Cycle racing Books
Simon & Schuster Ltd Ventoux
Book Synopsis‘They’re all scared. Everybody’s afraid’ – Eddy Merckx ‘Nothing compares to the Ventoux’ – Lance Armstrong 'Heart-stirring and jaw-dropping in equal measure' – Tim Moore The French call Ventoux ‘the killer mountain’ and in 1967 it claimed its most famous victim, as former world champion Tom Simpson died near the summit during that year’s Tour de France. The terrible ascent of Ventoux’s south side encapsulates both the brutality and beauty of this cruel sport, but also highlights cycling’s ongoing battle to distance itself from its demons. Yet it was the legendary and extreme climb of Mont Ventoux that first inspired award-winning author Jeremy Whittle’s love of cycling, so much so that he bought a house in its shadows. Ventoux is his memoir to the Giant of Provence in which he reveals the little-known history of the VentTrade Review'Heart-stirring and jaw-dropping in equal measure' -- Tim Moore'Highly recommend Jeremy Whittle's Ventoux - a fascinating and expert insight into the mountain and into the current state of pro racing' -- Peter Cossins'My favourite sports book of this year. Really textured, well-written, atmospheric and intelligent.' -- Ed Pickering'A really excellent book' -- Richard Williams'A terrific book' -- Matt Dickinson'An intense hit. A must-read' -- Ned Boulting
£10.44
Vintage Publishing The Secret Cyclist: Real Life as a Rider in the
Book SynopsisHe's ridden for World Tour teams for ten years. He's achieved top ten finishes in Grand Tours. But who is The Secret Cyclist and why all the secrecy?"Every public aspect of our lives is so tightly controlled that being truly honest is all but impossible in a newspaper interview, never mind a whole book. You try write a warts-and-all blog about your office. Question how the business is run, make sure you remember to call your boss a moron, and then tell me how it goes."What do the riders really make of Team Sky? How does the pay structure work? Why should you never trust a kit endorsement from a professional? Is doping still an issue? The Secret Cyclist tackles the big questions head-on, revealing a side to cycling that fans have never seen before.
£13.49
Excellent Books Veloscenic: Paris-Versailles-Mont Saint Michel by
Book SynopsisVeloscenic is one of France's most popular long-distance cycle routes. It links Paris via Versailles, Chartres and Alencon, to the incredible Mont St-Michel. It also takes in some of northern France's finest scenery, passing through the Chevreuse Valley, the Perche, Normandy Maine and the Bocage Normand. Following numerous traffic-free trails and many miles of quiet, rural roads it let's you enjoy four UNESCO World Heritage sites and three regional nature parks. This guide includes all you need to enjoy the route to the full; maps, directions, alternative route options, what to see, accommodation and much more.
£12.30
Amazon Publishing Sprinting Through No Man's Land: Endurance,
Book SynopsisThe inspiring, heart-pumping true story of soldiers turned cyclists and the historic 1919 Tour de France that helped to restore a war-torn country and its people. On June 29, 1919, one day after the Treaty of Versailles brought about the end of World War I, nearly seventy cyclists embarked on the thirteenth Tour de France. From Paris, the war-weary men rode down the western coast on a race that would trace the country's border, through seaside towns and mountains to the ghostly western front. Traversing a cratered postwar landscape, the cyclists faced near-impossible odds and the psychological scars of war. Most of the athletes had arrived straight from the front, where so many fellow countrymen had suffered or died. The cyclists' perseverance and tolerance for pain would be tested in a grueling, monthlong competition. An inspiring true story of human endurance, Sprinting Through No Man's Land explores how the cyclists united a country that had been torn apart by unprecedented desolation and tragedy. It shows how devastated countrymen and women can come together to celebrate the adventure of a lifetime and discover renewed fortitude, purpose, and national identity in the streets of their towns.'This is an evocatively written homage to the 1919 Tour… This inspirational sports story demonstrates the power of a race to unite a country suffering from the wounds of war and is immersed in wartime historical detail. Cycling fans will get more than an account of the race in this volume, which will also appeal to readers interested in WWI.' — Booklist
£11.81
Quarto Publishing PLC Mindful Thoughts for Cyclists: Finding Balance on
Book Synopsis"Nick Moore reminds us all that however frequently we may cycle, two wheels is always a rather magical way to travel." - The Simple Things Cycling is about more than competitive racing, lycra, and physical endurance; it’s about joy, meditative wonder and spiritual enrichment.Mindful Thoughts for Cyclists presents a series of focused meditations on why and how cycling can be a powerful practice of mindful awareness. From the pleasure of riding down a hill, to finding the upsides of a flat, Nick Moore steers us on an enlightening journey through the true value of riding a bicycle.Trade Review"Nick Moore reminds us all that however frequently we may cycle, two wheels is always a rather magical way to travel." * The Simple Things *
£7.59
Penguin Putnam Inc Draft Animals
Book SynopsisThe story of one man's quest to realise his childhood dream, and what happened when he actually did it.
