Boy Racer: My Journey to Tour de France Record-Breaker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this book out of my love of cycling and not in particular a love of Mark Cavendish. I have always admired Cavendish as an outstanding athlete and thought he might have some interesting stories to tell. I love his blunt way of speaking and story telling. I have to say, I am now a Cavendish fan.
As an avid fan of the Tour De France you can't help but notice Mark and his unbelievable ability to sprint. At the end of any race you hear him give all credit to his team when he wins or see the broken heart. He is a true sportsman.
While the stories jump around a bit, it is a great inside look of how a sprinter survives the Tour de France and even has the opportunity to win a stage or more. I found it inspiring to hear his stories of people telling him he was fat, and that his numbers indicated he would never make it to the pro tour and how he told the sports scientists to basically "stick it".
I encourage any fan of the pro tour to pick up this book and enjoy a few days of new stories and insight into the sport.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Boy Racer: My Journey to Tour de France Record-Breaker

Boy Racer unmasks the manic, brutal world of professional cycling from the candid viewpoint of the sport's brash young superstar, Mark Cavendish.

Click here for more information about Boy Racer: My Journey to Tour de France Record-Breaker

Read More...

Going the Distance: The George Thomas Story Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I recently finished reading "The George Thomas Story: Going the Distance" by G. Thomas and J. Welsch. I feel, unequivocally, that this book merits a 5-star rating! The story entails the many moments of personal agony and anguish of a determined and courageous bicyclist by the name of George Thomas. The drama of this story, so eloquently and vividly expressed by the authors (Welsch and Thomas), took place during a 9 to 11 day, 2911 mile long bicycle race named the Race Across America (RAAM). This bicyle race, which started in Irvine CA and terminated in Savannah GA, is recognized by exercise physiologists as the most grueling athletic event in the world, far more strenuous then, e.g., the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon and requiring considerably more exertion then, e.g., the Tour de France. To add substantially to this incredible story is the recognition that George Thomas suffers from a relatively common but seriously debilitating disease known as epilepsy! The Forward of this book is written by renown Harvard Medical School neurologist and epilepsy expert Steven Schachter, M.D. who states...."At least once in a lifetime, you may be fortunate enough to meet someone truly inspirational, someone whose influence becomes a change in your life. I know this to be true, because I have met and been inspired by George Thomas." I would be remiss to share with you, in advance of your reading this book, the ultimate success/failures of George Thomas in this incredibly arduous solist bicycle race. I will say, however, that this is a book that I could not "set down", a book whose drama will remain in my memory forever. In essence, I enthusiastically and whole-heartedly recommend this superb and riveting book to you.
A Bicyclist in Michigan

Click Here to see more reviews about: Going the Distance: The George Thomas Story

Going the Distance is the compelling saga of George Thomas' quest to prove himself physically and emotionally after a car accident left him with life-threatening epileptic seizures. The story is told vividly through Thomas' eyes as he pedals 2,911 miles in the bicycle Race Across America. As he battles stifling temperatures, grueling climbs, relentless headwinds, heavy rains, tedium and hallucinations from sleep deprivation, Thomas is repeatedly reminded of the even greater obstacles he once had to overcome simply to ride a bicycle again. Ultimately, Thomas discovers his journey is more than an individual accomplishment; it's a platform to inspire others. Going the Distance examines his extraordinary evolution from an ordinary man with an ordinary name to an accomplished ultra-athlete. George Thomas' story is both intriguing and inspiring -- a shining example of courage in the face of enormous odds.

Click here for more information about Going the Distance: The George Thomas Story

Read More...

Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Obviously, from some of the reviews on here, some people don't understand that this book isn't written as an instruction manual for roadies. This is a book for people like me...friend of a roadie trying to understand the lifestyle. Before reading this book, I knew NOTHING about the cycling world. I found the book extremely informative and entertaining at the same time. There is a lot of good information in here and the wit and humor that the author and illustrator used kept me interested. After reading "Roadie" I HAD to see a race in person...perhaps to answer the question "Does this really happen?". Yep, it really happens. And now the world of bike racing has a new supporter. I'm hooked!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer

In the world of cycling, there are enthusiasts and then there are "roadies" -- the cyclist whose passion for bike racing cannot be tamed. A confirmed roadie will go to any length to better his record -- from shaving his legs to dropping a fortune on a bike -- and the reactions to a roadie's determination can vary from disbelief to outright scorn. Jamie Smith is a confirmed roadie, and in this unique book, he sets out to explain the often-misunderstood world of roadies, delving into the groups many neuroses and lightheartedly illuminating just what it is that keeps these extreme cyclists coming back for more. Accompanied by amusing illustrations from a nationally syndicated cartoonist, this look into a bike racing subculture is sure to convert even the most hardened skeptics.

Click here for more information about Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer

Read More...

Cyclopedia: It's All About the Bike Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I really enjoy this book. Its one of those books that you can pic up read a little and come back to it later, it doesnt have to be read in one sitting. I seen some people saying that it was hard to read because of the color of the font. I would have to say i dont agree with this. Anyway I say this book is a MUST for any cyclist at any level.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cyclopedia: It's All About the Bike

If it's on the bike, it's in the book.The world of cycling is one of death-defying feats and obscure mechanicaloddities, heroics and geekiness in equal measure. In Cyclopedia, renowned two-wheel aficionado and acclaimed sportswriter William Fotheringham delves deep into this world to unearth amazing facts and enthralling anecdotes.This essential book is an A to Z compendium of everything you could ever want to know about the bicycle, from the history of the Tour de France to Chris Hoy's dominance of the Beijing velodrome, from the origins of the quick-release system to the diet that powered Graeme Obree to the world hour record, from Lance Armstrong's fabled career to the slang words used for performance-enhancing substances, from the literature of cycling to the perils of vicious dogs.
Cyclopedia has all the equipment, the races, the chases, the faces, the places, the drugs, the sex, and the scandals to convert any amateur cyclist into a full-fledged bike expert.

Click here for more information about Cyclopedia: It's All About the Bike

Read More...