Cycling read for my holibob
alpineaddict
Posts: 247
OK folks... Heading off on holibob in 10 days time and want to take some light reading with me... Not really read too many cycling books (Cav's 2nd book (I think) and Ned Boulting's Yellow Jumper (which I thought was great))
Anyone care to recommend any good reads that don't go into people's lives since they were in nappies... really don't care to read pages on pages about how they did in first school etc. etc. I'v been told that Tyler Hamilton's 'Secret Race' is supposed to be decent???
Thx folks
Anyone care to recommend any good reads that don't go into people's lives since they were in nappies... really don't care to read pages on pages about how they did in first school etc. etc. I'v been told that Tyler Hamilton's 'Secret Race' is supposed to be decent???
Thx folks
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Comments
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The Rider
A Dog In A HatI'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0 -
OK folks... Heading off on holibob in 10 days time and want to take some light reading with me... Not really read too many cycling books (Cav's 2nd book (I think) and Ned Boulting's Yellow Jumper (which I thought was great))
Anyone care to recommend any good reads that don't go into people's lives since they were in nappies... really don't care to read pages on pages about how they did in first school etc. etc. I'v been told that Tyler Hamilton's 'Secret Race' is supposed to be decent???
Thx folks
You were told right, Tyler Hamilton's book is very good. Shocking but very good. Well worth a read.Vaaru Titanium Sram Red eTap
Moda Chord with drop bars and Rival shifters - winter/do it all bike
Orbea Rise0 -
I thought David Millar's book was good.
Or, if you like older stuff, Tomorrow We Ride about the Bobets was a pleasant read.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
Slaying the Badger0
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Domestique, the autobiography of Charly Wegelius is one of my favourite cycling reads. David Millars book is good too.0
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Tyler Hamiltons book is superb - a real eye opener.
If you want something a bit more light hearted, check out Tim Moore - French Revolutions and Gironimo had me laughing out loud in places - brilliant holiday reading!0 -
if youre looking for a "different" take on cycling I would highly recommend Tim Moore's book "Gironimo! Riding the very terrible 1914 Tour of Italy. It had me belly laughing0
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Charly Wegelius - Domestique
Michael Hutchinson - Faster
and then loads of books essentially about doping... but interesting nonetheless: Secret Race, Shadows on the road, A clean break... All good reads.0 -
A couple of other suggestions,
Hunger by Sean Kelly
We Were Young and Carefree by Laurent Fignon.0 -
The Climb by Chris Froome
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jun/27/climb-chris-froome-lanterne-rouge-max-leonard-reviews-cycling-tour-france
The Breakaway by Nicole Cooke
http://www.podiumcafe.com/book-corner/2014/9/2/6096243/the-breakaway-by-nicole-cooke
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/aug/01/nicole-cooke-book-the-breakaway-cycling
Domestique by Charly Wegelius
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/domestique-the-true-life-ups-and-downs-of-a-tour-pro-by-charly-wegelius-8692769.html
A Peipers Tail by Allan Peiper
http://www.podiumcafe.com/2010/8/4/1604833/a-peipers-tale-by-allan-peiper
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/10511832/Guy-Martin-why-I-like-to-go-dangerously-fast.html0 -
This may sound ridiculous, but I found it quite engrossing:
Re-read a couple of books. I felt drawn again to It's not about the Bike (L Armstrong) and Lance Armstrong's War (D Coyle).
I was never a Fanboy or a hater. I never for a moment thought he was clean, but didn't get the outpouring of hate.
However, both books are fun to read again in light of what is now known, rather than suspected or believed to be so.
The D Millar book was good, although I found I liked him less after reading it.0 -
A Dog in a Hat by Joe Parkin is a good read, it's funny, engrossing and leaves nothing to the imagination. If you enjoyed Ned Boulting's first book then you'll more than likely enjoy his second as well '101 Damnations', in the same vein as his first book but even better in my opinion.
Like others have said, David Millar's book is excellent if you fancy a more serious tome. I also enjoyed 'Slaying the Badger' and Fignon's autobiography too.
Have a great holiday.0 -
I really enjoyed Phil Gaimon's Pro Cycling on $10 a Day.
He's got a humorous way of writing and it's a nice take on the cycling book. You've all heard the top guys route to fame, it's nice to see the other side of a not so big rider.0 -
Agree with the above.
Tyler Hamilton, David Millar and Phil Gaimon were stand outs. Nicole Cookes was good but a tad repetitive towards the end. Tim Moore is funny. Just bought Charley Wegelius for my jolly.
However I'm going to tuscany and taking my bike. Hopefully there shall be little time for reading.0 -
Both out of print to the best of my knowledge, but Phil Liggett's 'Fastest Man on 2 wheels: In pursuit of Chris Boardman' and Greg LeMond's 'Complete Book of Bicycling' are both favourites of mine. I enjoyed Wiggins' 'My Time', too, in fact I've just recently started on it again.0
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Without a doubt "The breakaway" by Nichole Cooke. Her Palmares whips every other UK cyclist's.
