The Works
La Vie Velominatus. It is the life we, as Velominati, lead. It is life as a disciple of cycling, of the greater meaning the bike holds and the lessons it teaches us. Along the path, one of our great duties is the wholesale consumption of the great Works related to our sport. From periodicals to books to films, herin lies the list of works considered to be necessary reading and viewing for any Velominatus who wishes to further understand our craft.
All works in this list have been read or viewed by The Keepers or have been recommended by one of our community members; if it is included herein, you can be certain that The Work speaks to the greater meaning of La Vie Velominatus that we pursue. Please feel free to add your own recommendations and we will make sure to update the list as we become aware of more great Works.
The Texts
[workitem]
Rouleur (Periodical)
While pricey by periodical standards, Rouleur is also immaculately curated and written; the entire Rouleur project is founded on everything that makes a velominatus what we are. From guest articles by the likes of Robert Millar, to interviews with Chris Boardman on the selection of Royce hubs for his Hour Record attempt, to a two-part series on how to properly select and mount your tubular tires.
Rouleur is an absolute must-read for any Velominatus.
[/workitem]
[workitem]
Tomorrow, We Ride
Jean Bobet
Perhaps the single most inspirational work on what it means to love the bicycle, Jean Bobet takes us on a journey of life as a scholar and professional cyclist alongside his famous brother, Louison, who won the Tour de France three times. It is a book about his life as a cyclist and a passion for cycling that goes beyond careers and racing results. In some places historical, in others touching, while in others is downright funny. But mostly, it’s about a love for a cycling life.
Paperback: 179 pages, Publisher: Mousehold Press (September 3, 2008), ISBN-10: 187473951X, ISBN-13: 978-1874739517
[/workitem]
[workitem]
We Were Young and Carefree
Laurent Fignon
The late and honored Professeur writes an amazing memoir of his life as a professional cyclist. Unapologetic and brutally honest, this book takes us through the highest high and lowest lows of a career better remembered for losing the Tour by eight seconds than he is for winning it twice. The pages are lined with unforgettable anecdotes, from racing bikes alongside The Badger and Greg LeMond, to mentoring the great Gianni Bugno, to the befuddlement of the Old Guard as EPO entered the peloton in the early nineties.
Paperback: 304 pages, Publisher: Yellow Jersey Press (July 5, 2010), Language: English, ISBN-10: 0224083198, ISBN-13: 978-0224083195
[/workitem]
[workitem]
Le Metier
Michael Barry
Le Métier (the craft) is something just this side of an addiction. Barry beautifully describes the struggle and agony inherent in professional cycling; he portrays a miserable existence, saved only by the fact that these select few are permitted to make a living doing something they love, even if le métier is a far cry from what drew them to the sport in the first place.
*Synopsis by Steampunk.
Hardcover: 204 pages, Publisher: Rouleur Ltd (April 2010), Language: English, ISBN: TBD
[/workitem]
[workitem]
A Dog in a Hat
Joe Parkin
While it covers the same subject matter as Rough Ride – of a young neo-pro learning the ropes of the peloton, including the dark depths of drug use – A Dog in a Hat is an uplifting tale by a rider clearly in love with the sport and everything that comes with it. With none of the bitterness of the story of Rough Ride, Joe Parkin acquaints us with life as a professional in Belgium with grace, humor, and, above all, honesty.
Paperback: 205 pages, Publisher: VeloPress (September 1, 2008), Language: English, ISBN-10: 1934030260, ISBN-13: 978-1934030264
[/workitem]
[workitem]
The Rider
Tim Krabbe
“To say that the race is the metaphor for life is to miss the point. The race is everything. It obliterates whatever isn’t racing. Life is the metaphor for the race.”
Paperback: 160 pages, Publisher: Bloomsbury USA (June 12, 2003), Language: English, ISBN-10: 1582342903, ISBN-13: 978-1582342900
[/workitem]
[workitem]
Need for the Bike
Paul Fournel
While the cover and the pages within contain various Rule violations, the passion and attention to the little things that make a Velominatus can’t be ignored. The book consists of short passages, each discussing a different, fundamental aspect of cycling. Not about racing, this book is about passion for the sport at a recreational level.
