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A combined autobiography of Malcolm Elliot, one of the most popular and successful figures in British cycling, and a behind the scenes study of the world of the professional cyclist. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent read!
A very enjoyable and well written book about a 19th century cyclo-journalist riding across the continent.The journey was a harbinger of events such as Race Across America.The book is extraordinarily well written by a professor of English and captures the sense of adventure Mr. Nellis must have had to launch such an undertaking.Highly recommended for cyclists, fans of travel writing, and those with an interest in American history. ... Read more

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It used to be said that a cycling specialist cannot win an Ironman - until Normann Stadler proved otherwise in the 2004 Hawaii Ironman. But even if winning an Ironman is not your primary goal, cycling remains a crucial part in every triathlon. This book was designed to meet the special demands of a triathlete in order to integrate the cycling in his overall training. Efficient training demands a clear insight in the right set-up of the training within a general triathlon training plan, the right training intensity, and the constant interplay of effort and relaxation. "Cycling for Triathletes" sheds light on the most important aspects of cycling training for triathletes, especially from a practical point of view. Paul Van Den Bosch deals with all training components of cycling training in a sound and, yet very understandable way. All the aspects of a triathlete's cycling training, like training forms, training with the heart rate monitor, or cycling technique, are fully illustrated with examples of training schedules. Every triathlete can adapt these schedules to his own needs.Questions about overtraining are also answered, and special attention is given to the nutrition of the cyclist. Also dealt with are, of course, the transitions before and after cycling, as well as the best training for climbing, strength training on the bike, non-drafting races and races where drafting is allowed. It is the latest title in the official "Ironman" books. ... Read more

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“You’ll never make it!”

With encouragement like that, author Mickey Thomas, in a fit of youthful testosterone, and meticulous inattention to detail, decided to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime 3,400 mile bicycle ride from Montana to Alaska.

While riding through knee problems, illness, homesickness, infatuation, bad weather, and meeting a host of quirky and hilarious characters, Mickey, and his group, rides over some of roughest roads and most desolate scenery in North America. Along the way, he discovers an inner strength as well as a new physical stamina he never had.

Customer Reviews (8)

Hiking to Biking
I have read many many books about hiking the Appalachian Trail or walking the coast oracross America.I have never read a biking journey.It was very entertaining.Right off, the title of this book caught my eye.I loved the reason behind the choosing of the title . There are so many children that grow up not knowing exactly where Alaska is located.Many adults and children believe it is an island South of the California coast. How tragic is that!
Mickey Thomas brought me along with him on his ride, and I laughed at his many hillarious encounters and I also felt his pain.I enjoyed his account of meeting up with the wild animals on his journey North and I could relate to the story about camping in a tent beside a motor home that ran a generator all night. I , too have had that experience and when several of our fellow campers complained-it didn't make a bit of difference to the motor home dwellers.Having the map displayed at the beginning of the book helped me envision every segment of his ride and as I got closer to the end of the book and looked at the map and realized the destination was only a short distance and just a few pages away, I too did not want it to end.I wanted him to keep going.

Surprisingly engaging
I started this book with some trepidation and finished with a longing for the story to continue. Although there are some grammatical/typographical areas of concern, the story itself keeps the reader engaged and interested.I liked the gut-level humor and insight the author provided as well as the intermittent history of the areas he was riding through.The book stands on its own and will satisfy any reader looking for a tale outside of the formulaic pap spoonfed to him/her through the conventional publishing mainstream.

great bike touring book
I like reading bike touring books because, alas, there is more time to read about touring than there is to do it.I've read many books on the topic, some have good functional tips, some are poorly written but deeply felt by the author, many are dull.What Thomas conveys so well in this book is the mental fortitude it takes to do a long distance self contained trip.There isn't info on what kind of panniers to buy or what kind of gearing to use...but instead, what kind of emotional hardships are battled and how impactful this can be to your confidence, your pshyche, and the way you handle discomfort and facing the unknown.I don't want to make too big of a thing about it, as he didn't expressly dwell on any of these things so much as just leave you with the understanding of what a tough, adventurous, life changing trip can be like.I found it very inspirational!, and actually thought about it when riding fully loaded in 7 hours of rain in Montana this summer.
Although i'm a cyclist (and a once-a-year tourer) you would not have to ride a bike to enjoy this book.

and if you like it, you might also like "Once Upon a CHariot" by Iris Paris, the story of Norma Jean Belloff who established the US women's record for cross country bicycling in 1948.

