tombailey

Apologies if this has been a previous thread (couldn't find one by searching).

This is an entertaining book about a clyde losing some weight, giving up smoking and drinking, and becoming a bike nut. It's by Mike Magnusson.

Worth a read.

(51)

Isn't he like a Strongman competitor? Or am I getting him confused with another Magnusson?

(51)

Lance Armstrong has shown the world what tremendous athleticism it takes to be a champion cyclist. Now Magnuson weighs in on the sport, from the point of view of a regular guy. The author of Lummox: The Evolution of a Man is a 255-pound, pack-a-day 40-year-old who's desperate to get his life back into shape. And he chooses the challenge of cycling to achieve that, largely because of its total lack of mercy. "I needed the crap beaten out of me," Magnuson explains. So he launches into his own journey, one where he succeeds in spades, drops pounds and quits smoking to become a true road warrior. It's a compelling premise, made all too real by the cover image of a mostly nude, overweight man on a bike. Magnuson approaches the book with that kind of humor, and a rapid pace that mirrors the sport he's fallen in love with. The downfall is that the colloquial fun often drifts into silly superficiality (on reading Samuel Beckett: "I'm like totally wow, blown aw?y, this stuff rocks!"). And although Magnuson, a university creative writing professor, occasionally tries to inject a bit of intellectual heft, dropping in Kafka and Camus references alongside his racing stories, it just never works as a thrilling narrative. This life makeover is an admirable achievement, but doesn't make for great reading

https://www.amazon.com/Heft-Wheels-Fi.../dp/1400052408

Only a buck on Amazon.

cohophysh

Good book, he basically changed his "fix" from cigs and beer to cycling

Askel

This book had more than a little to do with my own recent lifestyle change/midlife crisis. It's also probably 100% responsible for me buying a road bike this spring.

The book probably isn't for everybody, but it certainly is inspriational, motivating, and all that other hokum for me.

I still read a little bit of it every day.

thestoutdog

I have read it a few times, and this book is part of the reason I came back to cycling. I suggest it as an entertaining read if nothing else.

dinosaur1435

I am personal friends with Mike Magnuson (Not the Strongman) He wrote the Hey Big Fella Article in Bicycling about me and a guy named Sam Wade. That article was nominated for a National Magazine Award. I hosted mike for three day while we rode and shot the **** for three days.

zowie

I thought it made great reading.

photoassign

sounds good, just ordered. can't beat the price at five bucks shipped.

racer21

+ 1

aliensporebomb

Heft on Wheels is a great book. Very inspirational.

bautieri

(51)

I think you mean Magnus Samuelsson. He's not physically the biggest competitor in the Worlds Strongest Man competitions, but man this guy is an animal. Look up some of his workouts.

epcolt

great book

cage.mcp

He's a regular contributor to Bicycling magazine. dinosaur1435 mentioned the Big Guy article, which was excellent. Magnuson has also written a great article about riding Mt. Ventoux (he had a nasty crash). Good writer, no matter what the subject.

dschorre

The storong man you are referring is Magnus ver Magnusson of Iceland. Very well the greatest strong man that ever lived.

Anyway, I hope my trek of weight loss and lifestyle change will be as successfull as Mike's.

zultan

I bought this book on everyone here's recommendation, am really glad I did. I read it cover to cover in one sitting. Truly is inspiring stuff.

fzrdave

It's a good, quick read that I really enjoyed. But be forewarned, there's a chapter in the middle that might make you cry. It was the best written chapter in the book.

dahoss2002

Wow, good book. Just finished reading it, and kinda like every once in a while you hear a song about yourself, I thought I was reading about some of my own problems. Very inspirational and good reading.

DieselDan

I think the author used to post here.

TallSteve

I bought the book and have it front of me as I type. I cant wait to start reading it after all of these great comments.