Cycling Books That Actually Make Sense
#27
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Fair enough. To each their own, I'm sure they have been talked about plenty on BF, just wanted to share my experience with the books. Doesn't change the fact that for most LBS and cycling marketers I'm not their target audience, thus the total exclusion of anything I'd ever want to ride from recent line ups. Although that has probably always been the case for the weird DIY vintage utilitarian rider....
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Joe Breeze and I got a chapter in that book, and also ten minutes out of the one hour TV show made to complement it.
So Rob Penn and I are friends. When the Wall Street Journal looked for someone to review my book, Fat Tire Flyer, who did they pick? Rob Penn!
I got a great review, which hides behind a paywall.
So Rob Penn and I are friends. When the Wall Street Journal looked for someone to review my book, Fat Tire Flyer, who did they pick? Rob Penn!
I got a great review, which hides behind a paywall.
J.O mentioned Bike Tribes. Read that last year, a funny book that also deals with stereotypes! Some grains of truth there which is probably why it's funny.
I just finished Mud, Sweat, and Gears by Joe Kurmaskie. Great read, great insight into humanity and being in love. I'm just starting an earlier book of his, Momentum Is Your Friend.
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#31
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That is the first book I bought after buying two Fuji S-10-S road bikes back in 1972 - one for me, one for my wife. I built a crude bike stand out of 2x4 lumber and learned how to work on things.
When my 1968 VW Beetle had problems, I bought John Muir's "How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive". I kept mine alive until a piston rod decided to go crazy about 200k later.
When my 1968 VW Beetle had problems, I bought John Muir's "How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive". I kept mine alive until a piston rod decided to go crazy about 200k later.
#32
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#33
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My own favorites don't include anything about mountain biking.
My friend Andy Homan wrote an amazing tome called Life in the Slipstream; the Bobby Walthour Jr. Story. It's about Six-Day racing at the end of the 19th Century.
Andrew Ritchie wrote a very interesting book on the beginning of bicycle racing, from penny-farthings on the banked track to six-days in the early 20th Century. It's called Quest for Speed.
My friend Andy Homan wrote an amazing tome called Life in the Slipstream; the Bobby Walthour Jr. Story. It's about Six-Day racing at the end of the 19th Century.
Andrew Ritchie wrote a very interesting book on the beginning of bicycle racing, from penny-farthings on the banked track to six-days in the early 20th Century. It's called Quest for Speed.
#34
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(Link to Amazon)
I really enjoyed this one too. Learned a lot about the history of the bicycle industry/business. Highly recommended if your interest in bikes includes the business side of the field.
STP
#35
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Since I'm probably the only person in this conversation who has actually written a book about bikes, I might as well point out that my publisher has made a couple of chapters of Fat Tire Flyer available online. You can look at them and decide whether you want to spend real money.
Here's a chapter in Dirt Rag
Here's another in VeloNews.
Here's a chapter in Dirt Rag
Here's another in VeloNews.
#36
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Thanks for the link. I'm going to watch it ASAP.
I was in San Francisco in the hippie days, but for whatever reason, I was entirely oblivious to bicycles in any form. Didn't really think about them until I moved to ABQ, NM four years ago and noticed all the bicyclists riding the roads and the EXTENSIVE single-track trails within walking/biking distance from my house. Now I own a Yeti, a vintage Schwinn Circuit and a Trek Domane! Hooked.
In the Penn book I recognized Steve Gravenites' name--I believe his dad must have been Nick Gravenites, a well-known figure in the music scene in those days. I vaguely remember attending an outdoor concert when he played with Mike Bloomfield--Electric Flag days, IIRC. Also heard your Sons of Champlin many times! Etc., etc. as far as bands goes.
I purchased, read and enjoyed Fat Tire Flyer: Repack and the Birth of Mountain Biking (Amazon link). A very handsome book with lots of pix not to be found elsewherel not to mention the first-hand account of the BIRTH of mountain biking. Well worth the purchase and highly recommended.
Thanks for getting all the fun and some of the craziness of those days down for posterity! Definitely "a long strange trip...."
All the best,
STP
PS: For some reason the link to the video about the Penn Book, as found on Steve Gravenites "Gravy Wheels" site goes to a pulled-down version. You might let him know. And thanks for posting a working one.
Last edited by Porschefan; 03-15-15 at 05:07 PM. Reason: Fix quote
#37
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My dear wife gave me Bicycle by david v. herlihy. Very C&V as it details the development of the two wheeled vehicle from not only a product development but puts it in context of the condition of society as well. Highly recommend it. I Learned a lot and was surprised in many cases.
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#38
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After learning more about Mike Magnusson's private life, I tend to read his books with a bit of a hunk of salt. Otherwise, I'd throw in "Miles from Nowhere" and any of the Joe Kurmaskie books.
#39
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Six Days of Madness
A well researched, 150 page insight into the history of the early 1900's through the glory days of the North American based riders on the pro "sixers" circuit. Great pictures and background into a surreal bike subculture.The short bio- introduction of author Ted Harper is great short story in itself.Out of print but rumours have floated about another run.
#40
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Best book ever written on cycling, hands down, IMHO, is "The Bicycling Book" edited by John Krausz & Vera van der Reis Krausz. It has a lot of short chapters written by different authors who share a real passion for all different aspects of the sport. There are a lot of really cool chapters including one on Klunkers that covers the early days of mtb riding. There is a also a great chapter on winter riding in Finland and another really cool one on Beryl Burton. Hard to find but there is a lot of cool stuff there.
#41
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My dear wife gave me Bicycle by david v. herlihy. Very C&V as it details the development of the two wheeled vehicle from not only a product development but puts it in context of the condition of society as well. Highly recommend it. I Learned a lot and was surprised in many cases.
#42
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I love the Snobberdoodles blog and books. Always good for some laughs and insight.
I also recommend The Lost Cyclist by David Herlihy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4OcbymqwF8
I also recommend The Lost Cyclist by David Herlihy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4OcbymqwF8
#43
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The Herlihy book is excellent, but it barely recognizes the arrival of mountain biking, the biggest development in cycling of the 20th Century.. In the first edition David spelled my name wrong. When he signed my copy, he hand-corrected that page, and in the second printing I see that it has been corrected.
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#44
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It isn't a secret that I have only felt comfortable in one LBS, ever, and have remained loyal to them despite the 2hr drive time to get there because they understand the value in encouraging cyclists of all manners. They have all your expected brand spanking new pro-influenced bikes, but they also have rooms full of used bikes, vintage rebuilds, alt bikes and PARTS.
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#45
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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My sweetie gave me Herlihy's book Bicycle a year or so ago. Very interesting and informative. But I often found myself wanting more, even if just one detail, on something he glossed over or left out entirely.
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
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With great bikes comes great responsibility.
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#46
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In addition to some of the other cycling books mentioned (such as Miles from Nowhere), here are some other good books that I would recommend:
- Metal Cowboy, Joe Kurmaskie
- Travels with Willie, Willie Weir
- Metal Cowboy, Joe Kurmaskie
- Travels with Willie, Willie Weir
#47
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However, the description of the "Bike boom" in America was really good. Had no idea of the magnitude and the extent of how society was impacted (acceptance of change in women's attire due to the bicycle).
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#48
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Yes, Mr. H's descriptions of how the bicycle changed society were quite fascinating.
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#49
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#50
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I think my top 4 in some order would be:
The Rider
A Dog in a Hat
The Lost Cyclist
Put Me Back on My Bike
The Rider
A Dog in a Hat
The Lost Cyclist
Put Me Back on My Bike
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