Best books on cycling?

KnightOfTheLongTights

Just finished Slaying the Badger: the best book on cycling I've read.

Great story - it's not just about the '86 tour, it's about early-mid 80s cycling and the whole careers of Hinault and LeMond, loads of fresh interviews with all the big characters and first-hand material, briliantly written.

Got to be one of the most fascinating eras of road racing for me, with characters like Fignon, Herrera, Roche too - with the emergence of 'scientific training methods', the emergence of American riders (north and south), and yet before radios, before helmets, before the over-specialisation of sprinters ...

And the Badger, what can you say. Has there ever been a more compelling figure in the sport?

johny c

my wee selection

I read 'Slaying the Badger' last week, found myself enjoying the race all over again. The '86 tour that is, when I first watched it on tv and my armchair racing career began (my actual racing career was much shorter) I'm presently reading David Millar's book which I also bought on the strength of the reviews in the excellent blog of Brian Palmer:
http://www.thewashingmachinepost.net/

here's a few more that you might like, books I read years ago that you can still buy:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bicycle-Mechanics-Competition-Steve-Snowling/dp/0880112948

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Racing-Techniques-Training-Bernard-Hinault/dp/0941950131/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314791417&sr=8-1

these are not racing but definitely worth the read:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Into-Remote-Places-Ian-Hibell/dp/0860512452/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314791549&sr=1-1


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Greece-My-Wheels-Summersdale-travel/dp/1840242809/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314791740&sr=1-2

ps. hyperlinking is not working for me :?:

luckao

Has anybody here read Viva La Vuelta!: The Story of Spain's Great Bike Race? Harmon promotes it during every Vuelta. I'm not sure I can muster £15 to satisfy my own curiosity. Somebody else can do it for me.

rick_chasey

Spain's bloody complicated.

Was always a black spot for me in any European history I did.

I even did a module at Uni on Franco etc and I still don't understand a bloody thing.

I'd imagine the Viva La Vuelta treads the same path most of Spanish history-cum-sport books go. A lot of Franco interfering with the sport for national (fascist) prestige, and various provinces with various political agendas (so presumably in this case a lot of Basques) throwing their weight around in slighty bizarre ways.

Then again, I haven't read it. I wouldn't get it anyway. I never do.

RichN95.

Rick Chasey wrote:

Was always a black spot for me in any European history I did.

If I remember correctly, in the 16th century, Sir Francis Drake set the King of Spain's beard on fire in Cadiz, so he sent over an Armadillo who Drake beat at bowls in Plymouth to save England.

KnightOfTheLongTights

Rick Chasey wrote:

Spain's bloody complicated.

Was always a black spot for me in any European history I did.

I even did a module at Uni on Franco etc and I still don't understand a bloody thing.

I'd imagine the Viva La Vuelta treads the same path most of Spanish history-cum-sport books go. A lot of Franco interfering with the sport for national (fascist) prestige, and various provinces with various political agendas (so presumably in this case a lot of Basques) throwing their weight around in slighty bizarre ways.

Then again, I haven't read it. I wouldn't get it anyway. I never do.

Give this a whirl:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ghosts-Spain-Tr ... 0571221688
fantastic book - part travelogue, part history, part contemporary social / political observation - from someone who knows his stuff (the author, not me ...)

JustinLeeAtkinson

I have read a few cycling books so far (only been into cycling for just over a year) and I want to read most of the other books mentioned so far on this thread.

I'm currently reading Put me Back on My Bike - good so far. Fotheringham is a good writer.

Of the books I want to read top of the list are the new David Millar Book, and Le Metier by Michael Barry. He seems a good writer from the things of his I have read so far.

rick_chasey

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Spain's bloody complicated.

Was always a black spot for me in any European history I did.

I even did a module at Uni on Franco etc and I still don't understand a bloody thing.

I'd imagine the Viva La Vuelta treads the same path most of Spanish history-cum-sport books go. A lot of Franco interfering with the sport for national (fascist) prestige, and various provinces with various political agendas (so presumably in this case a lot of Basques) throwing their weight around in slighty bizarre ways.

Then again, I haven't read it. I wouldn't get it anyway. I never do.

Give this a whirl:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ghosts-Spain-Tr ... 0571221688
fantastic book - part travelogue, part history, part contemporary social / political observation - from someone who knows his stuff (the author, not me ...)

Ah, I had to read enough stuff from people who know a lot about Spain to know it's just a black spot in my ability to comprehend.

S'probably the same reason I find it tougher to buy into the Tour of Spain.

