BOOKS
There are a plethora of great books on cycling for the reading cyclist, whether you're interested in how to, where to, advocacy or murder mystery. Got a favorite read in your cycling library? Why not share it with us and we'll add it to the list ... email the TBC webmaster.
If you'd like us to add "review" comments to any of these, send them to us and we'll post your remarks. Email TBC webmaster
NON FICTION
FICTION
Non Fiction
Travel Narratives
Travels with Willie is about finding adventure and facing fear, embarrassing blunders and language barriers, ice cream and kindness, Cuba and Colombia, Turkey and Thailand, the world's steepest street and the world's cheapest engagement ring, catching a thief and losing a zebra, a father's touch and a farmer's embrace, buying time and spending another night. And, of course, it's about bicycles.
Fellow bicycle travelers will smile with recognition, and arm-chair travelers might find themselves wandering into a bike shop, looking for a passport to adventure.
"This is a great read. If you read Adventure Cyclist, then you're familiar with Willie. If not, this is a great chance to make his acquaintance!" ... Mike Schooling
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How to - Bike ... Cycling basics, safety, technique, etc.
Cycling is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Many people are looking to cycling as the solution to concerns about rising fuel costs, environmental issues, and lack of exercise. Biking to school or work is inexpensive, active, and green, but some children have never learned to ride a bike and many adults haven't dusted off their bikes in years. These new cyclists need help building their skills before they take to the road. If your school or organization wants to offer bicycle skill and safety classes in your community, "Smart Cycling: Promoting Safety, Fun, Fitness, and the Environment" is the one resource you will need. In the book, the League of American Bicyclists shares proven instructional strategies that will help you teach cyclists of any age the basics they should know before hopping on a bike.
"From the League of American Bicyclists, still the leading provider of bicycling educational materials in the US, this is the latest and greatest. A "must have" for new cyclists and a good refresher for those of us who might think we know it all" ... Mike Schooling
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How To - Bike Maintenance and Repair
From the publisher's page ... You only need one look inside to see why Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance has become one of the world’s best-selling books on bike repair. This smartly organized and clearly illustrated guide to road bike repair and maintenance—now in 2 colors for easier reference—can make a mechanic out of anyone. Lennard Zinn’s expert advice makes quick work of taking care of every part of a road bike.
"If you haven't heard of Lennard Zinn then you haven't sought any info about working on your bicycle. Zinn also has a book on Mountain Bike repair and an accompanying video on taking care of your Mountain Bike. But road or mountain, Zinn is "the man" in the bike repair world." ... Mike Schooling
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How To - Touring
From Russ Roca and Laura Crawford at The Path Less Pedaled comes this wonderful, brief but thorough guide to getting started in touring by bicycle. Here's a little of what they have to say about it ...
After nearly 14 months of traveling the US on bicycles, we put together and released a comprehensive guide to all of our gear, with great photos and road-tested tips that we’ve discovered along the way (how to find electricity on the road, the virtues of the tortilla, etc).
Our hope is that Panniers & Peanut Butter makes bike touring more accessible and inspires you to put together your own touring gear, finagle the time, and hit the road!
... "Short and sweet from two folks who've been around ... literally!" ... Mike Schooling
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Advocacy
From the OSU Press description ... In a world of increasing traffic congestion, a grassroots movement is carving out a niche for bicycles on city streets. Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities explores the growing bike culture that is changing the look and feel of cities, suburbs, and small towns across North America.
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History
In the late 1880s, Frank Lenz of Pittsburgh, a renowned high-wheel racer and long-distance tourist, dreamed of cycling around the world. He finally got his chance by recasting himself as a champion of the downsized &quo;safety-bicycle&quo; with inflatable tires, the forerunner of the modern road bike that was about to become wildly popular. In the spring of 1892 he quit his accounting job and gamely set out west to cover twenty thousand miles over three continents as a correspondent for Outing magazine. Two years later, after having survived countless near disasters and unimaginable hardships, he approached Europe for the final leg.
"And we think we've got it rough with today's touring bicycles! This guy 'preferred' the ordinary to the safety bicycle when it first came out and you have to read about some of the races he participated in on these ungainly beasts. Then he decided to ride around the world ... well, it's fascinating!" ... Mike Schooling
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Fiction
Racing
The white-knuckle pace of a bicycle race drives this novel about a young American's opportunity to compete in the Tour de France. Complex relationships with teammates, personal and professional obstacles, and a terrible disaster cause the young cyclist to redefine his limits. An insider's perspective on the world of professional bicycle racing reveals that the required tactics and skills create a culture in which pain is the ultimate currency and endurance is the most powerful force. The intense pressure the competitors experience offers an instructive look at personal formation beyond the sports world.
"These two novels are short but fun. If you need a good read for your next plane flight, slip one of these in your carryon and enjoy the ride." ... Mike Schooling
Having won the coveted yellow jersey in stage 10, cyclist Ben Barnes continues his quest to win the Tour de France in this sequel to The Race. Despite his attempts to distance himself from the traditional political maneuvering, Ben falls victim to the repercussions associated with his success and comes face to face with outright sabotage and ongoing conflicts with team owners. This treachery, however, becomes insignificant in comparison to the specter of illegal, performance-enhancing drugs. Experiencing extreme pressure to prevail, Ben contemplates how he can be successful amidst challengers who have stacked the odds in their favor. Difficulties with his girlfriend and brutal weather conditions throughout the remaining 10 stages further conspire to derail Ben as he ascends Plateau de Bonsacre and Luz Ardiden, races through Cannes and Bordeaux, and strives to be the first to cross the finish line on the Champs-Elysées.
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Mystery
A murder mystery set in the world of European professional cycling.
"Okay, I'm a mystery fan at heart. So what could be better than a series of murder mysteries with bicycling as the background? Well, nothing, that's what! I've read the first two of Moody's five-book series and am eager to have some time to read the rest." ... Mike Schooling
Team Haven rides again! The long-anticipated sequel to "Two Wheels" begins with the mysterious death of a professional cyclist in Belgium and takes Team Haven through the grueling Tour de France.
When Cheryl joins an American mountain bike team, she and Will face smugglers, hit men, and rabid environmentalists -- as well as a more engaging distraction: their attraction to each other.
When Will Ross and Cheryl Crane hit the roads of Colorado, they have no idea they will become the target of a madman obsessed with destroying a town celebration, a sports reporter, and a bicycle race. Deadroll is both a white-knuckle ride through the Colorado mountains and a pointed look at the world of TV sports coverage.
In Dead Air, a sports reporter is determined to use cyclist Will Ross's limelight for her own career, while a killer is bent on taking care of some unfinished business. As he struggles to recover from tragedy, Will must find out whether a single ride can change his life and whether he is capable of taking the ultimate revenge.
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