Most interesting or fun bike books you have read
#1
Grupetto Bob
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 4,320
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1716 Post(s)
Liked 3,258 Times
in
1,834 Posts
Most interesting or fun bike books you have read
Thought I would follow-up on the best biking YouTube videos with the best cycling books you have read.
My fave so far: The Mid-life Cyclist by Phil Cavell
My fave so far: The Mid-life Cyclist by Phil Cavell
__________________
Road and Mountain 🚴🏾♂️
Happily mediocre at a low skill activity
Road and Mountain 🚴🏾♂️
Happily mediocre at a low skill activity
Last edited by rsbob; 02-01-23 at 10:58 PM. Reason: There are 2 Mid-Life Cyclist books, had to add author
Likes For rsbob:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,052
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6349 Post(s)
Liked 9,801 Times
in
4,220 Posts
The Rider by Tim Krabbe.
Likes For Koyote:
#3
Guest
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,888
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 3,267 Times
in
1,438 Posts
I thought Being Gary Fisher: An Autobiography was entertaining, although I'm not crazy about the magazine-style format.
Samuel Abt writes about cycling well. His 1985 book, Breakaway, is kind of a classic.
Samuel Abt writes about cycling well. His 1985 book, Breakaway, is kind of a classic.
Likes For Rolla:
#4
Sr Member on Sr bikes
Well, I recently read
Two Wheels Good -
The history and mystery of bicycle by Jody Rosen (5/24/2022). I’m always reading something, but this book I didn’t really find entertaining. I felt he focused too much on the utility tricycles in Bangladesh.
Dan
Two Wheels Good -
The history and mystery of bicycle by Jody Rosen (5/24/2022). I’m always reading something, but this book I didn’t really find entertaining. I felt he focused too much on the utility tricycles in Bangladesh.
Dan
Last edited by _ForceD_; 01-18-23 at 12:47 PM.
Likes For _ForceD_:
#5
Version 3.0
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 12,897
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 296 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1185 Post(s)
Liked 1,977 Times
in
1,155 Posts
Faster by Michael Hutchinson : The obsession, Science and Luck behind the World’s Fastest Cyclists
Likes For Hermes:
#6
Full Member
The Dancing Chain by Frank Berto. An exhaustive look at the development of the derailleur in particular and bikes in general. Very dense and informative. Illustrations are sublime.
Not a quick or easy read but worth it.
Mike
Not a quick or easy read but worth it.
Mike
#7
Full Member
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Eastern Shore MD
Posts: 259
Bikes: Trek ALR/Giant TCX/Sette CX1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 181 Post(s)
Liked 201 Times
in
106 Posts
Didn’t read the book, but watched the video series and plan to read the book.
2 Years on A bike.
Phenomenal journey, incredible story and images.
2 Years on A bike.
Phenomenal journey, incredible story and images.
Likes For Jughed:
#8
I’m a little Surly
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Southern Germany
Posts: 2,267
Bikes: Two Cross Checks and a Karate Monkey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 619 Post(s)
Liked 1,162 Times
in
587 Posts
The Ultimate Bicycle Owners Manual and Bike Snob by BSNYC were entertaining.
If you want the stretch the definition of book then Yehuda Moon
I like Just Ride by Grant Peterson, it wasn't make you smile entertaining but I liked it.
If you want the stretch the definition of book then Yehuda Moon
I like Just Ride by Grant Peterson, it wasn't make you smile entertaining but I liked it.
#9
Junior Member
I found this in the free library at work. I really enjoyed it. Guy does seem a bit crazy, but he did it.
https://smile.amazon.com/Mud-Sweat-G...ps%2C86&sr=8-1
https://smile.amazon.com/Mud-Sweat-G...ps%2C86&sr=8-1

