Customer Reviews (1)

Cycling Greats of the 1980's
A review of the great races from Milan-San-Remo to the Giro di Lomardia from the race photogragher's perspective. Terrific first hand narrative exceeded only by the classic photograghy of Graham Watson.Classic photos of the the big names of the 80s..Moser, Kelly, Delgado, Anderson, Bauer, Lemond, Hinault.Great insight coupled with exciting action photos from the heart of the peloton make this book a must have for the true 'tifosi' (fan).Well worth the effort to find this book. ... Read more

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Product Description
Ideal for today's young investigative reader, each A True Book includes lively sidebars, a glossary and index, plus a comprehensive "To Find Out More" section listing books, organizations, and Internet sites. A staple of library collections since the 1950s, the new A True Book series is the definitive nonfiction series for elementary school readers. ... Read more

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An exploration of marathon bicycling, including the history of the sport, profiles of famous riders, and beginners' tips on training, safety, gear, and types of events. ... Read more

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This guide to cycling offers tips for safety and enjoyment to cyclists of any age, with practical suggestions for the care of the bicycle and its owner. Also included is up-to-date advice on how to join the diverse community of cyclists, and an explanation of the three principles of Olympic cycling - roadracing, track racing and mountain bike racing. The book has other advice to offer, such as: choosing a suitable bike; which accessories to wear and what to take; bicycling for two, tandem cycling; and getting started in racing and competitive cycling. ... Read more

Product Description
See what it takes to maximize cycling power, speed, and endurance! Cycling Anatomy will show you how to improve your performance by increasing muscular strength and optimizing the efficiency of every movement.

Cycling Anatomy features 74 of the most effective cycling exercises, each with clear, step-by-step descriptions and full-color anatomical illustrations highlighting the primary muscles in action.

Cycling Anatomy goes beyond exercises by placing you on the bike and into the throes of competition. Illustrations of the active muscles involved in cornering, climbing, descending, and sprinting show you how the exercises are fundamentally linked to cycling performance. From steep inclines to slick terrains, Cycling Anatomy will ensure you're prepared for any challenge that comes your way.

You'll also learn how to modify exercises to target specific areas, reduce muscle tension, and minimize common cycling injuries. You'll also learn ways to pull it all together to develop a training based on your individual needs and goals.

Whether you're training for an upcoming century ride or just want to top that killer hill with strength to spare, Cycling Anatomy will ensure you get the most out of every ride. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Cycling Anatomy
Wanted to deal with some of the aches and pains of cycling. Specifically, I wanted to find out how to strengthen my neck and shoulders which were bothering me on long rides.This book was a great help.Showed me the muscle groups and gave strengthening exercises.

Excellent!
This book is excellent! I found it in my township library and after few days realized that I need my own copy. Though I am not a cyclist, exercises in this book are so good, that I use them regularly. I highly recommend it.

Terrific read with tons of exercises and examples
This book is a must read for any serious cyclist.Dr. Sovndahl covers a plethora of exercises and explains why they are beneficial.I appreciate the holistic approach that is taken to the book, and it really puts the reader in a good mind set before developing a training plan.

Great Book
Cycling Anatomy has been a great help in identifyig exercise to development the right muscle groups for cycling

Great book linking cycling skills to weight training
Easy to understand, this book provides a clear explanation of the muscles used in cycling and how (and why) you should train them. As the book states (and other reviews note) it doesn't provide a work out - you have to decide which exercises make sense for you based on gym resources available and the areas you want to work on. I carry it with me on every trip to the gym. ... Read more

Product Description
More than just a way to get around, bicycles provide great exercise and are used in many competitive sports. Don't know how to ride? Aren't sure what bike suits you best? Suitable for ages 6-9, this book gives children a colourful and engaging tour through the world of bikes. Informative text includes: the parts and basic maintenance of a bicycle; road safety and signals; different types of bicycles and the advantages of each; and competitive cycling. ... Read more