Makes you look at Dave Brailsford in a different light amoungst others.
I've read it twice & bought copies for biking mate's birthdays. Awesome story. I ride faster now I'm sure!0 -
Haven't read the Cooke book but have read pretty much all the others mentioned and I'd recommend :
- The Rider - short and sweet - classic novel about a bike race, take another book though as it's short and you may hate it.
- We Were Young and Carefree - Fignon autobiography - imo the best of recent years though it helps that I'm interested in that era.
- The Hour - Michael Hutchinson - well written in a funny self deprecating style I defy anyone not to warm to him when you read his books.[Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]0 -
I can recommend Mark Beaumont's books, The Man Who Cycled the World and The Man Who Cycled the Americas
Both great readshttp://www.mallorcacyclinghotels.co.uk
Cycling friendly accommodation in Mallorca0 -
Thx folks... Very helpful... Opted for '101 Damnations' and 'Domestique'... However, I have now compiled myself a decent looking 'wish list' on amazon with all these suggestions, so thx folks...
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In addition to many of the above I quite enjoyed Etape, which tells the story of 20 different stages from the Tour. Some famous, some slightly less so. Was enjoyable, quite an easy read because it's essentially 20 short stories.0
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Yes, a really good read. Also +1 for anything by Ned Boulting....he and Chris Boardman seem to have quite a rapport now, and it comes across in the books.In addition to many of the above I quite enjoyed Etape, which tells the story of 20 different stages from the Tour. Some famous, some slightly less so. Was enjoyable, quite an easy read because it's essentially 20 short stories.
Also, Obsessive Compulsive Cycling Disorder by Dave Barter. Really enjoyed it, some real laugh out loud moments in that one. Recommended.Titus Silk Road Ti rigid 29er - Scott Solace 10 disc - Kinesis Crosslight Pro6 disc - Scott CR1 SL - Pinnacle Arkose X 650b - Pinnacle Arkose singlespeed - Specialized Singlecross...& an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string...0 -
Probably hard to get, but I seem to remeber I quite enjoyed Sprinter, Malc Elliotts biography. Maybe because of the local connection for me.
Apart from that, Fignons bio, Dog in a Hat, The Rider and Tomorrow We Ride.
Edit - Actually, not hard to get, Sprinter is on Amazon for pence...0 -
If you want a really really long read then Pedalare Pedalare is one for the list.I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0
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Land of Second Chances by Tim Lewis
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Second-Chances-Impossible-Rwandas/dp/022409176X
Brilliant humbling read.Cube - Peloton
Cannondale - CAAD100 -
Thx folks... Very helpful... Opted for '101 Damnations' and 'Domestique'... However, I have now compiled myself a decent looking 'wish list' on amazon with all these suggestions, so thx folks...
Domestique is a great choice.
Chris Froome's book is good and bad... an interesting read for sure, as I spent a lot of time in South Africa and loved reading about cycling there... but it had cringeworthy multi-page interludes that read like they were written by a freshman creative writing student in college. Otherwise it was well written.
I loved Slaying the Badger, one of the better nonfiction books I've read, cycling-related or not.0 -
Well, 'Domestique' was only 'shipped' yesterday/today, so not even sure now if it will arrive in time...
101 Damnations turned up, so at least I'll have something...
With ref to Chris Froome's book, I don't really hold much love for Chris Froome (and not for any reasons in the press currently), so thx but I don't think that book is for me...
Thx again 'everyone'...0 -
Thx folks... Very helpful... Opted for '101 Damnations' and 'Domestique'... However, I have now compiled myself a decent looking 'wish list' on amazon with all these suggestions, so thx folks...
Tis a problem with Amazon wish lists...mine only gets longer, never shorter 0 -
In addition to many of the above I quite enjoyed Etape, which tells the story of 20 different stages from the Tour. Some famous, some slightly less so. Was enjoyable, quite an easy read because it's essentially 20 short stories.
I agree, found that a really good book.
Not sure if anyone has said it above, but the Secret Race (Tyler Hamilton) is an incredible book, I read this and 7 Deadly Sins by the Sunday Times guy. Both are good, but Hamilton's is the best cycling book I've read (& I've read a lot)0 -
Be interesting what you think of Domestique. I found it informative but he does paint a rather grim picture of life as a professional cyclist - in fact I wondered why he didn't just pack it in.[Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]0
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In addition to many of the above I quite enjoyed Etape, which tells the story of 20 different stages from the Tour. Some famous, some slightly less so. Was enjoyable, quite an easy read because it's essentially 20 short stories.
I agree, found that a really good book.
Not sure if anyone has said it above, but the Secret Race (Tyler Hamilton) is an incredible book, I read this and 7 Deadly Sins by the Sunday Times guy. Both are good, but Hamilton's is the best cycling book I've read (& I've read a lot)
Yep... It's on my Wish List and was recommended to me ages ago... It def will get read at some point taBe interesting what you think of Domestique. I found it informative but he does paint a rather grim picture of life as a professional cyclist - in fact I wondered why he didn't just pack it in.
If it turns up in time I'll let you know buddy... 0