Paperback: 150 pages, Publisher: Bison Books (September 1, 2003), Language: English, ISBN-10: 0803269099, ISBN-13: 978-0803269095
[/workitem]
[workitem]
Slaying the Badger
Richard Moore
The easy-going, trusting, and entitled personality of Greg LeMond clashed with the brash, take-what-you-can, aggressive personality of Bernard Hinault during the 1986 Tour de France, resulting in one of the greatest editions of the race. The race was fought not only on the roads of France, but through a psychological battle that was sparked not just in 1985 as is widely accepted, but the day the two met on the Renault team in the winter of 1980/1981.
Paperback: 304 pages, Publisher: Yellow Jersey Press (May 26, 2011), Language: English, ISBN-10: 9780224082907, ISBN-13: 0224082906
[/workitem]
[workitem isbn=”1934030090″]
Paris-Roubaix, A Journey Through Hell
Philippe Bouvet
Simply stunning is this book. If you have a soft spot for L’Enfer du Nord, you must own this. You can almost taste the mud in your teeth and feel the pain in your bones as the riders rattle over the stones. As much a great history of the race as it is visually striking. A tribute fit for the Queen.
Hardcover: 223 pages, Publisher: VeloPress (September 1, 2007), Language: English, ISBN-10: 1934030090, ISBN-13: 978-1934030097
[/workitem]
[workitem isbn=”0964983508″]
Intimate Portrait of the Tour De France: Masters and Slaves of the Road
Philippe Brunel
The photos in this book will draw you in, but eventually you’re bound to discover that the pages of this immaculate work are filled with reverent prose that can be read and re-read. The book covers many of the greatest legends of our sport both on and off the bike and contains some of the most recognizable photos of our sport. It appears out of print, but is still available on the second-hand market.
Paperback: 156 pages, Publisher: Buonpane Pubns, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0964983508, ISBN-13: 978-0964983502
[/workitem]
[workitem]
This what happens when you put a real writer in a following car. Robin Magowan is an excellent writer of prose and poetry and he records one Tour de France from the road, not from a press room. This is the Tour of Thevenet and Maertens, it’s the post-Merckx era. I have a copy to loan but owning this would be a wise investment. It’s excellent.
Hardcover: 203 pages, Publisher: Stanley Paul, London, (1979), Velopress 2nd edition (May 1996), Language: English, ISBN-10: 1884737137, ISBN-13: 978-1884737138
[/workitem]
[workitem]
The Death of Marco Pantani
Matt Rendell
Fans of Il Pirata may have a hard time reading this studiously researched and compelling biography of one of the legends of our sport. It paints no pretty pictures and dons no kid gloves as it chronicles Marco’s life in detail. Nor does it serve as a muckraking exposé into the rise and fall of this great athlete. Rendell’s work serves as, what The Independent aptly called, an ambivalent tribute. From his upbringing in Cesenatico, to his first races as a promising youth rider, to his storied 1998 season, to his descent into addiction and self-loathing, Rendell captures the passion, athleticism, and complexities of Pantani’s too-short life. If you’re a fan of Il Pirata who is hesitant to read this book for fear of your Pantani bubble being burst, we challenge you to read it anyway. The Keeper who wrote this review came away with an even deeper appreciation, respect, and compassion for the man in spite of having to read about some of the darkest places a Cyclist can go.
Copyright 2006, 323 pages, Phoenix Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-7538-2203-6
[/workitem]
[workitem]
Rouleur Photography Annuals
There is no more photogenic sport than cycling. A big call, yes, but one that is supported by the consistently stunning examples offered every year by Rouleur Magazine’s Photo Annual. And of course, their fine writers aren’t entirely forgotten, with typically verbose text accompanying each photographer’s contibution.
Publisher: Rouleur Ltd. ISBN: 9780956423306 Hard or Soft cover available.