Product Description
In cycling, the changes the body undergoes while training is called the training effect. This book, written by a race physician and licensed United States Cycling Federation coach, shows cyclists how to achieve better results and speedier recovery times by causing physiological changes that maximize this effect. Through the use of scientifically proven methods, traditional workout routines are taken to a new level, helping readers reach more stringent training goals. Readers learn how to develop and follow a training plan tailored to their own unique physical needs, leading to greater endurance and enhanced all-around performance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Goes against traditional training orthodoxy...which is a good thing.
This book is sure to create quite a bit of discomfort for those emotionally wed to the traditional notions of bicycle training and fitness.Most cyclists are familiar with the traditional concepts of base building with long base miles followed by a build and a peak cycle with progressively harder interval efforts.This book turns a lot of that traditional orthodoxy on its head, and in the process is sure to generate some backlash (just read that K Mills rant above).

I read up on Ross.He's not some hack, but was the team doctor for the Jelly Belly professional team.Even more important, everything he discusses is cited and footnoted and based on current research by current sports med luminaries such as Veronique Billat, who is currently one of the most prolific and ground breaking scientists in the sports med field. And it's not as if the notion of High Intensity Training came out of left field.Dave Morris, another influential researcher and coach has been successful with the HIT approach for a long time.Ross and Billat simply add a new twist and a level of precision to techniques that have been proven to be successful for many athletes.

My criticism of the Ross book, and applying Billat or Larsen to training protocols for that matter, is that it applies what I feel is an unnecessary level of complexity and rigidity to interval training.For example, an athlete has to go through two maximal intensity ramp tests: one to determine their max power, and then another to determine their max time at max power. The interval durations are then set at exactly that max time with equal rest intervals.I tried this approach with one of my athletes and we got a TMax of 1:50.Why not just 2 minutes at maximum RPE for that time duration?It seems to me to be a distinction without a difference, as they both will target anaerobic capacity and VO2 max when used with 1:1 work/rest ratios. Just picking the arbitrary 2 min time duration just seems a lot simpler, and you don't need an ergometer to perform two elaborate and grueling step tests. It also eliminates a lot of creativity you can have with slightly different work durations and rest intervals.

Endurance training has its schools with its own gurus and acolytes, and is very cliquish in that sense. You'll have the Coggans and the Friels with their devotees who scoff at anything outside their sphere of devotion. Nevertheless, this is important reading for the serious coach or self-coached athlete who wants some insight into alternative and cutting edge training methods.

Excellent training book!
I've read quite a few books on training. This one lays it all out simply and in a concise and easy to use manner. If you're a cyclist interested in racing, BUY THIS BOOK!

a mixed review
I am an anesthesiologist and avid cyclist. In the past I've used more traditional training programs to prepare for the racing season with good success ( winning or placing in our state USCF road race championship as well as success in local races as a 40+ and now 56 yo masters and/or cat 4/5 racer). This year I've tried the training program outlined by Dr. Ross in his book and I would give it a mixed review. My results this year have been decent, but I can't say they've been better than in past years.
First the positives. The book is well referenced and thus gives the impression that the principles outlined are based on well designed peer reviewed studies and papers published in respected medical and physiology journals. The efficiency of a program based almost exclusively on interval training is appealing. It certainly takes less time over the course of a week and suits my limited race schedule (only 4-5 races in the year) and work schedule. The intervals are always hard, but that's how you improve.
Now the negatives.
First, the most obvious drawback is that most athletes like to train with other athletes for cameraderie and motivation, and Ross's program of 4 days of intervals followed by 3 days off isn't something you can easily talk your bicycling buddies into. So you're on your own which decreases the fun and the competitive push that comes from "beating the other guy to the sprint point". Ross does mix (and recommends) "racing" into the 4 days of training later in the year, and I interpreted this to mean I could substitute a "hard group training ride" to keep from going nuts with only intervals.
Second, Ross includes weight training prior to the race season but then makes no mention of it. Most training programs recommend continuing with a maintenance weight program during the season. I think with this book you have to "fill in the blanks" a bit and modify the plan with some common sense such as continuing some maintenance weight training.
Third, I just can't take three days off in a row without training. I get cranky and my legs ache and twitch. I have also found that on the first day back after three days off my performance is definitely subpar (although the next day can be superlative). Thus (again this goes against Ross's ideas) I at least spin, do some weights, or walk around the lake with my wife.
In summary, (based on my personal experience only) if you're going to follow the program I think you need to use some commonsense and modify the schedule to fit your needs. Some previous experience with training programs would be helpful. I'm not sure this book is a good choice for someone just beginning on the bike.

