How would you spend a book token?

[Cathryn]

My grandma presented me with about £20 of book tokens for my recent birthday. In the absence of DOING any cycling, I'd like to do some READING about it. The baby can't stop me READING, can he?

So what would you recommend? I'd like to learn a bit more about the T de F in preparation for July. I'm currently reading Cav's autobiography and learning loads. What else should I be reading?

 

[4F]

You could try this one in preperation

http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Toddler-Taming-Parents-Guide/dp/0091875285

 

[Arch]

French Revolutions by Tim Moore. Not only about the TdF, sort of, but hilarious too.

(as someone with very little interest in cycle sport, it's probably the only book about the TdF I'd read...)

 

[ComedyPilot]

What else should I be reading?

Anything by Josie Dew or Alastair Humphreys

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

This is quite a good read if you are interested in the science/physics of cycling (as I am) http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?tid=10063&ttype=2

 

[Cathryn]

See, I've read Al Humphreys, all the Josie Dews and LOVED French Revolutions. So what else?

 

[rich p]

Tommy Simpson's biog "Put Me Back on my Bike" is very good.

I'd avoid the Pantani one and the Indurain one personally.

 

[Baggy]

Matt Rendall's "Blazing Saddles" gives a good historical overview and is quite amusing...

 

[biggs682]

the obvious answer buy a book

 

[Crackle]

I'd second the Simpson book and third the, avoid the Pantani one, though as balance I ought to add that I wanted to reach inside French Revolutions and throttle Tim Moore. I've got this too. Quite nice, like an annual but a bit out of date now.

Edit: In Search of Robert Millar was good too.

 

[Hover Fly]

I'd buy a book, then ebay it and spend the proceeds on beer.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I found a lovely paperback in a charridy shop the other week called 'A Moustache, Poison and Blue Glasses' (great title!) tales of the Tour de France. It's a fine book full of myths and legends - good B/W pics too. Very nice for some TdF background info.

 

[dellzeqq]

I'd third the Simpson book. It's well written, and there's genuine investigative reporting. As far as I know the role played by Colin Lewis didn't see the light of day for 40 years

 

[Andy in Sig]

How about thinking a bit laterally: get some really good horror stories and frighten yourself. Then when your husband comes home in the evening and takes over kid duties you go out riding down lonely lanes on your own in the dark. You will be so frightened that you will go very quickly so as to get home as soon as possible thus maximising the training effect.

 

[Cathryn]

Thank you for all the helpful suggestions