Ron Stuart

http://www.cycling-books.com/In_Pursuit ... Hewson.htm

Great book from a great guy, Tony and I are currently doing a few rides to get ready for this years Johnny Helms Memorial 2up TT Grand prix des gentlemen to be held on the 9th October.
Tony, now 78 and I (pacer) can still average something like 20mph around the 24 mile course.

For anyone who is interested in the Golden Age of cycling (fifties) then this a great read.

Campervan27

DUncan Bannatyne's, ' anyone can do it!' passes the time of day.

Le Commentateur

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

Just finished Slaying the Badger: the best book on cycling I've read.

Great story - it's not just about the '86 tour, it's about early-mid 80s cycling and the whole careers of Hinault and LeMond, loads of fresh interviews with all the big characters and first-hand material, briliantly written.

Got to be one of the most fascinating eras of road racing for me, with characters like Fignon, Herrera, Roche too - with the emergence of 'scientific training methods', the emergence of American riders (north and south), and yet before radios, before helmets, before the over-specialisation of sprinters ...

And the Badger, what can you say. Has there ever been a more compelling figure in the sport?

Can't wait to read it, from what I've read elsewhere Hinault seems like a complete egomaniac, yet had the ability to back this up with results one way or the other.

fast as fupp

Richards Bicycle Book. Anyone?

Ron Stuart

Le Commentateur wrote:

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

Just finished Slaying the Badger: the best book on cycling I've read.

Great story - it's not just about the '86 tour, it's about early-mid 80s cycling and the whole careers of Hinault and LeMond, loads of fresh interviews with all the big characters and first-hand material, briliantly written.

Got to be one of the most fascinating eras of road racing for me, with characters like Fignon, Herrera, Roche too - with the emergence of 'scientific training methods', the emergence of American riders (north and south), and yet before radios, before helmets, before the over-specialisation of sprinters ...

And the Badger, what can you say. Has there ever been a more compelling figure in the sport?

Can't wait to read it, from what I've read elsewhere Hinault seems like a complete egomaniac, yet had the ability to back this up with results one way or the other.

Good God I thought you were talking about a certain North American rider there. :roll:

KnightOfTheLongTights

Le Commentateur wrote:

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

And the Badger, what can you say. Has there ever been a more compelling figure in the sport?

Can't wait to read it, from what I've read elsewhere Hinault seems like a complete egomaniac, yet had the ability to back this up with results one way or the other.

No, no I don't think that's quite right - maybe that was an element to his personality yes.

But he was more just a hard man, in a way more like the cyclists of the 50s, 60s than the 70s, 80s, coming as he did out of a hard-working Breton farming famliy.

Uncompromising, incredibly driven, ruthlessly aggressive. Not interested in niceties or making friends - just being a great rider. But funnier, more charming and interesting than other greats like Merckx, Indurain and Armstrong, it apears to me.

Was intensely loyal to and supportive of his team-mates - which is why the '86 Tour and the way he appeared to treat LeMond is so interesting.

The book gives a real insight into team tactics and how one man's version of events can be so different to another's. Did BH try to win it himself, only to mess it up? – or were his attacks in the Pyrenees, as he now claims, aimed at getting rid of as many riders as possible who could be a threat to La Vie Claire and LeMond’s chances of victory.

I think he was prepared to support LeMond but not to the extent that he couldn’t ride as he wanted on at least some stages of the Tour – I think he intended to have a much fun as possible while still letting LeMond have it in the end. Which all made for a pretty miserable time for poor old Greg.

But that’s what hard French farmers are like – they don’t give a sh * t about other people’s ‘feelings’! It’s other people’s fault for being too sensitive. I tend to agree.

It's interesting to note that the vast majority of riders in his teams and even other riders at the time respected and feared and, mostly liked or ‘loved’ him – even to the point of worship.

Very much a pre-media age rider too - he didn't give a monkey's what journalists thought of him, although he was happy to project the hard-man persona (which he had no problems backing up in action).

rubertoe

Just this weekend bought Wide eyed and Legless - story of the ANC - Halfords team at the '87 tour - so far so good.

Alos picked up a copy of When we were young and Carefree - Laurent Fignon biography - not read a page of it yet - but heard good things


Should have picked up Slaying the Badger as well but couldnt justify spending £30 on books -

Maybe we should start a forum library - I do it with some guys on a poker forum that i use - someone buys a book reads it and offers it up to someone else and they post it - and once read - it goes around.... Just a though and it is based on trust.

Tusher

rubertoe, if you go along to your local library, you can order it there.
(And if it's Ms Tree's library, you'll be able to find a wide selection of cycling books to read for free.)

KnightOfTheLongTights

rubertoe wrote:

Just this weekend bought Wide eyed and Legless - story of the ANC - Halfords team at the '87 tour - so far so good.

same here

proto

Nobody has metioned In High Gear by Samuel Abt. I read it some tears back and remember it as being very good indeed. I'll have to dig it out and give it another go.