[/workitem]
[workitem]
The Escape Artist
Matt Seaton
“A beautifully written book which depicts the struggle between a fulfilling home life and a satisfying bike life. Seaton manages to describe the skill, drama, speed and pain of cycle racing as well as giving the book a very personal feel.” *Synopsis by Dexter.
Pages: 192 ISBN 13: 9781841151045 ISBN 10: 1941151041
Publisher: Harper Collins Date: 2/06 2003 Sub-title of Text: Life From The Saddle
[/workitem]
[workitem]
Road Racing Technique and Training
Bernard Hinault and Claude Genzling
Many of us had our first introduction to The Craft through Greg LeMond’s Complete Book of Cycling. But where did LeMan acquire his wisdom? Possibly from The Badger himself. Bernard gives the fundamentals on how to destroy opponents as well as properly adjust the seatpost.
Beautifully translated from French, the Cyclist is frequently referred to as “the organism”. Sadly, there is no chapter on punching out French protesters who dare to block a race course.
*Synopsis by @fignon’s barber.
Paperback: 208 pages, Publisher: Vitesse Press (31 Dec 1994), Language: English, ISBN-10: 0941950131, ISBN-13: 978-0941950138
[/workitem]
The Films
[workitem]
Road to Roubaix
Masterlink Films
This film holds an important place in every Velominatus’ Roubaix Sunday Ritual, which should include riding over the worst roads in your neighborhood, watching the race, and watching this movie.
This film is not a race video; this film is a tribute to everything that is beautiful and brutal about the Spring Classics. The incredible cinematography is paired to rider interviews so intimate, you simultaneously worship and pity these hard men. An absolute must-see for any rider who loves the classics.
[/workitem]
[workitem]
Stars and Watercarriers/The Impossible Hour
Jørgen Leth
This is a double-feature DVD containing two classics, Stars and Watercarriers and The Impossible Hour. Both narrated by the Dane Jørgen Leth, these films are an entirely unique take on this amazing sport of ours. The scenes of the riders carrying out their work and preparing for races are the stuff that inspire us to enter La Vie Velominatus. Stars and Watercarriers takes us through the Giro d’Italia where Merckx dominates the race, and The Impossible Hour covers Ole Ritter’s attempt to reclaim the Hour held by Merckx.
[/workitem]
[workitem]
La Course en Tete/The Greatest Show on Earth
Joel Santoni
La Course en Tete is perhaps the most iconic cycling film of all time; anyone wishing to better know The Cannibal is obliged to start here. Following him at the height of his career, this film reflects the man training, at the table with his family, and dominating races. No other rider compares to The Prophet, and no other film is a more suitable reflection of his career.
The Greatest Show on Earth shows us why the Giro is better than the Tour, as we follow Merckx through the ’74 edition, which he struggled to win by a mere 12 seconds.
[/workitem]
[workitem]
A Sunday in Hell
Jørgen Leth
Another classic Leth work, this film moves at a pace that dramatically contrasts the chaos of the race itself. A Sunday in Hell documents what it takes to race the hardest of the classics by following the hardest of the hardmen during the golden era of the race: Merckx, de Vlaeminck, and Marten.
Only Leth would include the scenes for the Velominatus such as the one at the neutralized zone where Merckx borrows a rival team’s spanner to adjust his saddle a trifle.
[/workitem]
[workitem]
Breaking Away
Peter Yates
This is easily one of the greatest ‘Hollywood’ films featuring cycling. Even other cyclists who may not have heard of the 1979 Oscar winner for Best Screenplay seem perplexed and unable to grasp the concept of a teen coming-of-age film featuring that rarity of Hollywood filmdom, a *gasp* cyclist.
And that’s all that Breaking Away is. It’s not a cycling film, not a fly-on-the-wall doco like A Sunday In Hell or Hell On Wheels. In fact it’s completely bereft of hell in any form. It’s heaven, sometimes on wheels, sometimes in Mike’s Buick, sometimes in the swimming hole at the old abandoned limestone quarry.