How does this stuff get published?
Okay, first of all, 90% of this book is just a rehash of Morris's better-written Performance Cycling.See my review of that for more specific criticisms than you're going to get below.

What seems to be happening here is that about every 2 years, some amateur coach looks at a few lab studies and cries "Eureka!High intensity training is more effective than low intensity training!"Then they write a book, which quickly goes out of print.

Ross basically wants to you to do a modified Conconi test to figure your Critical Power which he (and no one else) defines as the power you can sustain for somewhere between 50 seconds and two minutes, depending on who you are.Then he bases his whole philosophy on that rather arbitrary number.Essentially, you will have to do intervals at some percentage of that power output for 4 days in a row, then take 3 days off.

He seems to think that long endurance training reduces type1 fiber size and that this reduces your endurance.So in his world, training endurance makes your endurance worse.I think the actual theory is that the reduction in fiber size allows for more efficient oxygen diffusion, but why get bogged down in all that complexity?He also still seems to think that lactic acid causes muscle fatigue--an embarrassingly outdated notion.Of course, there is also no discussion of things like Intensity Factors and Training Stress Scores that have become so important with the advent of power meters.

The idea here is that coaches like Michele Ferrari and every pro endurance athlete on the planet are just wasting their time and that they'd be much better off reducing their total training volume to about 3-4 hours/week.Of course, neither he nor Morris seem to have ever actually coached a top athlete (for obvious reasons) so there is no real-world basis for this belief.

You should do a search on "Understanding Intervals Stephens" (I'd give you the U R L, but Amazon blanks them out) and read the article that comes up.While admittedly outdated and perhaps even a bit naive, it's probably a fundamentally correct explanation of why Ross/Morris are wrong.

If you really want to reach your potential, it's not going to be this easy.You're going to have to study Friel's book, buy a power meter with Cycling Peaks software, and put in a whole lot of time.I wish it weren't true, but if you're going to succeed in an endurance sport, you're gonna have to, well, work endurance...

Scientific Cycling
Do you know what happens to your body when you're cycling?Find out the science behind the sport and important tips to improve your endurance. ... Read more

Product Description
Remember when you were a kid and you got your first bicycle? After a few weeks of mastering the dynamics of balancing, steering, and pedaling, all at the same time hopefully, your father released his protective, steadying grip on the seat and you went wobbling off on your own. It was probably your very first taste of independence and freedom and you knew you liked that feeling very much. Few things in life have ever compared to that first solo ride.

Almost 40 years after my first solo bike ride, I was able to recapture the excitement and passion of that momentous occasion when I pedaled out of Anchorage, Alaska bound for Tierra del Fuego—the very tip of South America. No matter that it was 17,500 miles distant and would take 3 ? years to get there; I vowed I would achieve that goal if it took the rest of my life.

Customer Reviews (11)

Loved It!
I loved this book and would recommend it to both seasoned adventurers and "armchair travelers" alike!George captured my attention from beginning to end.I "showed up for life" with him page by page.His journey is a great example of what can happen if you are open, travel alone and do not have a firm plan. It may have been a low budget tour but meeting so many unique characters such as the alluring Josephine and the blind whistling Senor Guzman it seemed more like George traveled as a VIP!I felt sad when I reached the end of the book. At the same time I was filled with inspiration and motivation "hit the road".

I love this book!
How many people on this planet -in their middle age, no less- can ride a bike from Alaska to the tip of Tierra del Fuego, and then have enough energy left over to tell dozens of amazing stories gathered all along the way? This book was utterly delightful, and is told in a narrative fashion that makes you feel as though the writer is in the room with you sharing a cup of good coffee (or a cold glass of ale!) Mr. Hawkins is quite engaging, to say the least. Every single anecdote in this book is full of humor and keen observations. The reviewer who made some derogatory comments about spelling and grammar is just jealous. I found this book to be a breath of fresh air, and will appeal to both non-bicyclists and long distance bikers alike. Buy it, read it, and enjoy!

