I just finished reading "A Dog in a Hat: An American Bike Racer's Story of Mud, Drugs, Blood, Betrayal, and Beauty in Belgium" by Joe Parkin. Good friend SDC gave me this book a while back and I'd been saving it for winter reading. If you race bikes, wonder what it's like, or wanna spend some vicarious time in Belgium while staying comfy by the fire, you'll enjoy this book.
The subtitle really says it all. Unlike classics like "The Rider," Parkin's account reads more like what you'd hear sitting around the bike shop listening to the local hero. Except this hero isn't local, and his experience is unlike anything you've heard before. The story of Belgian bike racing is much more than Paris-Roubaix or any of the other spring classics. It's workaday, gritty, and there's very little glamour.
But there are drugs. Parkin gets to page 13 before he gets to them, but they're there. Sadly and inevitably.
But not surprisingly. What surprised me most - though it probably shouldn't have - was how much of a grind pro bike racing can be. If you're not on a well-known (and well-funded) team, you're relegated to an endless cycle (if you'll pardon the pun) of kermises and small stage races. You discover very quickly that you race because you love to ride your bike fast and see what your body is capable of. You don't do it to get rich or famous.
Like the real thing, if you read this book, you won't get soaring platitudes or much to inspire or motivate you. But you will get a very realistic, up close and personal diary of an American bike racer in Europe. If you're like me, you'll figure that that's as close to pro racing as you need to get.
Thanks, SoC, I always appreciate your book reviews. I've been meaning to order this through the library, so this is a good reminder!
Posted by: Velosopher | January 20, 2009 at 08:30 AM
Glad you enjoy them! I used to have little "thumbnail" reviews in the left column. Looked much snazzier with little book cover pics. But it was a lot of work. Now all the reviews are together and archived in the same area under "Recent Reads" Hope you find some others that you'll enjoy!
Posted by: SuitcaseOfCourage | January 20, 2009 at 03:00 PM
I've been meaning to pick up A Dog In A Hat (and The Rider, too!) for a little while, but I've got limited funds and keep waiting to bump into a buddy of mine who can loan it. It gets positive reviews everywhere.
Posted by: Matty | January 21, 2009 at 09:24 AM
When you can get to reading them, be sure to let me know what you think!
Posted by: suitcaseofcourage | January 21, 2009 at 03:25 PM
Thanks for the review. I had just ordered the book after reading Joe's blog for a while and always enjoying it.
Posted by: YanielCantelar | April 03, 2010 at 07:19 PM