[/workitem]
[workitem]
The Flying Scotsman
Douglas Mackinnon
Graeme Obree holds a hallowed place in cycling, this film puts into sharp relief what kind of personality it takes to turn the entire world of cycling on it’s head and claim one of the most honored and difficult records in our sport.
This film is based on Obree’s autobiography. Unlike most other films made from books; Obree himself was involved in this project and even built a replica of his the bike he had built to carry his inventive aerodynamic position. This tale is tragic and triumphant all at once. It also demonstrates that Scottish is basically it’s own language; American’s will need to pour themselves an ale in order to have any hope of understanding the dialog.
[/workitem]
[workitem]
Overcoming (2005)
Directed by Tomas Gislason
“Unlike the recent HTC-Columbia feature-length advert, Overcoming truly gives the feeling of life in a Pro Team. It’s also the only film (of a genre) where the extras are as good as the movie, and it only serves to make us love Jens even more (if that were possible!).”
*(Synopsis by Jake Scott)
@Jeff in PetroMetro
I second Cyclingtips and Inner Ring. Cycling Inquisition is amusing, written by a Colombian native and recovering Death metal fan.
Two favorite Texanisms among many:
“I flung up my arms and wove”
“cowtow”
@Marcus, @Oli Brooke-White, @mcsqueak
Rouleur remains my favorite cycling publication (only missing issue #1, donations accepted) but I agree that the last few issues haven’t had the same punch of the previous ones. No problem – it’s still chock full of great stories and photos, but it’s missing the Velominatus bent that has inspired me so. I blame it on off-season blues and expect them to be back to full tick here very soon.
For my money, it’s the 20-page indulgence on how to pick/mount a tub; it’s the peice on Royce with an interview with Chris Boardman who spends two pages talking about spoke-nipple selection for the Hour attempt; it’s the 10 page spread on Team Z…
You can’t find that kind of bike geekdom anywhere else…except maybe here in the members of this community. But Rouleur smells better.
Rouleur with The Ride Journal are still the best cycling magazines available on the market.
The first has always displayed great stories and an outstanding bunch of photographers with the merit to have resurrected the cycling photojournalistic style, very popular till the ’70s.
The second has the merit to have allowed enthusiasts to write about their passion (plus beautiful photos too) where you can feel the love for cycling.
Velominati is placed in the same perimeters but adding the irony they are lacking.
Ride (an Aussie mag) is still the best. But Fucking India is killing us in the cricket
@G’phant
You are kind of amusing – which is bad for your country as it only serves to remind of the general shit-boringness of your countrymen.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
I especially like how stupid Americans (yes, a tortology) think that (presumably because we all speak English) they are automatically on some sort of same wavelength as Australians. We have hated u since u dragged us into ‘Nam and now you are fiscally fucked we don’t have to pretend we are friends anymore.
India just kicked us out of the World Cup. Woe is me.
@Marcus
Fuck. I had the whole “keep the espresso away from the laptop” thing figured out. Then you come along at lunch and I nearly choke to death. I had to heimlich myself. (Merckx, that sounds a little dirty.)
@Marcus
Oh, and please explain cricket to me in a thousand words or less. It looks a little like baseball played by men who can neither throw nor catch.
Hi Guys
Disney Europe released a film ” Hugo Koblet, Pedaleur de Charme” the Film is suposed to be available in Europe ? any chance you can find it
Thanks
With the Giro about to start I must recommend Dino Buzzati’s Giro d’Italia. It’s a collection of dispatches from an eminent Italian journo/novelist/man of letters sent to cover the 1949 edition. He’d never covered a bike race before and gets told all sorts of outlandish things by the veteran race journos. The as much about what the Giro meant to Italy recovering from WWII. The tifosi and the gregarios have as big a role in the story as Coppi and Bartali. This is the Giro that included the 254km stage from Cuneo to Pinerolo, which I think they tried to include in the Tour 2 years ago on the 60th anniversary of this Giro, but couldn’t because one of the roads was closed by avalanche. The book is out of print but worth searching out.
