Book Review; Heft on Wheels

[maillotpois]

Yeah, I agree - I thought it was a very entertaining and fun read. Reminded me a little bit of someone I know.

[northstar]

Thanks for the review. I've seen this one on the bookshelves a few times but never got around to reading it. Perhaps soon!

[PscyclePath]

I first read Magnuson's article on "how to lose 70 pounds... the hard way" in Bicycling magazine back in the summer of '02, shortly after I got serious about cycling. Since then, he's done several other articles about his biking adventures in various places, some of which are expanded on in Heft on Wheels.

Magnuson teaches creative writing at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, and uses his writing as a form of catharsis in changing and evolving in his new, fitness-oriented lifestyle. Therefore, Heft on Wheels is just as much about obsessive/compulsive behavior as it is about using cycling to create a healthier human. It didn't hurt that I'm a bit of a clydesdale myself, but it was a bit inspiring to see what this guy was able to muster the mental discipline to do. And I especially enjoyed his description of the cycling community in Carbondale. Favorite character would have to be Saki, the local bike shop operator, and his little philosophies... "Ride within yourself, and you'll always finish with the pack," and his mantra, "Ride together."

I liked the book immensely, and re-read it from time to time. Based on its viewpoint, it's probably much more appealing to guys, but the ladies can get a lot of good from it as well.

Tom

[Starfish]

Based on its viewpoint, it's probably much more appealing to guys

I don't understand this kind of generalized stereotyping, or why it needed to pop up in this discussion.

My .02 about the book is that it was really good. Magnuson has a sharp sense of humor, and writes in a way that I find extremely appealing. The book is often funny, often poignant, and often inspiring. Almost everyone I've talked to who have read it, men and women, cyclists and noncyclists, have really enjoyed it. It is one I come back to from time to time.

[Zen]

"the ladies" have a wide variety of tastes.

[indigoiis]

No but wait.
I did note that he rarely, if ever, with few exceptions, mentions women who also participated on his group and organized rides. It was always "I passed this guy" or "this guy passed me." I think as I recall the only women who make appearances in his book are early on: the woman with the big car... later on: the woman in the spin class, and his wife, or "guys wives or girlfriends standing around holding water bottles" at the beginning of the bridge to bridge ride.

It's a guy book.
It's written in a guy-friendly way.
A lot of the issues - particularly the way men gain and lose weight, are guy specific, because he is a guy.
Nothing wrong with that. But it's definitely noticeable. At least to me.

[mimitabby]

valid point Indigo; something we come across a lot. That's why I'm so looking forward to the book I just ordered from Amazon.ca,

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