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Favorite Cycling Books

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Biciclette Bianchi

Mar 16, 2009
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I'm just finishing two wonderful books on cycling: Samuel Abt's "Off to the Races: 25 Years of Cycling Journalism" and Paul Fournel's "Need for the Bike." These books both really get what it means to be a cyclist (the former in and around the pro peloton and the latter as someone of no real talent who simply loves the bike). I'm fortunate to have discovered two such great books, but am saddened that they're coming to an end. Since I need to start shopping for my next cycling read, I would be eager to hear what are other's favorites (I'm thinking of grabbing Jean Bobet's "Tomorrow, We Ride"). So, what are the great (English language) cycling books?


Dave
 
*G*K*S*

*G*K*S*

Mar 10, 2009
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Biciclette Bianchi

Mar 16, 2009
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*G*K*S* said:
I just finished "A Dog in a Hat: An American Bike Racer's Story of Mud, Drugs, Blood, Betrayal, and Beauty in Belgium"
Click to expand...

I've heard great things about this book. However, with all that's gone on in professional cycling the past several years, I don't think that I have the stomach to read this one... (sticking my head in the sand and thinking dreamily of my bike)



Dave
 
*G*K*S*

*G*K*S*

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Biciclette Bianchi said:
I've heard great things about this book. However, with all that's gone on in professional cycling the past several years, I don't think that I have the stomach to read this one... (sticking my head in the sand and thinking dreamily of my bike)



Dave
Click to expand...

Just skip over the Drug parts and enjoy the Mud, Blood, Betrayal, and Beauty of Belgium chapters of the book. It's worth it.
 
Stani Kléber

Stani Kléber

Mar 11, 2009
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Oh, no. If you want insightful, forensic accounts of racing within the broader context of a complex society, then opt for Rendell.

If you want a simplified but pertinant romantic tale of The Race, Krabbé is your man.
 
Jamsque

Jamsque

Mar 11, 2009
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I got given Matt Rendell's "The Death of Marco Pantani" for Christmas last year but I must say I didn't think much of it. I don't think I even finished it.

Probably my favourite cycling book is "Put Me Back on my Bike: In Search of Tom Simpson" by William Fotheringham. It's a very honest look at Simpson's life and the state of drug use in pro cycling in the late 60s and early 70s.
 
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schadenfreude

Mar 11, 2009
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Stani Kléber said:
Oh, no. If you want insightful, forensic accounts of racing within the broader context of a complex society, then opt for Rendell.

If you want a simplified but pertinant romantic tale of The Race, Krabbé is your man.
Click to expand...

the pantani book was like pantani's career: it started well, set high expectations, but ended up being one disappointment after the other.
 
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Pookie

Mar 11, 2009
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This isn't a racing book, but Neil Peart, the drummer from Rush, wrote a really interesting book about a bike tour through Africa. I think it was called The Masked Rider, but I could be wrong.
 
Argon Man

Argon Man

Mar 11, 2009
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Graeme Fife's Inside the Peleton, and his new tour de france one are both great reads, and Russell Mockridge the man in front by Martin Curtis is good. Its about an Australian cyclist dual olympic gold medalist and had just broken into the european peleton and had ridden the tour but was killed when hit by a bus due to a missing marshall during competiton in 1958.
 
Bluebeard

Bluebeard

Mar 10, 2009
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lauaxeta said:
Paul Kimmage....Rough Ride
.....
Matt Rendell......The Death Of Marco Pantani
Click to expand...

Was just going to mention Rough Ride - excellent book and the first real and honest insight to the mind of a domestique, and written in English too. Whatever your thoughts of Kimmage, it is an important document of our sport in the late 1980s.

The Rendell book is a good, if rather painstakingly forensic book - the detail on his career and life is fascinating, without descending into the hagiographic; the drug stuff is heavy going though. Very eductaional in some ways. Apparently, he is poorly perceived by many for abusing the trust of Pantani's folks. Anyone know more or care to comment?
 
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Advancedone

Mar 13, 2009
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Argon Man said:
Graeme Fife's Inside the Peleton, and his new tour de france one are both great reads.
Click to expand...

+1 to Graham Fife "Tour de France"

Fascinating account of tour history. Makes you realise that the modern riders are soft.:D
 
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