£14.39
Pan Macmillan Jan Ullrich: The Best There Never Was
Book SynopsisJan Ullrich: The Best There Never Was is the first biography of Jan Ullrich, arguably the most naturally talented cyclist of his generation, and also one of the most controversial champions of the Tour de France.In 1997, Jan Ullrich announced himself to the world by obliterating his rivals in the first mountain stage of the Tour de France. So awesome was his display that it sent shockwaves throughout the world of cycling and invited headlines such as L’Équipe’s ‘The New Giant’. He went on to become Germany’s first ever Tour winner, storming to victory in that edition by almost ten minutes, a result that was greeted as an era-defining changing of the guard. Everyone agreed: Jan Ullrich was the future of cycling. He was soon also voted Germany’s most popular sportsperson of all time, and his rivalry with Lance Armstrong defined the most controversial years of the Tour de France.Now, Daniel Friebe – who has covered twenty-one editions of the Tour de France – has gone in search of the man who was said in 1997 would go on to dominate his sport for a generation, but never quite managed it.Just what did happen to the best who never was?This is a gripping account of how unbearable expectation, mental and physical fragility, the effects of a complicated childhood, a morally corrupt sport and one individual – Lance Armstrong – can conspire to reroute destiny.Daniel Friebe takes us from the legacy of East Germany’s drugs programme to the pinnacle of pro cycling and asks: what price can you give sporting immortality?Trade ReviewMagnificent -- Matt Dickinson, The TimesA superlative biography as well as social and sporting history * Observer *One of the best books about cycling * The Irish Times *One of the best cycling books there ever was. So well written and such deep research -- Edward Pickering, editor of Rouleur and author of The Ronde: inside the World's Toughest Bike Race'Masterpiece' is arguably an over-used word, but if ever a book was deserving of such a description, this is probably it - The Washing Machine PostA well-researched biography . . . painting a consistent picture of this all-too-human character from Rostock * Cycling Plus *Richly researched and sympathetically written . . . extensive, thoughtful * TLS *This biography peels back the layers of not just a legendary cyclist, but an interesting character -- Joe Laverick * Cycling Weekly *A fascinating illustration of a richly gifted but deeply flawed character * MSN Ireland *Terrific . . . comprehensive -- Best of 2022, Cycling Plus
£15.29
Rocky Mountain Books Out Here: Wisdom from the Wilderness
Book SynopsisCarolyn Highland's outdoor writing will drive readers and outdoor enthusiasts to get outside and experience all that the natural world has to offer.Out Here is a collection of essays that explores what the wilderness has to teach us about the human experience, using outdoor endeavours as extended metaphors for greater truths. Each carefully chosen piece embarks on a different physical and metaphorical journey: managing expectations and reality during a medical emergency in a 40-mile ski mountaineering race; staring down fear and consequences on exposed ski lines in Alaska; re-examining self-reliance and decision-making through heartbreak and snow science; and leaving room for unexpected magic as a female travelling through Patagonia.Highland's first book inspires a deeper connection to the wilderness, a deeper connection to ourselves, and will leave readers wanting more from this fresh new voice in mountain writing.
£16.79
Vision Sports Publishing Ltd Riis: Stages of Light and Dark
Book SynopsisThe legendary disgraced cyclist Bjarne Riis bares his notoriously private soul.
£11.69
Eye Books Moods of Future Joys - Around the world by bike
Book SynopsisThis enthralling account details Alastair Humphrey's epic journey across Africa, through Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. His experience is at times brutal, and though he faces loneliness, despair, and harsh conditions, he also survives through trust in the kindness of strangers. Moods of Future Joys is a story of the triumphs over adversities, of one man who set off from his home in Yorkshire to cycle the world, fundraise for charity and... to live a little.
£9.45
Mousehold Press Indurain: A Tempered Passion
Book SynopsisMiguel Indurain will pass into history not just as the first cyclist to win five straight Tours de France, but also as the standard-bearer for a whole nation. While Spain lived through the dream of his repeated victories the country came to a standstill, for Indur?!in stole people's hearts not just by the number, but by the manner of his victories. Seeing him on the road or away from the action, the gallant loser or the strong, calm victor, the Spanish gained hope, and then faith. And so did many others, for it was the dignity and modesty that Miguel Indur?!in invariably displayed, in victory and defeat, that endeared him to us all. A farmer's son from a small village in Navarra, he never strayed far from his roots, nor did he allow his extraordinary success to go to his head. Javier Garcia Sanchez is a prize-winning novelist with a passion for cycle racing. In this biography of Miguel Indur?!in he takes us on an emotional journey through Indurain's prodigious career. He recounts his exploits and great battles in the saddle, the glory moments and the disappointments, and describes his passions, his ideas, and his land.Trade Review'Not often has a book as insightful as this been written about a leading cyclist - the first biography that fully explains the tempered passion that made Indurain such a great competitor.' John Wilcockson, Velonews
£13.46
Van Der Plas Publications,U.S. Bicycle Technology Understanding the Modern
Book Synopsis
£21.25
Rapha Racing Ltd Pantani: Pull Out Prints
Book SynopsisRiders like Marco Pantani are made to be on the wall, and his remarkable riding feats are only part of it. The shaved head, the earring, that bandanna – Pantani could be the most iconic rider ever to have raced a bike. This poster book displays one of Italy’s most beloved sporting sons in technicolour glory, across sixteen 250gsm prints all ready to be displayed in pride of place. A graphic overlay on each image is reminiscent of hours spent feverishly viewing cycling on the television.