Rule #65
Sutherland’s Handbook for Bicycle Mechanics – it is on every workbench at UBI, and
Park’s Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair. For Merckx’s sake keep ’em running silent!
I’ll second this, I’m only midway through it but it’s a great mix of the history of cycling and the search for “that” bike.
One of those books that, from pretty much page one, I knew I’d own for ever.
Just FINALLY finished “The Death of Marco Pantani”. The first half was a fast read with an appropiate amount of science, although gramatically poorly written. The second half was like going back to first year in med school and reading micro texts. PAINFUL! I would NOT recommend reading this book as it is pretty poorly written and gets was too in depth in the science for the second half. I believe the author’s premise that Marco was doping from the early ’90s, but it was not overly an enjoyable read. Just my opinion!
Holy Bizarro Films Batman!!! Just finished watching this film after buying it yesterday. I really love french films and this one was no exception. Just amazing, but really out there at the same time. Reminded me of a velo version of the incredible 1991 film “Delicatessen”.
Agreed, on all counts.
Deadset gorgeous, and how a film manages to be so evocative of something I saw when I was a kid whilst being made in 2003 is pleasantly befuddling.
I apologize in advance for the long winded post, but I recently finished reading “It’s all about the bike” by Robert Penn, and after doing so I have to second @Marks recommendation for inclusion in the works. While it may not be a racing book, it describes a reverence for the bike that is firmly rooted in the peloton and that seems to me to echo the sentiments that resonate on many of the Velominati articles and posts.
These paragraphs in the prologue chapter really caught my attention:
“I’ve been riding bicycles for thirty-six years. Today I ride to get to work, sometimes for work, to keep fit, to bathe in air and sunshine, to go shopping, to escape when the world is breaking my balls, to savour the physical and emotional fellowship of riding with friends, to travel, to stay sane, to skip bathtime with my kids, for fun, for a moment of grace, occasionally to impress someone, to scare myself and to hear my boy laugh. Sometimes I ride my bicycle just to ride my bicycle. It’s a broad church of practical, physical and emotional reasons with one unifying thing- the bicycle.
I need a new bike, I could go on-line right now with a credit card and spend $5,000 on a mass produced carbon or titanium racing bike. I could be tanking through the hills on a superb new machine at sunset tomorrow. It’s tempting, very tempting. But it’s not right. Like many people, I’m frustrated at the round of buying stuff that is designed to be replaced quickly. I want to break the loop with this bike. I’m going to ride it for thirty years or more and I want to savour the process of acquiring it. I want the best bike I can afford, and I want to grow old with it. Besides, I’m only going to spend this kind of money once. I require more than a good bike. In fact, I require a bike you can’t buy on the internet; a bike you can’t buy anywhere. Anyone who rides a bike regularly and has even the faintest feeling of respect or affection for their own steed will know this hankering – I want MY bike.”
Once I read that I was hooked and couldn’t put the book down. It made me want to start planning my own quest to build “My bike”, and more importantly… it made me want to ride.
@LA Dave
Sweet. You’ve made me want to read it. Thanks for the heads up.
“Slaying the Badger” book coming out soon. Cannot wait to read this. Sounds great and it was the year I started following cycling.
Link from cyclingnews.com:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/slaying-the-badger-recalls-1986-tour-de-france
Ooops, guess it was released around a week ago. Time to order it!
Orange and Black attack.
The wife and I spent yesterday and today down in Salt Lake City celebrating our 14ht anniversary. My LBS has been slow about getting me some tubular glue so I looked up Contender bike while in SLC. Really nice shop. TIME, BMCs, Pinarellos. Rapha and Assos stuff all over the place. I got my tubular glue but I also scored a 50% off Rouleur and finally found some black and orange socks to go with the V-Kit. But I also made the mistake of trying on some Mavic “White Princesses”. Man those are nice shoes. I don’t want to push my luck though so maybe for Christmas?
Then we topped of the evening at the swank restaurant out hotel. I got a dry aged N.Y. Strip steak (medium rare of course) with garlic frites and a Polygamy Porter. Perfect.
