Well, I come to cycling very late (and lately), but ...

I just started reading The Dancing Chain yesterday, and will love it based on what I have already read.

I like Zinn's book and Bicycling's book on maintenance. Between them, they convinced me not to buy Barnett. At least for now.

Cycling Past 50 and Serious Cycling are mostly health, training, and cyclist care books. I like both, and will probably use bits from each to help me set up my training for Ventoux.

Lastly, I have Chris Boardman's book, which is more a how and why of a pro racer. Fascinating stuff, especially that a person would be so driven by the need to succeed that he chose bicycles - which he seems not to enjoy riding - because it is the best vehicle for him to succeed on.

I am really interested in the technical (read mechanical toy) aspects of bicycles as well as riding, so any other recommendations by members would be appreciated. Books such as The Racing Bike Book, 100 Years of Bicycle Component and Accessory Design, and Bicycle Technology for example. And has anyone read any of the Proceedings of the xxx International Cycle History Conference volumes?

Cheers...Gary