Nice Account of an Exciting Trip
Having read many books about long-distance cycling trips (and written one myself), I'm a rather harsh critic of these tales. I've been burned after reading some that were little more than collected e-mails sent home during the trip. That said, I liked this story of a guy who, without much cycling experience, undertook the trip of a lifetime. It's not a book of eloquent prose, rather a very interesting account of small Canadian towns and the people he encountered. I enjoyed hearing about these remote places that I'll likely never see.

He took this trip with a group years ago, before such trips had really gotten popular. His first encounter with a newfangled thing called a "Mountain Bike" brought a nostalgic smile for those simpler times. He gets in some jams, details the hardships he faced, describes some pretty awesome scenery and enjoys his accomplishments. You can feel his excitement and pride as he nears the finish line in Anchorage.

No book is without its flaws, though. One of the most annoying is the way that words break when he puts photos on a page. Sor
t of li
ke thi
s. Har
d to read.
But that's a small quibble really.

Also, at first I felt like the book was a bait and switch, when the author was forced to hitchhike (and not bike) for many days due to leg pains. But in retrospect, his account of those non-riding days passed fairly quickly, and the rest of his riding days were interesting.

SO unless you're seeking the mellifluous prose of Blue Highways, it's hard to imagine you'll be disappointed in reading about the experiences of Thomas on this ride to Alaska.

[...]

Looking for a challenge?
I highly recommend this book for anyone who has thought of taking an adventure bike trip. ... Read more

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Mountain bikers, beginner to expert, all share a common need-a place to ride.Fat/Trax: Bozeman gives the fat tire enthusiast the skinny on where to ride.Here are 39 of the best rides around town, the Bridgers, Bangtails, Gallatin and Hyalite canyons, ranging from easy routes to smooth singletrack and bravado-busting boulder fields.The ride descriptions make it easy to find the trailheads and follow the routes-helping you stay on track with accurate distances keyed to detailed maps and ratings for physical and technical difficulty. This handy pocket sized guide will help you choose a ride that's appropriate for your fitness and skill level and will be an indispensable companion for all your Fat/Trax fun. ... Read more

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Cycling is all about liberation. Unfortunately, bicycles break down now and then. How To Rock And Roll was written for cyclists who don't shy away from the obvious. Inside it’s pages you will find everything from mechanics’ tricks to social commentary. All disguised as a book on bicycle repair.

How To Rock And Roll exposes the "secret" to real autonomy in transportation. Bicycles, unlike certain other smelly machines, will keep rolling on little more than a basic familiarity with hand tools. How To Rock And Roll, written by a working bicycle mechanic, covers everything you'll need to know to feed and care for your own swank little ride. It cuts through the obtuse techno-speak other such projects become burdened with, explaining things with clarity and a sense of humor. There's no reason we should stop enjoying ourselves when the ride is over-- given a little initiative and a good guide, regular bicycle mechanistry does not need to be a big deal. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

informative and fun
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, incredibly entertaining as far as repair manuals go. The descriptive, opinionated writing style had me reading about repairs I had no need to do currently.
High entertainment value-needs more pictures (maybe with an updated version?)

Bike Repair Manual
I would find it hard as to what style this book is in; I see a "punk" listmania come up when I try to find this book but though I be of humble knowledge, it seems it could also come close to "grunge" or even Robert Crumb "hippie" type of writing. It's unique style really places it one star of where it would be, if it were just a straightforward bicycle repair manual. Yet at a low cost and geared towards commuters, it is probably worth the price. Photos of bike repair with a beer or smoke are included. Also, some colorful language is to be found within its pages. The book is not comprehensive, that is its major setback. There are areas though, in which the author does demonstrate his knowledge and that is very helpful. I might not have been able to fix a bottom bracket with as much ease as I did in one case and he does convey his knowledge with the proverbial "laymen's terms." The writing style has some entertainment value and what's more, could probably be polished up for even a better book.