OUTSTANDING
in reading george hawkins book, a bicycle journey to the bottom of the americas. i found it very deep and rivitting. it was a good account of his incredable bicycle trip in the americas. his style of wrieing is very down to earth, and easy to relate to. i especialy liked his discription of his trip to machu picchu, i could almost feel the spiritulness and tranquility of one of the most beautiful places in the world. i have suggested it as a must read to all my friends.

Great Book!!!
I thought this book was amazing! I origionally started reading it for the section on Peru because I'm going there this winter, but once I started reading, I realized I had to start from the beginning because I was getting so into it. I thought George's adventures were funny, informative, and just plain fun! I gained a lot of knowledge that I will take with me on my trip that I don't think I could have gotten from any old travel book. I'm really glad I got the opportunity to read this book...you don't have to be a cyclist to find it interesting! I reccomend it to anyone interested in traveling!

A Courageous Adventure, Inspiring!
Being a true account, this book is an "I can't put it down" exciting adventure! A bicycle tour from Anchorage, Alaska to the tip of South America. The people Mr. Hawkins meets, has dinner with, stays with, all portray the human experience in each country. Greatly varyied are the geography and weather. Mr. Hawkins includes photos and descriptions of the personal challenges of surviving through mountains, rain, freezing cold, theft, and more. His writing made it easy to picture and feel the struggles and the joys. A great read! ... Read more

Product Description
This durable training journal from the editors of Bicycling magazine is both practical to use and inspiring to look at. Two hundred full-color photographs complement weekly spreads for tracking important training data such as distance, time, weather, pace, and mood. Throughout the journal, you'll find helpful tips on effective training, fitness, racing strategy, gear, and nutrition, as well as quotes to inspire you whether you are hitting the pavement behind a pace line or simply taking a leisurely Sunday ride. lOffers a full 52 weeks of entries lHeavyweight smear-proof paper stands up to heavy inks, sweaty hands, and toting in your gym bag lWeek-at-a-glance lets you summarize your weekly training quickly and easily lTop-notch tips from the experts at Bicycling make you a better athlete lThe only journal with full-color photos throughout lHandy spiral binding guarantees ease of use ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Bicycle Training Journal
The product arrived in a timely manner and as described.I would do business with again.

Blah
Not much to offer.Confusing journal pages.Could have done that myself with a notebook.

Interesting, but other ways to do the same thing
This is like a day planner, except its use is limited to recording information about your daily rides, but one could also do that on a customized computer spreadsheet, and it would give you running mileage totals.It contains some interesting tips, but you could probably find most of those elsewhere.There are quotes on bicycling.Consider "Bicycling Magazine's 1,000 All-Time Best Tips" by Ben Hewitt. ... Read more

Product Description
There is no other country in the world quite like Switzerland, and travel by bicycle gives you all the benefits of a slower pace of travel, together with the ability to see more of the country and its natural wonders. About 5000km of cycle routes are described in Switzerland, with sections in neighboring Austria, Germany and Italy. These range from gentle routes along rivers and lakesides to thigh-busting climbs over passes.

The routes are mainly on superbly well-signposted dedicated cycle tracks and quiet roads, and can be linked to form tours of up to several weeks. The guide also includes information on Swiss traffic laws, equipment including bicycles, economical accommodation, travel to and within Switzerland, what to eat and drink whilst there, and short snippets of information useful to the touring cyclist that cannot easily be found elsewhere.

This book is aimed not only at the pass-bagger, but also offers less exacting routes for the not-so-fit. ... Read more

Product Description
Whether you're a novice rider or a championship racer, Bicycling Medicine shows you how to prevent and treat all kinds of bicycling-related aches and pains. Coach Arnie Baker, M.D., explains how to diagnose minor and major problems, offers do-it-yourself solutions, and alerts you to conditions that require a doctor's attention. A special section on bicycling physiology illuminates the demands cycling puts on your body, and thorough discussions of diet, exercise, and nutrition reveal the best ways to keep your performance at its peak. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

A little out dated
It is a good book and helpful but you have to keep in mind it was writen about the time the first power meter came out so it has been a while. There are newer books with more up todate information. I'll keep it on my book shelf but won't use it much.

