Whats a good book to read?

[Tomba]

My daughter wants to buy me a book for my birthday and I suggested a book about cycling but dont have a clue.

I'd rather go for a good story/journey. I have read Paul Kimmages Rough Ride a while ago and liked that kind of story.

Only ones I can think of are Lance Armstrong, David Millar or Graham Obree (saw The Flying Scotsman though).

I'd appreciate any suggestions

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Greece on my Wheels by Edward Enfield?

 

[Fab Foodie]

This is great:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/French-Revolutions-Cycling-Tour-France/dp/0099433826

As is this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Escape-Arti...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314960520&sr=1-1

The latter I've read time and time again and it never fails.

 

[jugglingphil]

I haven't read many

French Revolutions - Tim Moore
very funny top recommendation

It's all about the bike - Robert Penn

Just started and enjoying
One man and his bike - Mike Carter

 

[twobiker]

Journey To The Center Of The Earth by Nick Crane and his cousin.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Without wishing to start an LA debate and no matter peoples views, Lance Armstrong's books are all a great read.

EVERY SECOND COUNTS

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE are two that stand out.

I also recently read 'We Were Young and Carefree: The Autobiography of Laurent Fignon' which was a good read too. I then passed it onto biggs682. He's now finished with it and is having a free draw this weekend for who to pass it too next, throw your hat in the ring to get it HERE

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Wide eyed and legless and Bad Blood are both good reads for TdF fans.

Downhill all the way by Ted Enfield, Harry's dad.

Racing through the Dark, David Millars book is not bad but you need to then read Bad Blood to get another perspective on the same events.

 

[Tomba]

Keep them coming

French Revolutions sounds right up my street.

Thanks guys.

 

[MsLDN]

French Revolutions was pretty funny, although it also annoyed me in places.

The only others I've read and can remember are Jose Dew The Wind in My Wheels, which I enjoyed and she's written zillions of others recording other long tours. And Anne Mustoe's A Bike Ride: 12,000 miles around the world. I liked the historical context she included and also the fact that she was such an unlikely long-distance cyclist, but imo she isn't the greatest writer - the book could have done with a good edit. Despite that it's still interesting for the journey and the history. She's also written others, but I haven't read them.

I don't read 'round the world' cycling books anymore, they make me want to pack everything in and take off!

Oh and recently I bought my boyfriend David Byrne's (him out of Talking Heads) The Bicycle Diaries which are a series of vignettes based on his cycling round cities while touring. He's reading it at the moment but has been kind of non-commital about how much he's enjoying it!

 

[Globalti]

Seconded The Escape Artist, it's a very personal account of growing cycling obession and gives a good insight into the lore of road racing, the unwritten rules and the etiquette as well as a good explanation of leg shaving. There's a shockingly tragic twist at the end, I wouldn't spoil it by telling you what happens but it's an excellent little book, quick to read.

 

[twobiker]

Josie Dew excellent choice , found one at a house we hired, very good writer.

 

[headcoat]

Thanks guys...I just spent about £10 on some books I didn't know I wanted until reading this

 

[sdr gb]

I've got these on my bookshelf

My linkhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/ROADIE-Misunderstood-World-Bike-Racer/dp/1934030171/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314964078&sr=1-10


My linkhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Hour-Michael-Hutchinson/dp/0224075209/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314964313&sr=1-1

 

[tyred]

Graeme Obree's autobiography? Despite having zero interest in the competitive side of cycling, I found this a very enjoyable and moving read.

 

[coffeejo]

French Revolutions was pretty funny, although it also annoyed me in places.

+1

There's also It's Not About The Tapas by Polly Evans which is in the same vein.