Book Review: "The Non-cyclists Guide to the Century and other Road Races"

[TrekTheKaty]

I'm a book nerd. When I started running, I bought tons of books on training. When I started doing SLOW marathons, I bought even more books. When I switched to cycling, I went to buy some books--I think I have all 10 that had been written at the time (2 on training for races, and 8 touring travel narratives). I'm happy to report that the popularity in cycling is resulting in more cycling books.

This is actually the book I began outlining on my computer. Of course, someone beat me to it. This book is funny, approachable and simple. I read it in one day. The schedule is pretty close to what I had planned for the summer, but I'll switch over to this. Some highlights:

Our forum is listed on page 10!
Two rides in the St. Louis area are listed: Midnight Ramble and Tour de Donut (35 mile ride, subtract 5 minutes for every donut you eat).
"...getting out of the cycle shop without buying three hundred accessories is actually the first endurance test of your training schedule. You might even want to carb up for it..."
A review of hand signals including, "left turn, right turn, my a$# hurts, I want a pizza this big, I need a nap."

It's gets a little repetitive towards the end, and could have used some more editing--but I laughed out loud A LOT!

[Tri Girl]

I'm a card carrying book nerd, too. I LOVE to read anything about cycling. I will have to check this book out. Thanks for the rec!

[Miranda]

Thx pretty funny about getting outta the lbs under a certain $ limit. Well, in ways. A shop peep told me this when I was just in the 'thinking' stages for bike shopping in over 20yrs etc. Then... OMG! Talk about shock... the guy was SO right! Gheez.

I have several cycling books in my book stack by my bed. lol Actually just read about another cycling book to buy in this month's version of Bicycling mag. Guess I will add this one you have posted about on the list too.

[jobob]

Sounds like a good book.

I just wish there wasn't this tendency to call century rides "races".

[bluejellybean]

Thanks for posting this, I'll have to check that one out too! *nerd waves hand in the air*

[shootingstar]

When I switched to cycling, I went to buy some books--I think I have all 10 that had been written at the time (2 on training for races, and 8 touring travel narratives). I'm happy to report that the popularity in cycling is resulting in more cycling books.

Cunninghamair what do you have for the 8 titles on touring travel narratives? I have a bunch, but might take me time to rummage among the shelves (bks. by J. Dew, D. Murphy, A. Mustoe plus a couple by some guys. I even have a cycling themed cookbook with French cuisine recipes.)

[TrekTheKaty]

Momentum or anything by Joe Kurmaskie. Miles from Nowhere by Savage. The Road That has no End by Travis. Off the Map by Jenkins. Free Wheelin by Lovett. Bicycle Journey to the Bottom of The America by Hawkins. You can't ride a bike to Alaska--it's an island by Thomas.

(OK--that's seven. Hubby has a bad habit of loaning books out.)

[Zen]

anything by Joe Kurmaskie.

+1 to Joe K.