Excellent!
Great book!
May not be the best in the field, but it covers all the bases. Provides great insight from the author and is a good foundation for expanding in the sports medicine field!

enthusiast123
A nice book.Easy to read and well-laid out.Not much to say about impotency controversy but virtually every basic cyling issue is otherwise covered.It helped me figure out my knee pain which I appreciated!

Outdated Bicycling Medicine
The author makes statements that are no longer valid, current, or that are flatly inaccurate.One diagram stated that muscles attach to bones by a ligament. This is not true.Muscles originate and insert into bones via a tendon, with some tendons longer or shorter than others, and with muscle/tendon transitions having different anatomies.This is important in understanding injuries and how to treat them.Arnie also opens up the topic of nutrition with the USDA Food Pyramid, another problematic scheme, since we now know that a high percentage carbs diet of breads, cereals and pastas is a source of stripped-down carbs, not good quality carbs.The medical advice for treatment of painful conditions is outdated.NSAID medicines are now known to have deleterious effects on our bodies.Current research suggests that NSAIDS interfere with the healing of tendons.And, especially for neck and back pain, chiropractic should be the first choice, since it has been demonstrated in several studies over the years to be safe and effective.Lance Armstrong couldn't have performed well without his chiropractor...
The author seemed to have a boiler-plate approach to presenting information.Hopefully his next edition will be more current and clinically accurate.

A No-Nonsense Approach
Anyone who rides can benefit from the great information and tips found in this book.You'll also learn about common bicycling injuries. ... Read more

Product Description
An entertaining book that explains what makes cyclists tick and why cycling inspires such passion ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

But not a beautiful book
Most segments of this awkward jumble of road trips and personal history involve Mr. Fife riding with friends.The only aim of most of these stories seems to be for the reader to discover that the author is the hardiest, wisest, and speediest of cyclists. For me there were also many other off-putting moments as Mr. Fife shares his opinions.

an exceedingly odd book
Fife set out to write a book discussing his lifelong love of bicycles, but the result reads as though it were an autobiography in which the chapters not involving bikes were simply cut out. A girlfriend with whom he rode gets a chapter. The woman to whom he was married from 1980 to 1987 is mentioned only twice; apparently she didn't ride. The daughter they had together is discussed in the context of some riding vacations she took with her father when she was young, but then is never mentioned again.

Fife comes across as insecure, trying to prove his bona fides and his intellect to the reader. Extended digressions seem to serve no purpose except to allow Fife to tell us that he can speak some foreign languages and quote various classic texts.

Some great cyclists make appearances, but Fife is fringe character in the world of professional riding, and knows only a few champions. His efforts to write a chapter about his ties to Lance Armstrong, a man he has never met, were frankly sad.

The book is not entirely pointless; I enjoyed the chapter about his visit to Mali. Otherwise, it's a bizarre collection of anecdotes and braggadocio. ... Read more

Product Description
Going the Distance is the compelling saga of George Thomas' quest to prove himself physically and emotionally after a car accident left him with life-threatening epileptic seizures. The story is told vividly through Thomas' eyes as he pedals 2,911 miles in the bicycle Race Across America. As he battles stifling temperatures, grueling climbs, relentless headwinds, heavy rains, tedium and hallucinations from sleep deprivation, Thomas is repeatedly reminded of the even greater obstacles he once had to overcome simply to ride a bicycle again. Ultimately, Thomas discovers his journey is more than an individual accomplishment; it's a platform to inspire others. Going the Distance examines his extraordinary evolution from an ordinary man with an ordinary name to an accomplished ultra-athlete. George Thomas' story is both intriguing and inspiring -- a shining example of courage in the face of enormous odds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Try your hardest and you'll do your best.
In writing, "Going the Distance," George Thomas and Jeff Welsch made a significant contribution to both the cycling community and the interested public.

