Favorite bicycle books

[wabisabi]

I don't necessarily mean books about technique, nutrition, etc., but more in the realm of favorite books about the love of cycling. More to fill a need for some summer reading instead of the dissertation reading that I should be doing! I'll start. I have been reading one called "Bicycle love: stories of passion, joy and sweat" Great stories about love for bicycles and cycling, some I can definitely relate to, some totally alien to me.

[Veronica]

I really enjoyed the two books I read by Joe Karamaske about his various travels by bike - Metal Cowboy and Riding Outside the Lines.

V.

[Biking Chick]

I really enjoyed the two books I read by Joe Karamaske about his various travels by bike - Metal Cowboy and Riding Outside the Lines.

V.


I agree with Veronica - Joe Karamaske's books are a great read. DH read Riding Outside the Lines on a cross country flight and was literally laughing outloud. I'd glance over at the page he was on and ask, "All girl bagpipe band?" and he'd nod trying to stifle his laughter.

Joe's books remind me of James Herriot's - you can easily read a chapter and put it down and not have to worry when you pick it up again who is who. All tho I had trouble putting them down and read them in the course of a couple of evenings.

Enjoy!

[spazzdog]

I have several listed on my site on the "library" page... check them out.

spazz

[profàvélo]

French Revolutions, Tim Moore (Random 2001)

I think anyone who enjoys cycling would find this book funny--LOL kind of funny at some points. It's even funnier if you are a franocphile. It's non-fiction. Tim Moore, who is English, sets out to ride the course of that year's Tour de France before it is ridden by the real guys. He does this with about 4 days of training. I thought it was hilarious. :D

[alison_in_oh]

Two books I've heard rave reviews for lately are "The Race" by Dave Shields and "The Rider" by Tim Krabbe.

[spazzdog]

Both are really good! I read them over the winter.

spazz

[Deanna]

I enjoy the bike travelogues--they are not always about the love of cycling, but they do give you an idea of how much more of your surroundings you experience on the bike. If that sounds interesting to you, try Catfish and Mandala: A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam by Andrew X. Pham.

[wabisabi]

What terrific suggestions, everyone!

[Irulan]

The Immortal Class
a memoir of a season as a bike messenger

[Asphaltgirl]

the Memory of Running by Ron Mclarty.

A wonderful story about a man facing major issues in his life. He gets on his very old, trusty bike just to take a ride and ..............


Barb

[Surlygirl]

I loved "Miles from Nowhere" by Barbara Savage and "Hey mom I can ride my bike across America" by John S Bottener. These are great books and very inspirational.

[CorsairMac]

Loved "The Race" as someone here mentioned and I also read "American Flyers" long before it was made into a movie. Unfortunately I didn't steal that one from the ex when I moved out so I'll to find it again, not a clue who the author is but I remember the book was great.

Thanks Irulan, I was trying the remember that name of "The Immortal Class" the other day when I was at Borders!

[Ered_Lithui]

I've been enjoying Dave Glowacz's "Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips". The title's pretty self-explanatory, and the book has some good pointers, but I like it above all for the humor and attitude. : P

[snowtulip]

Loved Karamaske's books, love Miles from Nowhere, my favorite is Catfish and Mandala: A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam.

I've also just read South of Limpopo by Dervla Murphy (more a political travelogue done on a bike, South Africa).

Anne Mustoe has a few books, just started reading one.

Happy Reading!

[spazzdog]

I just ordered "Metal Cowboy", "The Immortal Class" and "Cobblestone Dreams". Can't wait to read them.

Thanks for the recommendations everyone :D

spazz

[Ered_Lithui]

snowtulip -- rock on! Dervla Murphy is one of my favorite travel writers of all time. Have you read "Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle"?

[snowtulip]

I was actually on line last night deciding which Dervla Murphy book to try next, I couldn't decide so I didn't order anything (almost bought the Andes one). But now I'll go back and order Full Tilt: Ireland to India on a bicycle. Thanks for mentioning that title!

[shewhobikes]

Thanks for the great recommendations. Try Heft on Wheels by Mike Magnuson. About a really heavy guy who gets in shape by riding.