£20.00
Ebury Publishing Shut up Legs!: My Wild Ride On and Off the Bike
Book SynopsisPush until it hurts, then push some moreEven by the standards of a sport that requires enormous stamina and capacity for suffering, Jens Voigt is in a class on his own. Beloved by cycling fans for his madcap one-man breakaways as much as his sense of humour and quotable catchphrases, Jens is one of the most popular personalities in cycling.Jens was born near Hamburg, and came up through the East German system before the Wall came down. He got into the national team through the German army, before signing for his first big team. In many ways he is cycling’s anti-star; despite arguably spending more time at the front of the Tour de France than any other rider he has only worn the yellow jersey twice as his efforts have always been in the service of others.Jens embodies the best of cycling’s qualities – loyalty to his team, sacrifice, and devotion to the sport. He says, ‘I’m not a head person, I’m more of a heart and guts guy. That’s how I race.’ Shut Up Legs is a funny, insightful and entertaining look at the tough realities of professional cycling, told in Jens’s trademark irreverent and inimitable style.Trade ReviewVoigt defied age, logic, and, regularly, common sense, to craft magical, against-all-odds stage wins * Velonews *Cycling's beloved superfreak * Wall Street Journal *Suffering and Voigt are inseparable … but the man is much more than a catchphrase * Cyclist.co.uk *One of the most recognisable and loved riders in the peloton thanks to his fearsome attacks, irrepressible good humour and memorable sound bites * Cycling news *Classic ‘Jensism’ “Shut up legs!” titles a book that appraises the nuts, bolts, and uncharacteristic German sense of humour behind of one of cycling’s most complex and charismatic characters. * GQ *
£13.49
Cicerone Press The Danube Cycleway Volume 1
Book SynopsisThis guidebook (Volume 1 of a two-volume set) describes the Danube Cycleway from the Black Forest to Budapest. Passing through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, it covers 1261km and takes 2â??3 weeks to complete. Described across 29 stages, the route is net downhill and suitable for tour cyclists of all abilities.
£16.16
Rowman & Littlefield Mountain Biking Moab
Book SynopsisThe Mountain Biking Moab Pocket Guide gives fat-tire enthusiasts the skinny on where to ride in this southwestern Mecca for mountain biking. The best rides around Moab, in Canyonlands and Arches national parks, high in the La Sals, and along the Colorado River are all covered in this handy pocket-size guidebook.
£13.49
The Crowood Press Ltd BMX Racing
Book SynopsisFor those new to BMX racing or improving their racing performance, BMX Racing, provides a practical and comprehensive resource for this exciting sport. It guides the reader through all stages and levels of racing, from beginner and club to professional level. Topics covered include: clothing and equipment for safe riding; choosing your first BMX bike; understanding the BMX track; getting started in racing and competition structure through the national, international and Olympic levels. Finally, there is practical instruction on techniques including balance, accelerating, cornering and jumping.
£12.34
ACC Art Books The Bicycle: A Miscellany on Two Wheels
Book SynopsisAs the world speeds up, as technology takes over, it is worth remembering how we used to live. This three-book series is a nostalgic hymn to an era when life was slower: a meandering ramble through the British countryside by bicycle, automobile and train. Squeeze the brakes, sit back and coast downhill with this irreverent collection of cycling memorabilia. The Bicycle is packed with pictures, fun facts, and light-hearted commentary, gathering photographs of vintage bikes, John Bull puncture repair kits, and misspelled signs rejecting the rights of 'Bycicles' to be locked to railings. Crossing the country from Cumbria to Cambridge, this quaint, pocket-sized manual is a compendium of all things two-wheeled.Trade Review“…fascinating new book The Bicycle – A Miscellany on Two Wheels (ACC Art Books), which explores the cultural impact of over 200 years of cycling. In the tome, you’ll discover ‘how this remarkable machine has been cycled for pleasure, put to work, sent to war and ridden very fast to set records’.” -- Ted Thornhill, Daily Mail;
£9.60
AA Publishing AA Bikers Britain
Book SynopsisUpdated 3rd edition of Bikers' Britain with updated content and new maps in a handy format and wiro binding allow the book to fit into a motorcycle tank bag. Clear routes based on mapping from the experts at the AA, excellent coverage of the whole of Great Britain, including North Coast 500 and South Coast 500.
£12.74
Thames & Hudson Ltd Mountains Epic Cycling Climbs
Book SynopsisAn expanded edition of the popular landscape and photography book, updated with sixteen new climbsTrade Review'A tribute to nature's beauty and man's dogged determination' - i'[A] spectacular portrait of some of the most beautiful and challenging scenery in the world ... offer[s] cycling aficionados plenty of bucket list inspiration' - Elle DecorationTable of ContentsIntroduction by Michael Blann • The Art of Mountains, Susannah Osborne • The French Alps • The Pyrenees & Mont Ventoux • Switzerland • Spain • The Spanish Islands & Portugal • The Italian Alps & The Dolomites • Essays interwoven throughout
£32.00
Penguin Books Ltd The Climb
Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE 2018 GIRO D''ITALIA!THREE TIME WINNER OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE.THE FIRST MAN SINCE BERNARD HINAULT TO HOLD THE MAGLIA ROSA, THE MAILLOT JAUNE AND THE MAILLOT ROJO AT THE SAME TIME.This is Chris Foome in his own words.''Engaging, vividly evoked'' Mail on Sunday, Books of the Year''What Chris has done is phenomenal'' Sir Chris HoySunday Times Bestseller, July 2014Trade ReviewIn this engaging memoir, Froome recalls his childhood in Nairobi, gives a vividly evoked account of his victory and doesn't attempt to gloss over the rivalry between the two Team Sky riders * Mail on Sunday, Books of the Year *Hard to beat for a top pro's perspective * Financial Times *Froome's story is an intriguing one -- Richard Williams * Guardian *A brutally tough upbringing -- Paul KimmageThe key to (Chris's) success is his mental resilience. He might look like an unlikely strong man at first glance, but I wouldn't let that fool you. Beneath the surface there is a real fighter. He's a tough guy -- Sir Dave BrailsfordChris Froome is an absolutely phenominal athlete. It blows my mind how incredible his performances have been -- Victoria PendletonEven though we don't see each other so much anymore he has lived in my dreams. He (was) wearing the yellow jersey every day and I almost felt I was wearing it myself -- David Kinjah, Chris Froome’s former cycling mentor and coach, Safari SimbazJust a few years ago we did not have anyone who could podium, but now we have two cyclists who can win the Tour in consecutive years. It is a phenomenal achievement and what Chris has done is phenomenal -- Sir Chris Hoy
£10.44
Rucksack Readers River Tay Way
Book SynopsisThis new, flexible trail appeals to both walkers and cyclists. Walk 50 miles from Loch Tay to Perth, or cycle 65 miles from Loch Tay to Dundee or mix and match. Or use Scotland's longest river for part of your journey by boat or kayak. Create your own adventure.Perthshire is home to grand scenery, famous trees and glorious wildlife. Both routes start from Loch Tay, where the nearby Crannog Centre celebrates Iron Age history, crafts and heritage. The walking route passes along forest tracks, ancient paths and disused railway trackbed,whilst cyclists follow cycleways NCN7 and 77 on tarmac.Enjoy a valley rich in native woodlands, birds and red squirrels. The River Tay is home to salmon and half of the world's freshwater pearl mussels.Most walkers will need 5-6 days to complete the 50-mile journey to Perth via Dunkeld. Cyclists with suitable bikes can complete the longer route from Loch Tay to Dundee via Perth over 2 to 3 days. Walkers and cyclists can divide the route into manageable sections and stay in welcoming villages.The guidebook features detailed directions and concise background, with illustrated sections on prehistory, heritage and wildlife.It offers practical help with accommodation and refreshments, and recommendsside-trips along the way. Lavishly illustrated, the book features customised mapping on 25 of its 80 pages, has over 100 colour photos and is perfect bound.