@Cyclops
That sounds like a nice little getaway. I’ve got a couple pair of black/orange socks I wear with the V-kit. It’s a nice look. And yes, the Princesses are the shit. Man, it sounds like you’re having a great summer. Happy Anniversary.
@Cyclops
Happy Anniversary!
—–
Speaking of sox, today while riding along the shore of the Lake of Como I saw a cool guy on a beautiful Trek Madone and… wait! WTF! He was wearing a pair of long sox, I mean long till the knees! Those ‘compression’ sox!
Horribile visu!
I’ve just ordered the new books from David Millar as soon I get it, I’ll tell you if it’s worth reading.
@Cyclops
Here is the image and post about the socks…only took all day to find. Yes, looks like DeFeet black and orange socks. Sadly, can’t find them on their website. Anyway, since these recent posts were about magazines, I’ve been reading peloton and Rouleur of late. Both seem pretty good for my money.
What does a bike geek do on a Saturday night? Drink beer and peruse cycling websites, of course. CompetitiveCyclist has three really good, really important Rouleur books on for half-price. Click on Sale, then Accessories. I just cranked up the credit card myself. Kolln’s book alone will make my life just that much better.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Damn you JiPM, I just ordered The Peloton, Le Metier and Parkin’s book… had to stop myself getting the Rouleur Annual, I have all of them to date, but they usually clear them out when the new one is released.
@brett
+1 in damning JiPM…I’m off to Competitive Cyclist now to order books…sigh.
A few days ago, I picked up a magazine I had not seen or read before: paved. Anyone else check it out? Seems interesting on the face of it. I also, based on comments here, picked up Cycle Sport America. it’s a special TdF issue, so hard to get a sense of it. I can tell one thing – they don’t like Contador and don’t think he should be racing right now.
@brett
@drsoul
I like to think I’m pretty good at spending other people’s money. It’s one of my few talents.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
See my comment over in “The Rules” for how I spent my Friday while SWMBO was out at a work show…now to ensure I hide the credit card statement!!!
Just finished The Rider. What a great read. Best $0.99 I ever spent. Isn’t it amazing how disturbingly similar a fellow cyclists thoughts can be. Seemed as if Krabbe was in my head during one of my long solo efforts.
Also, many of you may remember our discussion regarding WWII fighter pilots, fair play, unwritten rules of the peloton and such during last years tour after the Schleckanical. I don’t want to rehash that now, but Krabbe eloquently summarizes my thoughts on the chaingate affair. I won’t ruin it for you if you have yet to read it, but if you have a copy, reread page 121.
This should be required reading for any aspiring cycling enthusiast or any grizzled cycling veteran who has lost his enthusiasim.
I’m reading Ned Boulting’s (UK ITV Tour de France reporter) book on covering the tour, and there’s a great quote from Robbie McEwen.
Journo: “What gave you the energy for that final spring, Robbie?”
Robbie: “Breakfast.” *walks off*
@ralasdair
I’ve been reading this too – absolutely bloody hilarious – must read for anyone with an eye for the frivolous side of life, and good insight too on Tour – made a refreshing change from the Laurent Fignon book of whining (no offence intended to LF fans, but did anyone else in the world ever do anything right?)
Ned’s book especially funny for new folk to the sport in the last couple of years, as Ned clearly had no knowledge of cycling when he landed the job – hence the title, when he addressed the Maillot Jaune in his first ever interview, and said something along the lines of “at least you get to keep the Yellow Jumper for another day” – f…ucking priceless
Wasn’t sure where to put this but it’s cool.
Why I Ride from Fine Films on Vimeo.
@marko
Awesome.
@marko
Awesome. Best of luck to him that’s for sure.
@marko
Wow, Marko. That is amazing. To go from living in a war-torn region to dreaming about riding in the Tour. Amazing.
@marko
Nothing like a nice helping of perspective to start your day off right.
Great post Marko, thank you.
@frank
@LA Dave
@RedRanger
And aside from some lace-up commuter type shoes and questionable front skewer angle, he seems to be rule compliant. The way he rides up that little switch back is nice. A Velominatus for sure.
