Jamie Smith: Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer
While aimed primarily at the bike racer's family & friends, this is a REALLY fun read for the "roadie" himself. The author uses liberal doses of humor to explain why we do what we do - and how odd it looks to "normal" people. The cartoon illustrations are spot on as well. (****)
Greg Moody: Two Wheels: A Cycling Murder Mystery
Slow pace during the first 1/3, too many cliches and well-worn character types almost derail this mystery, but stick to it and you'll be rewarded with a surprising amount of suspense and plot twists during the second half. A must read if you're a cyclists who's into mysteries - if only because the genre is so underpopulated. (***)
Dave Shields: The Tour
Great sequel to "The Race" but stands on its own. Particularly good account of how a clean racer can be sorely tempted to dope. Written before the 2006 Tour de France, it's still relevant and eerily prescient. Get it to help you understand some of what may be going on with all those TdeF riders. (****)
Kendra Wenzel: Bike Racing 101
If you buy and read just one book as a beginning racer - this is the one to get. With with whole sections on "Getting Ready to Race," training, skills and strategy, "Bike Racing 101" covers the waterfront.
For a full review of this and other racing books, click on "Bike Racing 101" under Categories in the right hand column of this site. (*****)
Eric Harr: Ride Fast: Get Up to Speed on Your Bike in 10 Weeks or Less
If you follow the plan in this book, you WILL get faster. Though I make no guarantees about the 25mph average, I know that following even a prepackaged plan is better than no plan at all. It's the next best thing to having a personal coach. (****)
William Fotheringham: Cycle Racing: How to Train, Race and Win
Covers all the basics of bike racing with a nice, general overview. What this book lacks in depth-of-detail, it certainly makes up in superb layout and stunning photos. It's a pleasure to read and refer to, and ideal if you want a quick read. (***)
Robert Hurst: The Art of Cycling: A Guide to Bicycling in 21st-Century America
Just finished reading this and really enjoyed it. Hurst takes what could be a dry topic (cycling in the city) and infuses it with a lot of philosophy and humor. Heavily footnoted, if you could get a PhD in cycling, this would be one of the primary texts. (*****)
Miriam Webster: The Age of the Bicycle
Short novel about a world where there's no cars and everybody travels by bike. If it had really played that out with all the implications, it would have been a better book. As it is, it has a little too much fantasy for my taste (water wizards, magic bicycles, and some strange parallel world where the genders are reversed). Decent read, but not at all what I expected. (**)
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Deep River, CT »
In this week's edition of WCW, scenes from my ride this morning (courtesy camphone). After working late last night, it was very tough getting up this morning, but the scenery made it all worthwhile.
Boat Launch - Essex, CT
Connecticut River at dawn
First Congregational Church - Essex, CT
Spring has FINALLY sprung here "where the river meets the sea." Hope you're able to get out and ride!
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Morning Ride:
Yeah, good luck with those flights... I'd get your tickets ahead of time if you can!
Posted by:Andrew | April 23, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing the pictures, it makes me believe that there's hope that spring might arrive out here one day ;-)
Posted by:Jim Smith II | April 25, 2008 at 12:28 PM