Cycling books: recommendation and avoid - Racing only

[wintonbina]

Perhaps we should start a book exchange/swap system on here. It would rely on everyone's trust to send the books to each otherI have LC's book Every second counts if someone wants to swap!

 

[Stange]

"A Race for Madmen" is good as is "Blazing Saddles". Ned Boulting's is fun and I even enjoyed the "Sky's the Limit".

 

[2pies]

Can anyone recommend a good book about Merckx? I'm ashamed to say that I know almost nothing about the greatest cyclist ever.

Loved Slaying the Badger. Hopefully Santa will be bringing me a retro La Vie Claire shirt. How can you not love it?

 

[alecstilleyedye]

ned boulting's the yellow jumper is a great read; got it for my birthday and finished it the same weekend.

i also recommend in search of tom simpson, and the death of marco pantani.

my favourite book though is the 2003 centenary book of the tour de france, which gives 4 large pages to each race, loads of brilliant photos too.

 

[ColinJ]

Perhaps we should start a book exchange/swap system on here. It would rely on everyone's trust to send the books to each otherI have LC's book Every second counts if someone wants to swap!

We've been doing something similar on CycleChat for years, but we do it on a 'pass it on' basis! I've donated books and I've borrowed and passed on books.

 

[Monsieur Remings]

A Race for Mad Men: The Extraordinary History of the Tour de France by Chris Sidwells.

 

[wintonbina]

+1 A Race for Madmen

 

[Thompson]

I've got one of Team Sky and a Cavendish one, but i've been wanting that race for mad men one. Hoping Santa is reading this.

 

[Enigma2008]

Any of Greg Moody's cycling thrillers. A riveting read and ok they're fiction but they're still very good. A thriller mystery; that's about cycling! Brilliant IMO.

 

[Spartak]

Another vote here for 'The Hour' by Michael Hutchinson.

 

[Noodley]

Just about finished Sex, Lies and Handlebar tape which, although it has some quite good bits, is mostly rather dull considering the subject matter...I am currently reading the final chapters where he has a child with his step-daughter at the insistence of her mother, then starts a long-term relationship with his stepsons partner (don't worry that's not a **spoiler** as you've had plenty of time to know the result by now! )...quite strange. But still rather dull.

 

[Little yellow Brompton]

The Escape Artist by Matt Seaton. A fascinating insight into road riding lore and a shocking twist at the end.

+1 I cried! :-(

 

[PeteT]

I am currently reading the final chapters where he has a child with his step-daughter at the insistence of her mother, then starts a long-term relationship with his stepsons partner

Was he Cornish by any chance? Sounds like normal behaviour down there!

 

[Noodley]

 

[kinchonwheels]

"The hour" is a great read and well written too.
"Rough ride" is terrific and very well written. Kimmage certainly found his vocation.
"dog in a hat" is also very good and more light hearted.
"breaking the chain", willy voet was also gripping as you are following the story from conviction to today.
inside the pelotan", nicolas roche was good / ok, he looses points from me as it was ghost written. I feel more could have been put concerning his relationship with his father and other irish cyclists that he was close to...