that every cyclist should read/own? I have read threads that refer to Greg Lemonds books. I realize that this is a matter of opinion, just like everything else.

Lance's Its Not About the Bike, My Journey Back to Life, Is an excellent book.

I'll second Lance’s book. But as the title explains, it’s not all about cycling. Great read!

The only non-training cycling book I have is called "The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World; The Autobiography of Major Taylor" written by Marshall Taylor. It's a fascinating account of how Major Taylor fought against racism and segregation to compete in cycling races- he talks about his racing in other countries too.

Whoops, I have "It's Not About the Bike" too, so I guess I have two non-training cycling books! I liked this book too, but I gave it to my dad, since he was diagnosed with cancer and I wanted to show him he could push past his crisis too.

Koffee

How's your dad doing?

John Forrester's Effective Cycling, the best, most comprehensive guide to road cycling. This book is getting a little dated now and the sections on equipment and maintenance show that. But it's by far the best instructional guide for everything from how to change a tire to commuting in city traffic.

In England, CycleCraft is the equivalent for those that ride on the left hand side.

Well as far as how-to books go. Zinn and the art of road/mountain bike maintenance are great guides.

The Bicycle Wheel Building book.....

Whoops- didn't even think to name the training cycling books. I put stars next to the ones you should get first if you can't afford to get all of them at once:

Ed Burke:
"Science of Cycling"
"Serious Cycling" *
Precision Heart Rate Training
"High-Tech Cycling"

Sally Edwards:
"The Heart Rate Monitor Book" *
"The Heart Rate Monitor Book for Outdoor and Indoor Cyclists" *
"Heart Zone Training"
"The Heart Rate Guidebook to Heart Zone Training"

Joe Friel:
"The Cyclists Training Bible" *

I've got a lot more books, but these I would call the staple diet of my training books.

Koffee

most of these books are available at my college library so you don't *have* to buy them

Very true you could get all the books at some library, but I'm just selfish- when I want a book, I want to be able to highlight it, dog ear it when I'm halfway through a chapter, read it while I'm soaking in a bath after a long ride, etc....

I also like to refer back to the books, and I can't be bothered with running to the library every time the urge strikes me to re-read some of the basics.

That's just me, though. I'm selfish!


Koffee