£15.29
HarperCollins Publishers One More Kilometre and Were in the Showers
Book SynopsisAn entertaining social and cultural history of cycling in post-war Europe seen through the eyes of a veteran racing cyclist.Trade Review‘A deeply affectionate mental scrapbook … Hilton has the skill as a writer to make the subject of cycling fresh and compelling again. Fascinating … Exuberant’ Matt Seaton, Guardian ‘An exhilarating work … just the book for anyone who, shooting past a traffic jam on the way to work, imagines himself wearing the winner’s yellow jersey at the head of the Tour de France pack’ Independent ‘Tim Hilton is a man of sardonic humour as well as high intelligence … his book is one of the most unusual, eccentric and captivating ever written by a “wheelman”’ Geoffrey Wheatcroft, Daily Mail ‘A hugely engaging history of the sport’ Simon O’Hagan, Books of the Year, Independent on Sunday ‘A charmingly eccentric account of his love of cycling, mixed in with a history of the sport’ John Preston, Books of the Year, Sunday Telegraph ‘Hilton is a brilliantly quirky, inventive writer … A wonderful testament to a life in the saddle’ Daily Telegraph ‘Remarkably infectious and richly atmospheric; so much so that the effect is like being hoisted up on to his handlebars and swept along for the ride. His enthusiasm drives everything forward at an exhilarating lick’ Sunday Telegraph
£14.24
HarperCollins Publishers Heroes Villains and Velodromes Chris Hoy and Britains Track Cycling Revolution
Book SynopsisFully updated to include the extraordinary scenes at London 2012, where Hoy won two more gold medals to bring his total to six and overtake Sir Steve Redgrave, this is the story of Britain's greatest ever Olympian.Trade Review‘This is an absolutely must-read book…Moore has cleverly used the very cogent words of others to paint a picture of real characters within a new order’ Graham Obree, Scotsman ‘A cracking story…I couldn’t put it down’ Hugh Porter, BBC cycling commentator ‘Like its hero, this book is the real McHoy.’ Scotland on Sunday ‘An excellent book’. The Sunday Times ‘…an inspiring tale. And in Richard Moore it has a splendid chronicler.’ Independent on Sunday ‘This is a must-read book that tells a story that had to be told.’ The Scotsman ‘…a gripping inside story of how Team GB’s cyclists rode to glory.’Independent on Sunday
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers The Autobiography My Autobiography
Book SynopsisThe Golden Girl of British cycling opens up, for the first time, in searingly honest detail about what drives her to compete in a sport she no longer loves. Written with Donald McRae, 2-time winner of the William Hill Award, “Between the Lines” is a gripping story of success against the odds.
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers The Call of the Road
Book SynopsisEddy Merckx. Fausto Coppi. Jacques Anquetil. Bernard Hinault. Beryl Burton. Marianne Vos.Since the first road race in May 1869, revealed here for the very first time, cycle road racing has been dominated by iconic cyclists who redefined endurance and fortitude. The battles facing these cyclists are not fought over just one race, but an annual series beginning with the Spring Classics and culminating in the three great tours the Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a España and the Tour de France before the cyclists retire to lick their wounds and start on another winter of training.How were the great races founded and developed? How have the great riders stamped their authority on them through the ages? Truly international in scope, looking at road racing in North and Latin America, Australia, Africa and Asia, as well as continental Europe, The Call of the Road is essential reading for anyone who is interested in the history, tactics or personalities of cycle road racing.Trade ReviewPraise for Chris Sidwells: ‘An intriguing read for almost any reader, not only those who are interested in cycling’ Tuam Herald ‘[An] engaging and accessible account of the race’s history’ Sunday Business Post
£11.69
HarperCollins Publishers Icons My Inspiration. My Motivation. My
Book SynopsisWith a foreword by Eddy MerckxThe world of professional cycling is fraught with fierce competition, fervent dedication and unerring ambition, and only a handful of competitors reach iconic status. Among them is Sir Bradley Wiggins a man uniquely placed to reflect on the history of this remarkable sport and its unforgettable titans.In Icons, Wiggins takes the reader on an extraordinarily intimate journey through the sport, presenting key pieces from his never-before-seen collection of memorabilia. Over the course of his illustrious career, he amassed hundreds of items often gifts from its greatest and most controversial figures. Each reflects an icon, a race or a moment that fundamentally influenced Wiggins on both a personal and professional level.By exploring the lives and achievements of 21 of the sport's key figures among them Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil, Miguel Induráin and Tom Simpson Wiggins sheds new light on what professional cycling demands of its best competitors. IconTrade Review‘If, like me, you’re a fan of cycling, you must have this book… Bradley’s collection of iconic jerseys is breath-taking and includes the 1949 yellow jersey of a personal hero of mine Fausto Coppi.’ – Paul Smith ‘Rather beautiful and an intriguing blend of cycling history and personal snippets.’ – The Guardian ‘An intriguing blend of historical research, fanboy memoir and candid confession’.’ – Cyclist ‘If you ever wanted to know about the events and people that influenced Bradley Wiggins' early cycling career and led to his love of the sport, then Icons is the book for you.’ – Road.cc