I gained an understanding of ultra marathon cycling and the Race Across America when I was invited to crew for a solo rider in 2000.Ever since then, I have told the story countless times, trying to express to people outside of the Ultra Cycling Community exactly what the race is about.But my descriptions are usually insufficient.

So far, this is the only writing I have found able to clearly express the aspects of the sport and race that confound most people with disbelief.

For those not interested in cycling, it is still a great book to read.The "plot" is cycling, but the story is much, much more.

Through his struggles, George Thomas has proven that the only thing more limiting to man than the laws of nature is his own psychology.George has made the impossible possible, he has transformed himself from limited to limitless, and the authors tell his story in such a way to make readers realize that accomplishment, no matter what kind, is always within reach, as long as you're willing to stretch and believe.

Long distance, short read
A great fast read! I couldn't put it down. The story draws you in immediately. George Thomas is a source of inspiration. Not only does his story impact those afflicted with epilepsy, it gives us regular folks reason to get off our couches.

This is a book that anyone can get into, athletic or not. It's about setting goals, gaining strength from within, and going for guts over glory. You'll want to get off your duff and not only cheer but participate.

Makes a great gift.

Painfully vivid and refreshingly candid
A sensitively told story of loss and growth.It definitely has a message.A superb story about the persistance of desire and the perils of commitment.I give it a 5 star rating.

Review - Going the Distance
I recently finished reading "The George Thomas Story: Going the Distance" by G. Thomas and J. Welsch.I feel, unequivocally, that this book merits a 5-star rating! The story entails the many moments of personal agony and anguish of a determined and courageous bicyclist by the name of George Thomas.The drama of this story, so eloquently and vividly expressed by the authors (Welsch and Thomas), took place during a 9 to 11 day, 2911 mile long bicycle race named the Race Across America (RAAM).This bicyle race, which started in Irvine CA and terminated in Savannah GA, is recognized by exercise physiologists as the most grueling athletic event in the world, far more strenuous then, e.g., the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon and requiring considerably more exertion then, e.g., the Tour de France.To add substantially to this incredible story is the recognition that George Thomas suffers from a relatively common but seriously debilitating disease known as epilepsy!The Forward of this book is written by renown Harvard Medical School neurologist and epilepsy expert Steven Schachter, M.D. who states...."At least once in a lifetime, you may be fortunate enough to meet someone truly inspirational, someone whose influence becomes a change in your life. I know this to be true, because I have met and been inspired by George Thomas." I would be remiss to share with you, in advance of your reading this book, the ultimate success/failures of George Thomas in this incredibly arduous solist bicycle race.I will say, however, that this is a book that I could not "set down", a book whose drama will remain in my memory forever.In essence, I enthusiastically and whole-heartedly recommend this superb and riveting book to you.

A Bicyclist in Michigan ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: New Amsterdam book company in 1899 in 141 pages; Subjects: Cycling; Sports & Recreation / Cycling; ... Read more

Product Description
West Virginia is the fastest growing mountain bikeregion in the country.Mountain Biking in West Virginia will make iteasier and more fun for riders to tame the trails and mountains of theMountain State. The book covers trails from seventeen parts of thestate, for all levels of riders.These regions include well-knownareas such as Davis, home of the 24 Hours of Canaan Bike Race and theSnowshoe Resort Area.Each ride has detailed information and maps,elevations, and mileage.Each ride is also rated according to thedegree of difficulty and interesting scenery.In addition to trailsand maps, the book contains information on mountain bike racing, bikeshops, bike organizations, and camping and lodging throughout thestate.The author, Frank Hutchins, also gives tips on where to findthe best glimpses of West Virginia wildlife, a spring to cool off, ora great restaurant. ... Read more

Product Description
Intended both for experienced racing cyclists who want to improve their skills and technique, and for recreational riders who want to cycle for fitness or get into racing, this book features a 12-week programme for stationary training. There is also advice on topics such as choosing a bike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Awesome Workout Programs for Stationary Bike Trainers.
The stationary bike training programs in this book are incredible.
There is a 12 week program as well as various technical workouts that focus on different aspects of training: aerobic, speed, acceleration, strength, and time trials to name a few.
I've used the 12 week program to train for a couple of triathlons.The tips on racing and bike fitment have been useful for me as well.
I have appreciated the content of this book enough that I have given it to other cyclist, so that at this point I have actually purchased this book three times.
I have trouble imagining anyone using a stationary bike trainer without the advantage of having this book.

