Bicycle racing

Bicycling Magazine-s Complete Book of Road Cycling Skills - Your Guide to Riding Faster- Stronger- L

3 stars (Literary equivalent to the energy bar) - This book is broken down into short chapters which can each be read in about three to five minutes. Like Bicycling magazine itself, it manages to be accurate and somewhat helpful, albeit completely insubstantial. I found that reading this book inspired me to ride, which is always a good thing. The subject of road cycling, however, is treated in such a superficial and scattershot manner that the book will probably be of little long term benefit. Like a cliff bar, it's sugary, fast acting, short term fuel for the road. 3 stars (A good book for the the strait racing bike. ) - This book was written primarily for the strait road/race bicycle, (the one with the curved handlebars). If this is your bike I recommend it, even more so if you intend to race. However, except for a brief topic of converting a mountain bike for the road, there is no mention of hybrids in the book. Maybe the book was made before they were available, hence the info on converting a mountain bike for the road. If you have a road bike with upright handlebars, (hybrid, comfort, touring), you won't find any mention of your bike in the book. And the pictures and info in the chapter on bicycle parts is all geared toward the road/racing bike. However the book is still worthwhile reading, particularly the chapters on safety, and road skills, dealing with exhaustion, heat, and cold among other helpful topics. I wouldn't recommend it for the advanced cyclist, or those that don't have a dedicated road/race bike, as a first book. But there is still some good stuff here. The black and white drawings of streetwise safety ideas I found particularly helpful. fiannor 1 stars (rather embarrassing...) - I guess for $11-12 you can take your chances with the book, but I don't believe you will learn much from it unless you are absolutely new to bicycling. But even then do not expect too much. As another reviewer said, many suggestions are rather simp...
Rodale Books :: bicycles :: Sports & Recreation & Cycling :: Training :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Cycling - General :: Bicycle racing :: Ben Hewitt :: :: Bicycling Magazine-s Complete Book of Road Cycling Skills - Your Guide to Riding Faster- Stronger- L

Inside the Postal Bus- My Ride with Lance Armstrong and the U S Postal Cycling Team

1 stars (Misleading title) - If you are new to cycling then you will learn a few things in this book. But if you are already a cycling fan looking to learn more about Lance or US Postal, you won't find it here. This guy was so much an outsider that he doesn't have much insight. 3 stars (It's just okay) - Frankly, the book is just okay. The biggest problem I had was that Barry would touch on a subject, then dance around it. For example, during a chapter near the end of the book, he mentions that Hamilton tested positive, mentions that everybody around the breakfast table (most of the book seems to take place here) was talking about it, and then completely drops the subject. So, uh, geez, Michael, what were the guys saying about it? He also never really gave any insider's secrets to training, racing, nutrition, etc. I would recommend that anyone who is interested in reading a book about the 2004 season check out Coyle's Lance Armstrong's War, which I thought was a much better book. 3 stars (Great Introduction to Coffee & Cycling) - Michael Barry's view "Inside the Postal Bus" gives a great introduction to cycling, and includes some funny excerpts about the hotels, bus, and coffee machines that keep the team rolling. This is a quick read, and offers more perspectives on cycling than JUST "the" Tour, which is nice. The writing is not too sophisticated (most cyclists don't go on to college) but who cares?! He finally gives some of the riders OTHER than Lance and some OTHER races some coverage. If you are real Tour fan, this book covers some of the basics (meaning the jerseys, etc.) that we have heard over and over again but bear with it. ...
VeloPress :: U S Postal Cycling Team :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Cycling - General :: Cycling :: Bicycle racing :: Barry :: Michael :: :: 1975- :: Michael Barry :: :: Inside the Postal Bus- My Ride with Lance Armstrong and the U S Postal Cycling Team

The Lance Armstrong Performance Program- Seven Weeks to the Perfect Ride

4 stars (Lots of information) - Love this book!! Tells you alot of stuff you need to know if you are a beginner in the bike world. I reread parts of it alot and know it will be checked many times again for its valuable information. 5 stars (Great fitness aid) - As a beginner to cycling, I was looking for a book to help me improve both my skill level and my fitness. I purchased this book based on some of the recommendations provided by other readers, and am very glad I did. It has been a great tool in helping me achieve both of my goals. Lots of useful information about planning your fitness/training program, and good schedules for beginning cyclists. It may be a bit too basic for the more advanced cyclist. 3 stars (Not for Beginners) - First, let me start by saying I am a Lance Fan! I admire his accomplishments and believe he is one of the good people on our planet. Now about this book. It is a good book full of pratical ideas and plans to improve one's cycling, however, I think that a beginner might have difficulty in following all of the terms,descriptions and detailed plans provided. I have been cycling for over 20 years and I believe that my experience allowed me to grasp the concepts presented. In addition to the valuable information provided there are the obligatory chapters covering fitness, diet and mental preparedness. I believe a reader with years of fitness experience will find this information to be basic. It is information you would have most likely read in other fitness training type books. If your intent on buying this book is for training I would recommend it (with the caveat previously mentioned). If your intent is to be motivated and you are a Lance fan - buy "It's Not About the Bike" and "Every Second Counts". ...
Rodale Books :: Sports & Recreation & Cycling :: Training :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Nutrition :: General :: Cycling - General :: Bicycle racing :: Peter Joffre Nye :: Chris C :: The Lance Armstrong Performance Program- Seven Weeks to the Perfect Ride