Cycling books?

[V8Matthew]

Hi all. It is my friend's birthday soon and I want to buy him something cycling-related. He is into road and mountain biking. Can anybody recommend an interesting book, as I know very little about it. He is fairly experienced and good mechanically so probably nothing aimed too much towards novices. Perhaps something recounting an experience or journey - all suggestions welcome!

[964Cup]

Half-Man, Half-Bike by William Fotheringham (bio of Eddy Mercx)
Wide-eyed and Legless by Jeff Connor (story of the ANC-Halfords 1987 TdF disaster)
Sex, Lies and Handlebar Tape by Paul Howard (bio of Jacques Anquetil)
Domestique by Charly Wegelius (warts-and-all autobiography of a Tour domestique - now sporting director of Cannondale-Drapac)

or anything else by Fotheringham.

I'd avoid The Program by David Walsh (story of Armstrong's downfall), for all that he performed a great public good, because it's not actually that well written, sadly.

Hard to choose one, but Domestique is very readable if you're not into cycling history so much.

[Gren]

Tim Moore's books following in the tracks of the Tour and Giro are pretty good. More travelogues than anything but they have a cycling theme.

There are a few decent autobiographies around. I've just read Boardman's. A good read with a dry sense of humour. Geraint Thomas' book was also good although more just a collection of stories than a biog.

Etap is good if your mate is into the TdF or Ned Boulting's books for the lighter side of the Tour.

I wouldn't bother with anything in bike maintenance. Youtube is a far better source.

PS I liked Domestique too

[Hackney]

964Cup said:

or anything else by Fotheringham.

This.

"Put me back on my bike" is my favourite, or "Fallen Angel"

Also try
"Pedalare Pedalare" by John Foot
"Racing Through the Dark" and "The Racer" by David Miller

[BoRED S2upid]

Gren said:

Tim Moore's books following in the tracks of the Tour and Giro are pretty good. More travelogues than anything but they have a cycling theme.

Gironimo is very good recreating the toughest bike race in history on a period bike in period clothing a great read.

[anonymous-user]

The Cycling Anthology series edited by Ellis Bacon are very good, a series of essays written by the likes of Fotheringham et al, unusual subject matters and good insight.

[louiebaby]

I'm currently enjoying Racing Through the Dark by David Millar.

I enjoyed Geraint Thomas' book, but as mentioned it is a bit more of a series of short anecdotes. (This does mean you can easily read a bit before bed, and put it down. It's worth a read though.)

[snotrag]

The Geraint Thomas book is really enjoyable, was a pool-side read on holiday this year. some interesting stuff.

[Treb0r]

I really enjoyed the secret race - a real eye opener for me and I liked the way it was written

[Vocal Minority]

Both of David Millar's books - Racing Through the Dark and The Racer are very readable.

Fotheringham's Roule Britannia is good as a history of Brits in the TdF

[addey]

Graeme Obree's auto biography "the flying Scotsman" is a great read, probably my favourite cycling book. Also good are "the hour" by Michael Hutchinson, "in search of robert millar" by Richard Moore, "the rider" by Tim Krabbe, and for something a bit different try Alastair Humphreys books about riding round the world

[S10GTA]

This is a good one - The death of Marco Pantani

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-Marco-Pantani-Biogr...

[okgo]

Hutch is a bit annoying but he writes well, and his books 'The Hour' and 'Faster' are really interesting.

[Kell]

This is an iteresting read if he's into touring at all. (Clicky Piccy)

[snotrag]

Also 'Its all about the bike'

[louiebaby]

I read the Lance Armstrong autobiographies BEFORE it all came out.

I'd be quite interested to re-read them now...

[V8Matthew]

Lots of suggestions so far, thanks all. Will have a browse of them tonight when I'm off work!

[campionissimo]

This is excellent.






Any of the Cycling Anthology series





This is a brilliant little book.

[V8Matthew]

Thank you for all your suggestions - I plumped for Gironimo. I will revisit this thread at Christmas time

[leyorkie]

Gironimo 10/10 good choice.
It was serialised on Radio 4 book of the week two years ago very funny.