£22.50
HarperCollins Lance Armstrongs War
£13.29
HarperCollins The Loyal Lieutenant
£10.44
Ebury Publishing Boy Racer
Book SynopsisBoy Racer steps behind the scenes of the Tour de France. It unmasks the exotic, contradictory, hysterical and brutal world of professional cycling from the compellingly candid viewpoint of someone right in the thick of it.Written off as ''fat'' and ''useless'' in his youth, Mark Cavendish is now one of cycling''s brightest stars and one of Britain''s greatest ever cyclists. Some have called him cocky, but to anyone who doesn''t like his style, Mark will simply shrug his shoulders and reply, ''I know I''m good. There''s no point lying about it.''Peers say that they have never seen anyone with Cavendish''s hunger for success and while this fearlessness - both in the saddle and on the record - has at times led to controversy, it has also earned him the respect of ever more fans.In Boy Racer we follow him through the mayhem of the Tour de France in a page-turning journey of pure exhilaration.Trade ReviewBritain's best ever Tour de France cyclist * ProCycling Magazine *The hottest sprinter in the world * Daily Telegraph *Boy Racer...catch[es] the inner conflict between the impetuousness that makes Cavendish such a daunting competitor and the introspection that makes him such an interesting person * Guardian *Refreshingly frank and entertaining * Scotland on Sunday *Highly personal and revelatory and gives you a unique insight to one of Britain's most successful and respected sportsmen * Telegraph *
£12.34
Ebury Publishing At Speed
Book SynopsisBorn and raised on the Isle of Man, Mark Cavendish became a world track champion as a teenager in 2005, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist a year later and in 2008 regained his world title in partnership with Bradley Wiggins. He switched his focus to the more glamourous world of road cycling, andis widely regarded as the most exciting and charismatic rider to grace the sport in years. As well as achieving record-breaking performances in the Tour de France, he became the road race World Champion in 2011.Trade ReviewCav is and will always be one of cycling’s biggest characters and At Speed captures him perfectly -- Chris BoardmanBrilliant * Telegraph *Fantastic... a real insight... funny, self-lacerating, brutal * Cycling Weekly *Ultimately the joy of At Speed is the sense that, warts and all, this is the story of a rare sportsman…who isn’t afraid to speak his mind rather than trot out the banal, PR-groomed soundbites of so many of his peers … this book speaks to both the heart and the mind of true cycling fans * Velo Voices *The greatest sprinter of all time -- Bradley Wiggins
£13.49
Ebury Publishing Domestique
Book SynopsisCharly Wegelius was one of Britain's most distinguished and respected professional cyclists. He grew up in York, and went on to race for some of cycling's best teams, including Mapei, the world's most successful ever team. In his 11-year career he competed in a remarkable 14 Grand Tours (including three Tours de France). Charly now works as a directear sportif for the Garmin-Sharp team.Co-writer Tom Southam is a former professional racing cyclist. He raced alongside Charly Wegelius for three years in the Italian professional peleton, and twice rode the professional Roac Race Championships as a teamate of Wegelius. He now works as a writer and contributes to major cycling publications in the UK and internationally.Trade ReviewIf justice is alive and well in the world, this will be the sports book of the year 2013... a book that is well nigh impossible to put back on the shelf at the end of each chapter. * The Washing Machine Post.net *Interesting and revealing... the most accurate description of what being a highly-regarded domestique in the modern peloton is really like' * Cycling Weekly *One of the hardest working domestiques in the sport * Cycling Weekly *Couldn't put it down…the best insight into the peloton since Paul Kimmage’s Rough Ride -- William FotheringhamA must read. Absolutely outstanding -- Paul Kimmage
£15.29
Ebury Publishing Keep Calm and Pedal On
Book SynopsisIn the never ending streams of traffic and the choking fumes of pollution this book gives the average cycle enthusiast or, indeed novice, a collection of quotes, sayings and proverbs on even more reasons why one should get on their bike.In the format of the bestselling Keep Calm and Carry On, Keep Calm and Pedal On is the perfect gift for keen bikers. It is a book that will give a cyclist comfort in the knowledge that their passion for bikes is shared with some of world''s greatest leaders, personalities and authors.After all, in the words of John F. Kennedy, ''Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.''