+1 for One more Kilometre and We're in the Showers Excellent read.

I've got a copy of Wide Eyed an Legless at home somewhere, I'll dig that out too. Amnazing to think that Malcolm Elliott has only recently hung up his wheels (hasn't he?)

durhamwasp

Anyone started reading Nick Roches book?

Tusher

Didn't know it was out yet.

Le Commentateur

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

Le Commentateur wrote:

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

And the Badger, what can you say. Has there ever been a more compelling figure in the sport?

Can't wait to read it, from what I've read elsewhere Hinault seems like a complete egomaniac, yet had the ability to back this up with results one way or the other.

No, no I don't think that's quite right - maybe that was an element to his personality yes.

But he was more just a hard man, in a way more like the cyclists of the 50s, 60s than the 70s, 80s, coming as he did out of a hard-working Breton farming famliy.

Uncompromising, incredibly driven, ruthlessly aggressive. Not interested in niceties or making friends - just being a great rider. But funnier, more charming and interesting than other greats like Merckx, Indurain and Armstrong, it apears to me.

Was intensely loyal to and supportive of his team-mates - which is why the '86 Tour and the way he appeared to treat LeMond is so interesting.

The book gives a real insight into team tactics and how one man's version of events can be so different to another's. Did BH try to win it himself, only to mess it up? – or were his attacks in the Pyrenees, as he now claims, aimed at getting rid of as many riders as possible who could be a threat to La Vie Claire and LeMond’s chances of victory.

I think he was prepared to support LeMond but not to the extent that he couldn’t ride as he wanted on at least some stages of the Tour – I think he intended to have a much fun as possible while still letting LeMond have it in the end. Which all made for a pretty miserable time for poor old Greg.

But that’s what hard French farmers are like – they don’t give a sh * t about other people’s ‘feelings’! It’s other people’s fault for being too sensitive. I tend to agree.

It's interesting to note that the vast majority of riders in his teams and even other riders at the time respected and feared and, mostly liked or ‘loved’ him – even to the point of worship.

Very much a pre-media age rider too - he didn't give a monkey's what journalists thought of him, although he was happy to project the hard-man persona (which he had no problems backing up in action).

The '86 Tour was an exceptional situation. Hinault was faced with the prospect of either honoring his pledge, made at the of his 1985 win, to support Lemond in 1986, or just possibly becoming the first six-time winner of the Tour himself, thus surpassing Merckx and all the other greats of cycling.

Faced with such a dilemma who couldn't be tempted to indulge in moments of selfishness, such as his testing of Lemond's resolve between the Telegraphe and the Croix de Fer?

cajun_cyclist

I know there are some Laurent Fignon fans here, I was watching 'American Flyers' the other day, in it early in the movie there is a poster of Fignon and the poster reads "The Legend Continues", the poster is on the fridge of one of the 2 brothers' apartment, I think the brother who is played by Kevin Costnert. So, some might find that of interest.

Litespeed79

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympic-Gangste ... amp;sr=1-1

Olympic Gangster Jose Beyaert. It can't all be true but a good read.

Graeme Obree's book the Flying Scotsman also makes a better book than film. Really is an inspiration.

Litespeed79

& Tom Simpson put me back on my bike

Sun Dodger

Another +1 for One more Kilometre and We're in the Showers.

Even though it did put me off Stout for life...

wheelwobble

+1 Tour de Force was very good (maybe been reprinted as 'Lance Armstrong's War' though?). A good insight into Armstrong's build up to the 2004 Tour & the Tour itself (think it has been updated to include the 2009 Tour). The chapter on the Alpe d'Huez Time Trial itself is fantastic.

In Search of Robert Millar was a cracker too. A great piece of investigative journalism by Richard Moore.

Recently read and enjoyed Ned Boultings 'Yellow Jumper' book - laugh out loud funny!

Monty Zoncolan

Yes, I'm almost finished Ned's book after taking it away on holiday. By its nature the focus is the process of following and covering the Tour, rather than providing any great insight into cycling itself, but I don't mind saying I laughed aloud regularly as I made my way through it.

KnightOfTheLongTights

Sun Dodger wrote:

Another +1 for One more Kilometre and We're in the Showers.

Even though it did put me off Stout for life...

just read this while cycling through France

yes excellent stuff, he certainly knows his cycling!

I'm glad he didn't dwell too much on the communism angle, that would've been deeply tedious.

Litespeed79

+1 for In Search of Robert Millar

ms_tree

Tusher wrote:

Didn't know it was out yet.

It's on special offer on Amazon.