#10
Newbie
I am reading Japanese Steel by William Bevington right now. I paid $36 for it and thought I would like it, but, happily, it turns out that like it a whole lot more than I thought I would. The book is full of outstanding photography by Scott Ryder and a lot more informative text than I expected.
#11
Junior Member
The Secret Race, by Tyler Hamilton.
It’s the inside story on how Lance and his team was able to get away with doping for so long.
It’s the inside story on how Lance and his team was able to get away with doping for so long.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Along the Rivers of Pittsburgh
Posts: 1,252
Bikes: 2011 Novara Forza Hybrid, 2005 Trek 820, 1989 Cannondale SR500 Black Lightning, 1975 Mundo Cycles Caloi Racer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 256 Post(s)
Liked 287 Times
in
154 Posts
Haven't read many biking books. I did read Just Ride by Grant Peterson and Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne. In the fall, I read Get Up and Ride by Jim Shea. It's about his ride on the Great Allegheny Passage with his brother-in-law. It was okay, probably more meaningful to someone from Pittsburgh, due to all of the locations mentioned.
#13
LR÷P=HR
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,840
Bikes: Holdsworth 1979 Special, C-dale 1993 MT3000 Tandem & 1996 F700CAD3, Cervelo 2022 R5 & 2018 R3, JustGo Runt, Ridley Oval, Kickr Bike 8-)
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 717 Post(s)
Liked 941 Times
in
547 Posts
Shimano 100 Works
Shimano 100 Works, the book is an easy read and the pics ain’t too bad!
Barry
Barry
#14
Junior Member
Just started Miles From Nowhere by Barbara Savage, a story of a 2 year worldwide bike tour they began as almost completer novices. Pretty fun, easy read and some good info if you're thinking about doing some touring.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: SE Wyoming
Posts: 525
Bikes: 1987 Diamondback Ascent, 1995 Specialized Rockhopper,1989 Specialized Rock Combo, 2013 Specialized Tarmac Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 182 Post(s)
Liked 487 Times
in
238 Posts
The Lost Cyclist by David V. Herlihy. Circa 1880s. Guy starts around the world on a safety and disappears.
Around the World on a Bicycle by Thomas Stevens. On a high wheeler. You have to accept or ignore his racist comments about the people he meets.
Around the World on a Bicycle by Thomas Stevens. On a high wheeler. You have to accept or ignore his racist comments about the people he meets.
Likes For Inusuit:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 3,825
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 686 Post(s)
Liked 1,141 Times
in
736 Posts
Not having read a good bike book with a decent plot and story I have to say the pickings are slim. Come on you'se guys... There's gotta be something out there...
__________________
No matter where your at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: SE Wyoming
Posts: 525
Bikes: 1987 Diamondback Ascent, 1995 Specialized Rockhopper,1989 Specialized Rock Combo, 2013 Specialized Tarmac Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 182 Post(s)
Liked 487 Times
in
238 Posts
I haven't read any of these because I don't read much fiction.
But here you go.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/20...cycling-novels
But here you go.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/20...cycling-novels
Likes For tak2:
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 5,339
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2711 Post(s)
Liked 2,950 Times
in
1,849 Posts
Icons by Brad Wiggins. I never realised how much he was into cycling history. It's a great read and not too heavy.
In Search of Robert Millar. I picked this up on Amazon Unlimited and didn't expect much. But it turned out to be a fascinating read.
In Search of Robert Millar. I picked this up on Amazon Unlimited and didn't expect much. But it turned out to be a fascinating read.
Last edited by PeteHski; 01-20-23 at 06:03 AM.
#21
Industry guy

For anyone who wants a great insight into the world of Raleigh bicycles.
#22
Guest
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,888
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 3,267 Times
in
1,438 Posts
The Masked Rider, by Neil Peart (late drummer of the band Rush) is a surprisingly good read about his bicycle travels in West Africa.

#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 4,859
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1393 Post(s)
Liked 909 Times
in
467 Posts
A few favourites.
Pro (World Tour) cycling:
Half Man, Half Bike: Life of Eddie Merckx. William Fotheringham
The Death of Marco Pantani. Matt Rendell
The Monuments. Peter Cossins
Bikes and stuff: It's All About The Bike. Robert Penn
Mtb -- British fellow rides the Divide: Eat, Sleep, Ride. Paul Howard
Pro (World Tour) cycling:
Half Man, Half Bike: Life of Eddie Merckx. William Fotheringham
The Death of Marco Pantani. Matt Rendell
The Monuments. Peter Cossins
Bikes and stuff: It's All About The Bike. Robert Penn
Mtb -- British fellow rides the Divide: Eat, Sleep, Ride. Paul Howard
Likes For badger1:
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: US
Posts: 712
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 374 Post(s)
Liked 125 Times
in
87 Posts
Good Anxiety: Harnessing the Power of the Most Misunderstood Emotion Hardcover – September 7, 2021
by Dr Wendy Suzuki (Author)
#25
Junior Member
Over the Hills: A Midlife Escape Across America by Bicycle
This is an excellent read
Likes For Irishred: