

I've just finished reading "Wide Eyed And Legless" (re-released), which is about the farcical attempt of the British ANC professional team to ride and win the 1987 Tour de France (after training on criteriums). Entertaining and a bit of an eye opener. ("Team On The Run" about the Linda McCartney team is in a similar vein)

But I think my all time favourite is "Kings of the Mountains". Exhilarating, tragic and uplifting all at the same time.
 
Oct 25, 2010
434
0
0
I will second the Fignon book...really good read...the Robert Millar book is fantastic...I just got the life and death of Pantani book by Rendall...it's pretty d #amn good I think...very well written actually for a sports book...about half way thru...
 
May 10, 2011
37
0
0
I'm enjoying Ned Boulting's How I Won the Yellow Jumper at the moment. Nice anecdotes about covering the Tour de France, maybe more relevant if you've watched ITV4's coverage of the Tour in the past. Nothing too deep but it's brilliant to read in anticipation of Stage 1 tomorrow.

Also, I'd second the recommendation for Kings of the Mountains by Matt Rendell, possibly my favourite cycling book.
 
Oct 25, 2010
434
0
0
Reformed said:
No one has mentioned The Story of the Tour de France Volume 1: 1903 - 1964.

Is this not a good read? I ask because it is $3.99 for Kindle and seems to be a good read. The other suggestions are noted.

Dan

there is an incredible read on kindle i would bet...it's "not about the bike" by one mr lance armstrong...must be going for about 9 cents by now I would think...he tells this great story about the king of sweden...give it a go...
 
fmk_RoI said:
Do you have to be a Byrne/Talking Heads fan to get that one?

I don't think its essential as long as you know he's a musician. Its quite a philosophical book though and includes lots of anecdotes about the people and places he has riden and opinions on urban life in general. Certainly not just a cycling book.
 
Jun 11, 2011
473
0
0
The Belgian Hammer by Daniel Lee and forward by George Hincapie. published by Breakaway Books.
good book about Americans going to Belgium to race. (I'm mentioned on a couple pages in chapter 2...)
 
'Against the Wind'
Pedalling for a Pint from Japan to Ireland
by Yasuyuki Ozeki

is the story of a Japanese man who cycled from Japan to Ireland and the people and adventures he had on the way.

It's a good read
 
Feb 22, 2012
4
0
8,510
A few oldies from my collection: Cycling is my Life - Tommy Simpson (1966); Watching the Wheels Go Round - Barry Hoban (1981); The Tour de France - Peter Clifford (1965).

And some newer: Boy Racer - Mark Cavendish; Lance Armstrong tour de force - Daniel Coyle; Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oui, Oui, Oui - Rupert Guinness; The Beautiful Machine - Graeme Fife; French Revolutions - Tim Moore.

On my 'want' list are Laurent Fignon's autibiography and Cadel Evans The Long Road to Paris.
 
Oct 1, 2010
320
0
0
Hi fmk - I really love your reviews in the bookshelf on podium cafe. Looking forward to the next one!

A couple of oldies from the library in my hometown and two of the first cycling books I ever read:

The Big Bike Race, Geoffrey Nicholson. An account of the 1976 Tour de France won by Lucien Van Impe, but also some background stories on Maertens, the de Vlaeminck-de Muynck feud and Eddy Merckx.

Tour de France the 75th anniversary edition, Robin MacGowan. An account of the 1978 Tour, won by Bernard Hinault and featuring his battle with Michel Pollentier until the latter was expelled from the Tour for trying to cheat drug control.

Also:

In High Gear, Sam Abt. Mostly an account of the 1988 cycling year, but has a few flashbacks to earlier years. A collection of features or essays on various races and racers during that year and a longer account of the '88 Tour de France.

Kelly, by David Walsh. Sean Kelly's biography until end of the 1985 season.

The Penguin Book of the Bicycle. Published in the 1970s, sometime, probably long out of print. Contains all manner of cycling stories plus a chapter on racing which includes 5-6 pages on Merckx's defeat by Thevenet in the 1975 Tour.

And I know you had some issues with Dan Coyle's Tour de Force, but I loved it despite not being an LA fan. Funniest chapter IMO is "The book of Floyd".

Cheers
Angus