@marko
Beautiful – makes you realise how precious, the ability to enjoy your sport is
Not trying to sell the mag “Peloton” or anything but did anyone get Issue #5?!??!?! What an AMAZING issue! I LOVED it. Read it cover-to-cover. It came out a few months ago but I finally got my back mail. Such a great read. The interview with Lemond about his times racing on L’Alpe D’Huez was awesome as was the Chiappucci interview and the preview of the climbs in this year’s tdf. Check it out if you get the chance!
Issue 25 is at home waiting for me today. Just out of curiosity, when does it arrive for you other subscribers? I’m in Californi.
@Buck Rogers
I am thinking of subscribing. I am wondering if it is possible to order the back issues to read also.
@Buck Rogers
Will do, one of the local newsagents here gets them on slight delay so I’ve only just finished no. 4 & its articles on Coppi & Campa.
Me likey a lot!
The A Ride With George Hincapie DVD just showed up. I won’t be able to watch it until later tonight but I’ll let @all know how it is as soon as possible.
I watched ARWGH last night. If you are looking for lots of race footage and the like then this movie isn’t for you. But if you want to get an in depth look at (one of) America’s favorite cyclist then here you go. I already like Big George and this movie mad me want to have his babies.
The premise of the movie (as obvious from its title) is that you’re out on a training ride with George. All the while he is being asked questions by the interviewer. But the ride is interlaced with remarks by guest interviewees that give their take on George about the same question. The best one is when he is asked what his favorite smell is and they cut to his wife Melanie before he answers and she says “I hope he says me. The smell of my perfume.” They cut back to George and he blurts out “Bacon!” A man after my own heart.
My other favorite part of the movie is when Lance Armstrong is describing George as a quiet strong man. He goes on to say that there are guys that talk a lot and then he says that there are guys that are always crying and complaining and they cut to a shot of Dave Zabriski with a stupid look on his face. It’s pretty awesome.
All in all if you like Big George this would make a good “sitting on the trainer” in winter DVD.
@LA Dave
+1 for Its All About the Bike – the meticulous care and consideration Robert Penn put into acquiring the components for his dream bike is documented in great and entertaining detail (though the fucker should have built it up himself) along with a historic look at each bicycle component from the standpoint of its innovation and effect on the industry and society of its time. A wonderful read that can be accomplished in a single afternoon, post-ride, with a steady supply of Belgian Ale as accompaniment.
@VeloVita
What put me off getting that book was seeing the TV documentary he did to accompany it.
I don’t know what pictures he has in the book but the end result is basically the same as hundreds, if not thousands, of Roberts, Mercians and Bob Jacksons that you will find doing audaxes every weekend in the UK.
If that took meticulous care and consideration then he needs to get out a bit more.
The only difference is his bike is a horrible colour and pig-ugly.
Maybe it’s a good book but the doco was so lame I can’t bring myself to read it.
@all
I’ve decided that Le Metier should be read, of course, but is best enjoyed one season at a time, over the course of a year, read and re-read. Over and over, with each changing season. What a masterpiece.
@VeloVita
I’ve got it at home, but it’s in the queue behind a few other books. Can’t wait to get to it. Just finished Slaying the Badger. Once of cycling’s best books.
@ChrisO
Interesting perspective. Haven’t seen the documentary.
I received Le Métier as a birthday gift and can’t wait to get into it, but it’s so beautiful to behold that I don’t want to open it too far for fear of creasing the pages. I’m the same way with my issues of Rouleur.
@VeloVita
And, of course, either wash your hands and dry them thoroughly or put on white gloves before opening.
I’m stoked to get my hands on the new Team 7-Eleven book.
Does anyone else watch the beyond the peloton videos? I enjoy them with a grain of salt, realizing there is team advertising and such worked in. But this is something so interesting to watch that I wish every pro-team did it. If you watch the videos from the spring classics this season you can see some of the riders like Ferrar and Hushovd and their growing frustrations. Its a great look into the team and bike racing.