Good overall road bike training book
Like the book. It explains alot of helpful things to the cyclist. I especially like the cheap way to lighten your bike!It also comes with a set of trainer riding programs to get you ready for next season.It explains aerobic and anaerobic training and the difference there is.Also, that you should get a good heart rate monitor and cadence meter for the training programs.I am using these programs this winter and look forward to the benefits.I recommend the book.

A must for those starting racing and for a stationary training guide
I am new to competitive cycling and have recently started cycling at Veteran level.

I am a family doctor and an avid reader of cycling books and I feel this is one of the best.

The sections of the book do not flow that well and give the impression that the book is probably cobbled together from a selection of the author's other writings: Getting started, training, Stationary training, Racing, Cycling in your head. Don't let that put you off however, this is a good read packed with factual non-faddish and very practical advice in a easily read format.

A lot of room in this book is given for use of a stationary trainer, which may not be for everyone, but if this is what you seek, it's the best stationary trainer resource I've yet found. Worth buying for this section alone. Racing tactics and approach, especially 'cycling in your head' are all very helpful and put together concepts and ideas that aren't found anywhere else. I read this first 18 months ago, and have read plenty since, but I find I remember the sayings of this author more frequently in my training and racing, more so than any other book i've read. The author is prolific in cycling literature but has more recently been releasing ebooks which are available through his website - to my mind less accessible than a 'real' book that you can get from a library or buy and pass on. No doubt he has some more outstanding works in pdf, but I havenn't ventured there. This book is a great resource, I keep going back to it and find it more helpful as I gain more racing experience, for these reasons, 5 stars from me.

A cycling coach
This is a great book, covers all the needs a cyclist is going to run into as he/she moves to proficiency.There are many of the training drills and ways to improve speed that are discussed and promoted.The adjustment of the bike is always a little formidable but Baker gives enough information where someone with a little mechanical ability can take care of a lot of his own needs.

Nice job Arnie Baker.

After reading Bicycling Medicine by the same author, I can't help but be disappointed and a bit confused.
P.S. After thinking about this book some more following the review, I realize that its big problem is that it's unfortunately titled.This is not a book about "smart" cycling.

I've met plenty of chronically novice riders who had quite a lot to teach me about smart cycling, and none of that information is contained here.This book, I'd argue, should be retitled to save it from the flamingly bad reviews, and here I suggest "Performance Cycling," because that's what the book is actually about--maximizing your performance, energy output, results, etc . . . .

This is not a book for the non-competitor.

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No. 1 thing I want to say: Arnie Baker's other book, Bicycling Medicine, is a great book that anyone who rides--even novice, fair weather, just-for-fun riders--should have; Bicycling Medicine is essential for anyone who ever felt uncomfortable or suffered some kind of pain as a result of riding; Smart Cycling however is no such must-read.That's why I'm so increadibly disappointed, and a bit glad that I didn't read this book before the other since I would have dropped the author altogether.

Arnie-baby, what the hell happened?This is atrocious.This is the pasta weighing, single digit gram fretting, Armstrong-wannabe, weenie cycling guide of the age.I thought we were friends, that you were for the common cyclist out to do a century or three a year.Oh well, at least you have that other book to fall back on.

This book gives the impression that cycling is a highly technical sport which requires all sorts of gizmos and careful monitoring of your performance level.

Fooey!

If you're not a competitive cyclist, determined to win races, you don't need to be doing the kind of self-analysis and monitoring of performance you read about in this book.And that's coming from someone who rides thousands of miles a year, non-racing.

Bottom Line: Follow this book's advice and you'll be completely disenchanted with cycling in no time, which is horribly odd since Arnie Baker MD, champion cyclist and all around good joe also wrote what I consider the essential cycling book of all time--Bicycling Medicine! ... Read more