Niall

I'm looking for a book for general reference and advice rather than a specific training programme. I ride for fun rather than pure speed and stats and haven't really considered racing, though it's nice to see higher average speeds on my regular rides.

I guess if anything I'd be more interested in advice on endurance and long distance rides than for racing, as am increasing the length of my rides and would like to be able to do them more quickly and comfortably.

Any ideas?

Bop Bop

I currently am reading Chris Carmichael's "The Ultimate Ride". It's really written to help racers, which I am not interested in doing. But like yourself I just want to be able to ride longer distances, do it better than I am and healthier. I skip everything which is strictly race related. There is alot in the book the average ride can use.

Guest

Sure- try Joe Friel's "Cyclists Training Bible". Also, try some of the Sally Edwards books- I like "The Heart Rate Monitor Book for Outdoor and Indoor Cyclists" and "The Heart Rate Monitor Book". Finally, I strongly recommend Ed Burke's "Serious Cycling". Do make sure you get the latest publication he did, which he completed just months before he died. It has a lot of extra goodies about the tactical riding you're craving. You can get the endurance type stuff towards the beginning of the book, skip over the racing stuff, and start heading towards the back of the book when he describes how to put together your training program.

Those are the best books out there I've read that the average individual can pick up and (hopefully) understand.

Koffee

tbick

Carmichaels new book "food for fitness" is quite good

Guest

Oh gosh, I forgot to add in the nutrition book by Dr. Phil Maffetone. He did a good book for optimal eating called "In Fitness and In Health". I always thought it comprehensive and very thorough. There is a second book I would also recommend called "Optimal Nutrition for Optimal Health" by Thomas Levy. I think it's a great book- totally dissects a lot of the fad diets out there and then educates you so that you can make healthy eating choices.


Koffee

Niall

Thanks I'll go and check them out, I think I spied them in the bookshop in town surprisingly enough.

Any opinions on Simon Doughty's 'The Long Distance Cyclists Handbook'?

Guest

Never heard of Simon Doughty, but if you do a quick check of what is inside the book and compare them to the books recommended, you can see if the guy is on the up and up. That is, if no one else pipes in with suggestions.

Koffee

blonde

The Simon Doughty book is excellent and nicely down to earth. It's split into three 'volumes':

Get Ready: bikes, bike fitting, clothing etc.
Get Set: nutrition, hygiene, safety, logistics.
Go: training principles and basics, specific events, psychology, examples (touring, PBP, RAAM)