£9.49
Ebury Publishing Cycling the Earth A Lifechanging Race Around the
Book SynopsisSean Conway was stuck in a life dead end of his own making when he heard about a round the world cycling race. He was immediately inspired but it was a huge undertaking and he'd hardly been on a bike in years. Could he really cycle all the way round the world, solo and unsupported?Six months later, after completing a punishing training schedule and packing up everything he owned into boxes, Sean was in Greenwich Park on the start line of the adventure of a lifetime. Soon he was way ahead of schedule, averaging 180 miles per day, and on course to break the round the world cycling record. But then disaster struck, and Sean was forced to confront the possibility that he may not be able to complete the race...In the course of his 16,000-mile journey, Sean travelled the famous pan-American highway across the Atacama Desert, outran tornados, relied on fellow travellers to ferry water across the Australian outback, and inadvertently joined a cycle club in Mumbai. He learntTrade ReviewConway is hardcore * Evening Standard *Britain's most inspiring maniac * Shortlist *
£14.39
Cornerstone Touching Distance
Book SynopsisDouble Olympic gold-medal winner, James Cracknell. His story before and after his life-changing accident.In October 2011 James Cracknell, two-time Olympic gold-medal rower and one of the greatest endurance athletes the world has ever known, suffered a seizure at home as his young son looked on in horror. A man who had known no limits, a man who had practically achieved the impossible, was now struggling to master life''s simple challenges.A year earlier, as James undertook yet another endurance challenge in Arizona, he was knocked off his bike by the wing mirror of a petrol tanker. It had smashed into the back of his head at high speed, causing severe frontal lobe damage. The doctors weren't sure if he would recover and, if he did, whether he would ever be the same again.Touching Distance is an extraordinary, honest and powerful account as James and his wife Bev confront for the first time the lasting effects that the accident has had on their lTrade ReviewAn inspirational, powerful account from an incredible bloke with guts and determination. * Sir Bradley Wiggins *James is a modern-day Hercules. Every day brings a new challenge. * Clare Balding *A remarkable portrait of love, loyalty and determination - from both sides of a marriage. * Daily Mail *A rower's extraordinary story is movingly told. * Daily Telegraph *It is a deeply honest, compelling account. * Sun *
£13.85
Vintage Publishing Two Wheels Good
Book Synopsis**SHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2023**''Full of delightful anecdotes and interviews and fascinating historical tales'' Mail on SundayA panoramic portrait of the wonderous vehicle whose passenger is also its engine.A toy, a tool, a liberator, or complete nuisance: the bicycle has been many things to many people over the decades, yet it endures as the most popular form of transport in the world. How has such a simple machine achieved so much?Combining history, travelogue and memoir, Jody Rosen reshapes our understanding of this ubiquitous vehicle from its invention in 1817 to its present-day renaissance as a ''green machine''. Readers meet unforgettable characters: women''s suffragists who steered bikes to the barricades in the 1890s, a Bhutanese king who races mountain bikes in the Himalayas, astronauts who ride a floating bicycle in zero gravity.By examining the bicycle''s past and peering into its fuTrade ReviewWhen I fell in love with riding a bike in New York City last year, what I found myself craving was a history-of the bicycle... that whoever wrote this history would find a way to make it personal and ruminative... Lo and behold: Jody Rosen has written that very book. My wish has come true and a door's been blown open. I got more than I knew I wanted * New York TImes *Two Wheels Good is full of interesting moments...and is often written with real verve... his [Rosen's] enthusiasm for what is sometimes described as mankind's "noblest invention" is infectious * Times Literary Supplement *The engaging tone of Rosen's memoir-travelogue-history is the grim cheerfulness of the urban cyclist. He gives a vivid sense of the cinematic pleasures of cycling through a city. * Spectator *A jovial historical narrative ... Rosen rightly get us to expand our narrow Western image of the bicycle to a global perspective [and] is skilled yet selective in navigating the complex and rich history of the bicycle, taking us across continents and through centuries ... a thoroughly enjoyable, and sometimes surprising read * Cycle *The bicycle has been loved and loathed... Rosen's vibrant history explores it all * BBC History Magazine *Comprehensive . . . [Two Wheels Good] often feels like a leisurely ride, full of spontaneous detours into unexpected delight. But what makes the book essential is its rigorous reporting * The Atlantic *The best thing I've ever read on a single subject... With curiosity, conscientiousness, and an exquisitely light touch, [Joden] makes a convincing case that the story of the bike is the story of modern life -- Lauren Collins, author of When in FrenchWide-ranging and inquisitive, Two Wheels Good is like an entire library of books on the bicycle -- Lucy Sante, author of Low LifeTakes us on a ride-across the centuries and around the globe, through startling history and vivid first-person reporting-offering not just a wry, rich, deeply researched meditation on the bicycle and our relationship to it, but the headlong rush of cruising on two wheels into the unknown -- Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Empire of Pain and Say NothingThe stores are filled with books on little things that changed everything, but Jody Rosen's new book offers us a real little thing-the simple bicycle-that really did change everything, from the shape of our streets to the inner life of our imaginations... this is social history as it ought to be written: funny, precise, surprising, anti-dogmatic and unafraid of following a story, brakes off, to wherever the tale might want to glide -- Adam Gopnik, author of Paris to the MoonLove for two-wheeled transport runs through every sentence in the book... anyone who goes about mostly on two wheels, in defiance of the ever larger, ever more numerous powered vehicles on the road, will enjoy this entertaining ride. * Economist *[A] complex cultural history. . . . The strength of Two Wheels Good is the journalist's eye [Rosen] brings to a basic technology that has had radically disparate identities at different times and in different parts of the world * Curbed *A lively biography of a tool central to the greening of urban spaces. It's also a fascinating, sweeping everyday explainer, moving from the bike's 19th-century origins to its importance globally * Chicago Tribune *Full of delightful anecdotes and interviews, and fascinating historical tales, Two Wheels Good will expand your understanding of what a bicycle is and what it can do * Mail on Sunday *An enthralling overview of a quiet transport revolution * History Today *A terrific book... Rosen covers all the aspects of cycling you could imagine * Reader's Digest *Excellent * Cycling Weekly *
