There are going to be times when you either can't be bothered getting on your bike (say you've got a cold, or jet lag, or eaten too much) and other times when you just can't fit it in (on a flight, business trip, waiting to pick up kids). When you experience times like these, I sometimes find it helps to read about cycling, so even if you're not sweating, you can at least pretend to yourself that you are preparing for the étape. I don't plan to write detailed reviews of the books below, just a few of my personal observations; but I have linked the reviews from amazon back to the book title so feel free, indulge yourself in a book on an evening when you simply can't get your leg over the top bar....
 For those of you who read the UK Sunday Times, you may be familiar with Mr Kimmage - he is a quality journalist and in his previous life he was a tour pro. This book gives an insight to the un-glamourous end of the peleton: the domestiques who perform the grunt work and who, at Mr Kimmage's time, earned a pittance for their efforts. Really well written, you'll read this cover to cover quickly.  I'll be honest with you, I read the first couple of chapters of this book and didn't get it. However, I persevered and it really grew on me - you can just imagine this reasonably unfit guy setting off each day to take on the world. Some of the phrases he comes out with will have you laughing out loud and the camaradery he encounters along the way is what cycling is, or should be, all about.  Lance's first autobiography, covering his early years, the cancer years and then his first two Tour victories. This book gives you a clear idea of the sacrifices his mum made, he made and then his family made as he went on his quest to beat cancer and win Le Tour. What really shone through to me was the absolute single-mindedness that professional athletes need to be at the absolute top of their game: this, I believe, is the difference between regular podium finishers and the rest of the peleton: you have to give up your life to get to the top.
 The second instalment of Lance's story, most likely soon to become a third instalment. Continuing sacrifices, including his marriage, and also now a paranoia (perhaps justified?) of the French media and the French establishment. I wonder if he'll finish higher than any French cyclist in Le Tour this year?
|  Richard Moore was a semi professional Scottish cyclist who turned journalist. This book covers the rise and rise of British (track) Cycling from their disaster in the Atlanta Games to their unprecedented success at the World Championships in Manchester in 2008, immediately pre-Beijing. I see that the publishers have now replaced the front cover with a photo of Chris Hoy, who is a central character to the book, but don't expect too much history of Sir Chris: this book covers the re-organisation and refinement of the hierarchy of the establishment and the facilities in the UK. Another easy reader.
 This book, also by the excellent Richard Moore who rights in a down to earth style, covers the life and times of the UK greatest Grand Tour rider to date (though Cavendish is coming...).
 If you read this book with an open mind about Mr Landis, you'll really believe that he did not cheat. I was at the side of the road that day, on the climb to Avoriaz with my son and I really want to believe him, but can't because both of his samples were positive. However, it is a good read, giving you an idea of how he pulled himself out of a super-religious family, let his rebel streak shine through and then become a cycling champion, only to spoil it by getting caught cheating. He's coming back this year, but not for a "big" team.
 This one has similarities to French Revolutions, but whereas Tim Moore appears to have been an occasional cyclist, it seems Mr Howard was more in shape; similar story, similar style but out of the two of these books I slightly prefer this one - again some of the phrases he uses when he is hitting pain are so true.
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