Cheers - Snoop
Breaking The Chain - Willy Voet. Short book written by the Team Festina soigneur caught by the police in July 1998 with a bucket load of drugs. Compelling reading which claims to expose the widespread use of illicit substances by riders on the pro tour.
Rough Ride - Paul Kimmage. Interesting insight into professional cycling (more drugs I?m afraid). Paul Kimmage rode the TdeF three times and he talks about these and other achievements in a very straightforward manner which I found quite moving.
Put Me Back On My Bike - William Fotheringham. Overall a good book about the late great ?Major? Tom Simpson and yep, more drugs. Bit too much padding (the book, not Simpson) but will likely leave you wanting to pay a visit to the Giant of Provence, well it worked for me!
French Revolutions- Tim Moore. Funny book about a geezer who has a crack at following the route of the TdeF and very nearly makes it. Some good laughs and an inspiration to all casual peddlers like myself. Didn?t make it to the top of Ventoux though, did he (tee hee). No drugs - apart from a few Nurofen if I recall correctly.
It?s Not About The Bike - Lance Armstrong. Unsurprisingly given the title, there?s not too much about cycling in this. Good book nuff said. Drugs - heavily medicinal, not performance enhancing.....
Every Second Counts - Lance Armstrong. See above, there?s a bit more about cycling in this one.
Complete Book Of Cycling - Chris Boardman. More of a reference book this one. Some good stuff in it but Boardman is a bit too nerdy for me - a very exacting approach to his cycling. Might be of interest for someone looking to train up for greater things than a quick spin followed by tea and cake. No drugs.
Riding High - Paul Howard. Fantastic read about a keen amateur who shadows the 2003 TdeF, setting off in the wee hours of the morning in advance of the professional tour. Just about the best cycling book I?ve read - very funny. No drugs except caffeine and croissants, with jam of course.
Inside The Peloton - Graeme Fife
Le Tour - Geoffrey Wheatcroft
I?m in the process of reading these last two (you know how Rick Wakeman used to play 2 keyboards at once - well I do it with books) so no comment as yet?..