£10.44
Penguin Putnam Inc How Cycling Can Save the World
Book Synopsis
£16.00
Random House New Zealand Ltd New Zealand Cycle Trails A Guide to New Zealands
Book SynopsisHow to enjoy New Zealand's cycle trail network, by a writer who knows them like the back of his hand. How to enjoy New Zealand's cycle trail network, by a writer who knows them like the back of his hand. Nga Haerenga - the New Zealand Cycle Trails - began as a vision to inspire people to experience New Zealand's great outdoors by bike. This book is stuffed full of useful information on the different trails - how to get there, what you will see, level of difficulty, things to take, places to eat and places to stay. There is fascinating background information on each area - its history and the local flora and fauna - as well as on the ride itself. This new edition covers several new sections of the trails, and provides updates on any on-going construction work. There is also a highly practical section full of advice on choosing the right bike, gear to take, cell phone coverage in the different areas, weather and the best times of year for each trail, environmental care and useful
£37.95
Vintage Publishing Fallen Angel
Book SynopsisVoted the most popular Italian sportsman of the twentieth century, Fausto Angelo Coppi was the campionissimo - champion of champions. The greatest cyclist of the immediate post-war years, he was the first man to win cycling''s great double, the Tour de France and Tour of Italy in the same year - and he did it twice. He achieved mythical status for his crushing solo victories, world titles and world records. But his significance extends far beyond his sport. Coppi''s scandalous divorce and controversial early death convulsed a conservative, staunchly Roman Catholic Italy in the 1950s. At a time when adultery was still illegal, Coppi and his lover were dragged from their bed in the middle of the night, excommunicated and forced to face a clamorous legal battle. The ramifications of this case are still being felt today.In Fallen Angel, acclaimed cycling biographer, William Fotheringham, tells the tragic story of Coppi''s life and death - of how a man who bTrade ReviewSympathetic and perceptive. Times have changed but the myth lives on * Independent on Sunday *The Italian star's rivalry with Gino Bartali makes Armstrong v Contador look like a playground spat -- Tim Lewis * Observer *Admirable. Coppi's melancholy journey from poverty to superstardom is a cautionary tale of the price of fame * Financial Times *The quality of the testimony and the sources used by Fotheringham are of a remarkable breadth and depth. An excellent book * BBC Sport *Fotheringham is at his best when describing the emergence of a new national hero from a world of rubble and grinding poverty -- Richard Williams * Guardian *
£11.69
Vintage Publishing Put Me Back on My Bike
Book SynopsisDiscover the story of Britain's ultimate cyclist and his ill-fated race during the 1967 Tour de France, from the bestselling author of Half Man Half BikeTom Simpson was an Olympic medallist, world champion and the first Briton to wear the fabled yellow jersey of the Tour de France. He died a tragic early death during the 1967 Tour. A man of contradictions, Simpson was one of the first cyclists to admit to using banned drugs, and was accused of fixing races, yet the dapper ''Major Tom'' inspired awe and affection for the obsessive will to win which was ultimately to cost him his life. Put Me Back on My Bike revisits the places and people associated with Simpson to produce the definitive story of Britain''s greatest ever cyclist. The fully revised and updated edition of William Fotheringham''s classic biography features a new foreword and postscript further exploring the truth behind the legend.The best cycling biography evTrade ReviewThe best cycling biography ever written * Velo *An intelligent, perceptive portrait * Guardian *A beautiful explanation of why Simpson's legend still exerts such a powerful hold * Sunday Times *An enjoyable, clear-eyed biography * Times Literary Supplement *The definitive story of Britain’s greatest ever cyclist -- Christmas books recommendations * Cycle Sport *
£11.69
Vintage Publishing We Were Young and Carefree
Book Synopsis''Ah, I remember you: you''re the guy who lost the Tour de France by eight seconds!''''No monsieur, I''m the guy who won the Tour twice.The international bestselling autobiography of the legendary French cyclist Laurent Fignon Two-time winner of the Tour de France in the early eighties, Laurent Fignon became the star for a new generation. In the 1989 tour, he lost out to his American arch-rival, Greg LeMond, by an agonising eight seconds. In this revealing account, the former champion spares nobody, not even himself, and pulls back the curtain on what really went on behind the scenes of this epic sport - the friendships, the rivalries, the betrayals, the parties, the girls and, of course, the performance-enhancing drugs. Fignon''s story bestrides a golden age in cycling: a time when the headlines spoke of heroes, not doping, and a time when cyclists were afraid of nothing.Sports book of the year: He''s Trade ReviewAstonishing. The twice winner of the Tour de France bares his soul, exploring the ups and downs of life as a champion, the world of competitive cycling, and his own failings * Libération *Sports book of the year: He's ruthlessly honest, about himself and about cycling, and he provides a gripping insight into an unrelenting hard world * Independent *This book is both a poignant farewell and as well as a rare glimpse of Fignon and his world in his own words * London Cyclist *Sports book of the year: magnificent, baffling, wonderful * Sunday Herald *Often touching and, above all, very funny * L'Equipe *
£16.14
Vintage Publishing How I Won the Yellow Jumper
Book SynopsisNed Boulting started his broadcasting career at Sky in 1997, working as a reporter alongside Jeff Stelling on the now legendary show Soccer Saturday. In 2006 he was given the Royal Television Society's Sports Reporter of the Year Award. He has presented two Tours of Britain for ITV, as well as the inaugural Tour Series, and contributed features and live reports on eight Tours de France.Trade ReviewHugely enjoyable...The only real problem with this book is that it's making me wish away the start of the summer and fast-forward to 2 July and le grand départ -- Helen Pidd * Guardian *His journey from self confessed 'football hack winging it in a sport beyond his ken' to his initiation into the Tour's nuances and eccentric characters delivers an amusing, warm and easy read * London Cyclist *A candid, insightful and often hilarious account -- Alastair CampbellI thought Ned was an old hand at the Tour. Evidently he was clueless... Told with panache -- David MillarHugely enjoyable... Brilliant -- Ben East * Metro *
