Pro cycling related holiday reads

dangerousdave.

Firstly I appreciate this is not directly related to pro-racing however I'm hoping the "clientel" who look at this forum are probably best placed to answer this question.

I'm off on hols in a fortnight or so and am looking for some a couple of decent pro biking reads (whether they be biographical or otherwise) to occupy me during the break. Have already read Cav's biography and read "My journey back to live" a number of years ago therefore these two are off the list.

Cheers
DD

ms_tree

Nico Roche's book is interesting. I've just got a biography of Shay Elliott out of the library to read next.

lc1981

I found Racing Through the Dark by David Millar excellent. There's a review here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jun/17/racing-dark-david-millar-review.

cycling5280

Major Taylor: The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World

No_Ta_Doctor

Rough Ride by Paul Kimmage, if you haven't already read it. Yes, it's about doping, but it's also about how absurdly hard life as a neo-pro and early career pro is.

RichN95.

There's quite a few mentioned in this thread from a few years ago:

viewtopic.php?f=40002&t=12642454&p=15530711

aspender

I'd also recommend Racing Through the Dark.

In the more lighthearted category (it is a holiday afterall):

How I won the Yellow Jumper - Ned Boulting
The Hour: Sporting Immortality the Hard Way - Michael Hutchinson

gingermagician

'Slaying the Badger' by Richard Moore - fantastic read.

Currently reading his book about Robert Millar, which is also really interesting.

MrTapir

Another vote for Ned Boulting's book (well my girlfriend's vote), she says its very good and funny.

I am reading 'Tour de France' by Graem Fife. Its a good book, some of the stories of the historic exploits of riders like Henri Pelissier and Eugene Cristophe are just ridiculous and sound almost made up.

ocdupalais

Sorry if they've been mentioned already...
'Flying Scotsman' - the Graeme Obree story, I love. He's probably one of my 3 cycling heroes, which helps...

'The Rider' - Tim Krabbé. A brilliant fictionalised account of bike racing.

mrushton

Think there is a list on inrng.com but the new Roche book is supposed to be good. 'Dog in a Hat' by Joe Park is about Belgian racing and is highly recommended

ratsbeyfus

+1 for Racing in the Dark and Slaying the Badger.

I'll be getting the Roche autobio for my summer reading and Alasdair Fotheringham's new one on Federico Bahamontes - haven't read any reviews, so I'd be interested in hearing of any one's first impressions.

bam49

I thought Pedalare ! Pedalare ! - by John Foot was very good ... and We Were Young & Carefree by Laurent Fignon was also v good..

takethehighroad

French Revolutions by Tim Moore. Good for afficionados and noobs alike

Neil McC

I've just pre-ordered this book on Gino Bartali

Road to Valour: Gino Bartali: Tour de France Legend and Italy's Secret World War Two Hero

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Road-Valour-Bar ... 419&sr=8-1

Apart from the American wording, I much prefer the cover of the American version
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Road-Valor-Cycl ... 492&sr=8-1

ShavenLegs

Best one about a current pro - Racing Through The Dark, David Millar
Richard Moore books are always good and In Search of Robert Millar is worth the read
French Revolutions by Tim Moore is good entertainment - the first chapter or two are a bit slow, but its very funny once you get into it.

dabber

I found "Fallen Angel: The Passion of Fausto Coppi" by William Fotheringham an excellent read if your interest go back to around WWII and the early 50's. A fascinating story not only of one of the all-time greats but an interesting insight into Italian attitudes of the time.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fallen-Angel-Passion-Fausto-Coppi/dp/0224074504/ref=sr_1_1?=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339173183&sr=1-1

esafosfina

Joe Parkin's "Dog in a Hat" is an excellent read (sorry, biased!) as is Hutchinson's account of his Hour bid... Problem is with overwhelming majority of biogs, you know where the book is going! I recently finished a translation of a book on Fausto Coppi (think it was: The True Story by JP someone?) Also Richard Moore's "Slaying the Badger" is a solid read.