Excellent Read, Technically Savvy Repair Manual
Sam Tracy is a unique and refreshing voice in the repair-manual industry. This book is well-written and technically correct, but most importantly it is an excellent read. I think it is out of print, but Tracy should have a new book coming out in the summer. I would recommend it to anyone.

Mechanic tested, messenger approved
I am a bike messenger and I wish I'd had this book when I started the job. From fixing a flat to the most difficult repairs this book has it all. ... Read more

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For much of cycling's "Fabulous Fifties" it was Brian Robinson alone who flew the flag for Britain abroad - that is until three young men set out to emulate his success, starting from ground zero. This book tells the story of how, along with fellow Yorkshireman Vic Sutton and South Londoner John Andrew, the intrepid Tony Hewson set off to conquer the European racing scene, first off in an old, battered, converted ex-WD ambulance, then in an oil-leaking pre-war Wolseley with a caravan in tow. Variously mistaken for gypsies, terrorists, undertakers, even market traders, these were our original cash-starved, have-a-go pioneers, whose inspiration prompted Tom Simpson and succeeding generations of would-be stars to cross the Channel. It is an often hilarious sometimes sad but never bitter saga of daring-do that found the trio rubbing shoulders with Coppi, Anquetil, Van Looy and the other greats of the era. It tells of how Andrews won a place in the prestigious Mercier-BP trade team and of how Sutton conquered the headlines with a brilliant display of climbing in the mountaains of the 1959 Tour and its relates Hewson's own pickings of primes and placings in after-Tour criteriums.It also provides a wonderfully evocative insight into what life was like in France and Belgium back in that far-off era. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

BUYER BEWARE!!!!
We bought this book for a trip to Steamboat in July 2003.My wife is a beginning rider, so we picked a ride classified as "easy", and described as fire roads/dirt roads throughout.That may have been the case when this book was first written in 1993, but 10 years later, there were almost no signs, and about half the course had regressed to seriously overgrown single-track.It took three of us (two with substantial outdoor and hiking experience) 6 hours to finish what should have been a 2 hour ride, as we kept getting lost and having to back track.The authors say they revise this book: DON'T BELIEVE THEM. ... Read more

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The Compact Edition of the Waterfront Trail Map Book has been created to help you plan your own exploration of the Waterfront Trail along the Ontario shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, in a convenient travel size format. Whether you choose to spend an hour or a whole day on the Trail, your experience will inspire a deeper appreciation for the many natural and cultural riches you'll find along the way. More important it will deepen your commitment to the potential of the waterfront's regeneration. Inside the Waterfront Trail Map Book, you'll find over detailed 84 maps showing the Trail's route, on or off road sections, parking, washrooms, landmarks, trail connections, waterfront parks, wetlands, beaches, marsh and forests, vineyards, farmland, museums and shopping areas. We've also included several itineraries to get you started, whether you are walking, biking, or blading! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Waterfront Greenway Trail trip size
Perfect for carrying on trips.This folio sized book has all the maps and details and was updated in 2010.The maps are available for download, but why download and print all those maps when you can get them nicely packaged like this? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

It changed my life
Gutkind's motorcycling memoir dates from a time some 30 years ago when motorcycle touring was much more of a seat-of-the-pants kind of enterprise. There was no Gore-Tex, helmet technology was primitive, bikes were low-tech, the Interstate system was a work in progress and trash bags were a passable substitute for real rain gear. Gutkind chronicled his adventures on a BMW /5 series bike in such a glorious way as to trigger my first mid-life crisis and got me into motorcycling. I dug out my copy the other day and found myself grinning over a passage in which Gutkind captures the joy of riders chasing each other up and down the mountains and valleys of West Virgina.
Yes, it's dated material, but it's also guaranteed to make you want to go for a ride. This is a worthwhile addition to every motorcyclist's library. ... Read more

Product Description
Complete route description of the bicycle circumnavigation route (725 mi./1170 km.), on mainly rural roads, closest to Lake Erie.Includes: maps (~50mi./80km. segments); mi.xmi. & km.xkm. distance indicators both clockwise and counterclockwise; lodging listings (b&bs, cpgds.); attractions & information source listings; tour preparation chapter; equipment lists; & expense logs.The author has traveled these routes at least 4 times. ... Read more

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