£11.69
Vintage Publishing Born to Ride
Book SynopsisStephen Roche was born in Dundrum, Dublin, Ireland. As a road racing cyclist, over the course of 13 years, he recorded 58 professional career wins, including the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and the World Road Racing Championship, all of which he won in 1987. Since retiring Stephen has set up and built Stephen Roche Cycling Holidays and Training Camps, based in Majorca and worked as a commentator for Eurosport. Born to Ride is his first full autobiography.Trade ReviewFascinating…a compelling read * Cycling Shorts *One of the most riveting sporting biographies I've read for ages * Herald *While most people focus on his famous year in 1987, it's often forgotten just how precocious a cyclist Roche was early on in his career…an entertaining read -- John Whitney * Bike Radar *The intimacy and tone of a fireside chat – possibly lubricated with a generous nightcap -- Daniel Friebe * Outdoor Fitness *Highly recommended * Cycling World *
£11.69
Vintage Publishing The Badger
Book SynopsisBernard Hinault is one of the greatest cyclists of all time. He is a five-time winner of the Tour de France and the only man to have won each of the Grand Tours on more than one occasion. Hinault is the last old-school' champion: a larger-than-life character from a working-class background, capable of winning on all terrains, in major Tours and one-day Classics. Nicknamed the Badger' for his combative style, he led a cyclists' strike in his first Tour and instigated a legendary punch-up with demonstrators in 1982 while in the middle of a race. His battles with teammates Laurent Fignon and Greg LeMond in the 1986 Tour resulted in one of the greatest races of all time. Three decades on from his retirement, Hinault remains the last French winner of the Tour de France. Here, William Fotheringham shows that while France may one day find a new champion, there will never be another Bernard Hinault.Trade ReviewA thorough, well-researched and highly readable biography about one of cycling's best ever riders * Road *One of cycling’s most fascinating characters * Sport *
£9.99
Vintage Publishing The Cycling Anthology
Book SynopsisProfessional cycling is a rich, dynamic and often controversial sport that lends itself to great writing. Some of the most famous and illustrious races were founded by newspapermen and The Cycling Anthology continues this tradition by bringing together the best in the business. Volume Five is an eclectic mix of stories old and new:As World War One is commemorated acros the globe, Brendan Gallagher looks at cycling''s war heroes and the role the bicycle played in WWI. Jeremy Whittle goes in search of panache - why you don''t always have to be a winner to be a winner in the public''s eyes.Francois Thomazeau examines how the Tour de France became the international event it is today. The 2014 Tour de France is relived in the form of poetry, by Ellis Bacon. Lionel Birnie tells the story behind the Linda McCartney cycling team, the great British team that could have been. Joey McLoughlin was Trade ReviewAlmost timeless… The book [will be] just as relevant and readable in years to come… A worthy addition to this well-proven series of eclectic and well-written stories * Cycling World *Insightful and easily-digested collection of cycling stories covering a wide range of topics -- Mike Stead * Road *
£15.49
Vintage Publishing The Cycling Anthology Volume Four Volume 4
Book SynopsisProfessional cycling is a rich, dynamic and often controversial sport that lends itself to great writing. Some of the most famous and illustrious races were founded by newspapermen and The Cycling Anthology continues this tradition by bringing together the best in the business. Volume Four features original and exclusive pieces by leading cycling writers. William Fotheringham remembers the journalist who was instrumental in bringing road-racing to a British audience; Ellis Bacon looks beyond Queen to the link between bikes and beats; Richard Moore finds out what happened to that little punk' (Lance Armstrong's words), Iban Mayo, and asks if he really did become a long-distance lorry driver; Daniel Friebe re-examines the ups and downs of Marco Pantani; Tom Southam explains what it's like not to ride the Tour de France; and much more.Between them, these writers have covered hundreds of Tours de France and written dozens of excellent books and some have evTrade ReviewProfessional pro cycling journalism for grown ups. These are the kind of stories that you may have wondered at, but don’t often get to see in this detail * Road.cc *A pleasure to read … packed with a variety of subject and rich prose * The Inner Ring *
£9.49
Vintage Publishing The Cycling Anthology
Book SynopsisTHE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CYCLING IN FIVE VOLUMESVolume One of The Cycling Anthology, a collection of the best writing on cycling by some of the sport''s leading writers. Between them, they've covered hundreds of Tours de France and written dozens of excellent books and some have even ridden the Tour. Now, their work is showcased together for the first time.Volume One features original and exclusive pieces by leading cycling writers, including:- William Fotheringham disects Bradley Wiggins'' transformation from track superstar to becoming the first Briton to win the Tour de France- David Millar discusses retirement and dark secrets as his friends'' careers start to fade- Daniel Friebe uncovers the fascinating role statistics has to play in cycling- Jeremy Whittle follows Team Sky to assess the Lance Armstrong''s legacy to the sportTrade ReviewProfessional pro cycling journalism for grown ups. These are the kind of stories that you may have wondered at, but don’t often get to see in this detail * Road.cc *A pleasure to read … packed with a variety of subject and rich prose * The Inner Ring *
£15.19
Vintage Publishing The Cycling Anthology Volume Two 25 The Cycling
Book SynopsisVolume Two is a Tour de France special edition and features original and exclusive pieces by leading cycling writers. Between them, they’ve covered hundreds of Tours de France and written dozens of excellent books and some have even ridden the Tour.Trade ReviewProfessional pro cycling journalism for grown ups. These are the kind of stories that you may have wondered at, but don’t often get to see in this detail * Road.cc *A pleasure to read … packed with a variety of subject and rich prose * The Inner Ring *
£8.54
