Biking books
 

So I was wondering if anyone has read any good books about biking. Touring biking, racing, etc. I just ordered Life is a Wheel, and can't wait to start it. The last book I read was Ultramarathon Man by Dan Karnazes. Anyone got any good books to read while we rest our legs.

I've recently taken to reading books on my phone. So whether waiting in a waiting room, or in a parked car, I have something handy to read. Grant Petersen's book: Just Ride was perfect for the smartphone format. Currently I've been reading the Hungry Cyclist. Not as well suited for the format but so far not a bad read.

When I read cycling books, they're almost all about touring. I recommend Joe Kurmanski's books, Cycling Home from Siberia by Rob Lilwall and Miles From Nowhere by Barbara Savage (written in the '70s and still one of the best touring books ever).

Really enjoyed "The Rider" by Tim Krabbe. Wasn't as blown away by "The Yellow Jersey", but with so much praise from other quarters I might give it another try.

"Wheelmen" was a pretty well-written look into the Lance Armstrong doping stuff, which I generally don't care a whole lot about, but I got the book cheap at a swap meet.

Irish writer Dervla Murphy :thumb:

" Dervla Murphy’s first book, Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle , was published in 1965. Over 20 other titles have followed. Dervla has won worldwide praise for her writing and has been described as a ‘travel legend’ and ‘the first lady of Irish cycling’. Now in her 80s, she continues to travel around the world and remains passionate about politics, conservation, bicycling and beer. "

The Lost Cyclist was enjoyable
The Lost Cyclist: The Epic Tale of an American Adventurer and His Mysterious Disappearance: David Herlihy: 9780547521985: Amazon.com: Books

Le Metier. One of the best books about life as a PRO. Great inspiring photos too.
http://www.amazon.com/Le-Métier-Seas.../dp/1408181673

Best book ever written about bike racing.

There's Grant Peterson's missive on how to ride, but warning, he might offend some people as he dislikes clipless pedals and advocates mashing up hills rather than spinning.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/bo...rsen.html?_r=0

David Byrne's book (Yeah, from the Talking Heads.) Bicycle Diaries is pretty good. So is Robert Penn's It's All About The Bike. Byrne's book is about riding his folding bike all over the world while the band was touring, and Penn's book is more a history/documentary of his research while having a custom road bike built.

"No hands : the rise and fall of the Schwinn Bicycle Company : an American institution" is a good book about the bicycle industry.

The Road to Valor: A True Story of WW II Italy, the Nazis and a Cyclist that inspired a Nation Aili and Andres Mcconnon

Cycling but also history and cultural history. Excellent

Half Man Half Bike: The Life of Eddy Merckx William Fotheringham
Very interesting. You may skim some of the descriptions of certain races, but again the history and culture of European cycling is excellent.

Both highly recommended for time you can't be on your bike.

Life is a Wheel is the best! Loved it. Bought a copy to pass around to all my biking buddies. Inspired me to do a tour through Maine this September, my first year of retirement from 40 years in the classroom.

Enjoy

If you like the tech aspect of biking, then the third edition of "Bicycle Science" is very good. I think the best out there.

For an appreciation of the history of bikes, or rather the state of the biking art in 1906, or more importantly the notion that there have been very clever people trying to improve bicycles for a long time, try a reprint of Archibald Sharp's "Bicycles and Tricycles".

I'm kind of interested in reading Lanterne Rouge, The Last Man in the Tour de France. Seems to have decent reviews.

I agree with John. I am about half finished reading this book and it is a real good read. It details the rise and fall of Schwinn but it reads as a who's who of sorts as to many of the major players in the industry.....

When I heard about this book I had to read it as I love my Schwinns. It was written in 1996 and I figured I would pick up a cheap copy on Amazon. Wrong! they want 60 bucks or better for it. For giggles I checked my local Public Library's website and to my surprise they had a pristine copy!!!

Max Bryant

An oldie but goody is "Hey Mom, Can I Ride My Bike Across America?: Five Kids Meet Their Country"

A true life story. Dead Poets Society meets Stand By Me as 5 real 12- and 13-yr.-olds ride their bicycles 5,000 miles across America. They want to see if their country is as wonderful as their teacher says it is.

Hey Mom, Can I Ride My Bike Across America?: Five Kids Meet Their Country: John Seigel Boettner: 9780962570773: Amazon.com: Books

I just finished reading "Rumble Yell" by Brian David Bruns. He rode across Iowa with an old friend in RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa). It's an entertaining read.

Phil Gaumon Cycling on $10 a day was fun. Hi is a funny guy. George Hincappie's auto biography was a good read on the life of a top pro.

"A Dog in a Hat" - Joe Parkin's account of being one of the few Americans racing professionally in Europe in the 80s.

Wow, I did not know about biking books. I have seen videos only.