I’m at least as big a reader as I am a cyclist, and I love it when I find a good book that features my other hobby. Right now I’m reading a pretty great-so-far book called A Very Minor Prophet, which features some casual cyclists, some hardcore cyclists, and a bicycle gang of sorts. The book takes place in Portland, Oregon. It’s about much more than cycling, but I appreciate all the references because they’re getting me extra pumped up for RAGBRAI.
Does anyone else have favorite reads about cycling or simply featuring cyclist characters? I’d like to keep my inspiration to train rolling right up until the time comes for me to head to Iowa!
16 Replies
I enjoyed the movie Breaking Away and A Million Spokes. Both very great movies about bike riding and I believe A Million Spokes is a MUCH see for cycling fans…and it’s all about Ragbrai
I enjoy the movies Breaking Away and A Million Spokes. Both are great. A Million Spokes is ALL about Ragbrai and I believe a MUST see…
Absolutely Jackie,
The Immortal Class: Bike Messengers and the Cult of Human Power by Travis Hugh Culley, is a really good memoir about bike messengers in Chicago.
The Yellow Jersey by Ralph Hurne; a classic novel about big time racing up to the Tour de France by a continental pro and his team.
A Rough Ride by Paul Kimmage. A memoir of how Kimmage struggled and succeeded to become a neo-pro in the footsteps of fellow Irishman Stephen Roche, and the drugs and disillusionment in pro racing.
Tales from the Bike Shop by Maynard Hershon. Everything you need to gnow about cycling!
You can’t not mention the novels from Greg Moody. Deadroll, Two Wheels, Perfect Circles, Derailleur and Dead Air
.
Now you won’t have time to ride!
Cheers!
Corey
Try the movie: The Triplets of Belleville, for some fun.
French Revolutions by Tim Moore
Ten Points by Bill Strickland
Not a book but a great web site to read journals of cyclist who travel the world on their bikes.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com
I really liked “Michrider and the Sorcerer’s Stone”. I hear there are six more sequels coming out soon.
http://www.amazon.com/RAGBRAI-Everyone-Pronounces-Wrong-Book/dp/1587295385/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335962522&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/16-000-Suspects-Ragbrai-Mystery/dp/0966204123/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335962585&sr=1-1
wondered when someone would mention Karras’ book and 16.000. Another on “RAGBRAI: River to River” was put together by Register photographers (I think).
The Lost Cyclist by David Herlihy. A great read about about a couple of round the world cyclists at the turn of the 20th century when cycling really captured the attention of world before the advent of the automobile. The ultimate in self-supported bicycling touring.
Metal Cowboy; Mud, Sweat and Gears. He has two other books but this one was had me laughing out loud. You’ll especially enjoy it if you have kids, since he rode cross country towing his two kids (LITTLE KIDS) with him.
Joe Kurmaskie books on Amazon
– Metal Cowboy
– Riding Outside the Lines
– Momentum is Your Friend
– Mud, Sweat and Gears
– A Guide to Falling Down (Coming in June 2012)
He used to write a column in Bicycling Magazine. Each Chapter of the books are short stories of his real life adventures bicycle touring all over the world. Very entertaining and easy to read.
If I remember correctly, RAGBRAI: River to River was done by Karras’ wife????
Another friend suggested this one, but I haven’t read it yet….
http://www.amazon.com/Cycles-Death-Lee-Shearer/dp/1449059910
I see that Ten Bells has already been mentioned. That’s a story I’ll never forget.
In a completely different vein, Roadie by Jamie Smith is a favorite that made me laugh and I’ve just started The Rider by Tim Krabbe.
Guess the real title is “River to River, Year after year: RAGBRAI through the Lens of Register Photography” came out 10 years ago covers the first 29 years.