My cool bike. - book review

My Cool Bike. An inspirational guide to bikes and bike culture. by: Chris Haddon
Photography by: Lydon McNeil
160 pages

Published in 2013 by Pavillon Books
An imprint of Anova Books Company Ltd
10 Southcomb Street
London W14 ORA
www.anovabooks.com

My Cool Bike is a fun book about cycling culture. The pages of this book are full of wonderful photos and short stories about each of the subjects. The topics covered include many unique bicycle businesses, clubs, collectors, designers and riders.  Modern racing bikes are not included.

I recommend this book to anyone that loves all types of bikes. It is entertaining, informative and just plain fun. 

My Cool Bike is available most places books are sold. I buy most of my books either from the publisher directly or from Barnes & Noble (in store or online). Barnes & Noble and a used books store are the only two books stores in Winston-Salem. I support them when ever I can, because I don't want them to go away due to online shopping.

The Cycling Anthology: Volume One - Book Review

The Cycling Anthology Volume One

The Cycling Anthology: Volume One

Edited by Ellis Bacon & Lionel Birnie

Paperback - 272 pages

First Published in Great Britain in 2012 by Peloton Publishing

Yellow Jersey Press

Random House

 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road

London SW1V 2SA

www.vintage-books.co.uk

Printed in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, St Ives plc

The Cycling Anthology: Volume one is a nice book that covers many different bicycle racing subjects and history. The book is written by sixteen different writers from magazines, newspapers and books. All the contributors are english speaking and from the USA, UK and Australia. 

Each chapter is an original writing and unique to this book. Not a reprint of an earlier published articles or interviews. 

The size and structure of this book makes it great for traveling. Many single topics are covered in each section. The Cycling Anthology is great to pick up and read awhile and then come back to it later on.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in bicycle racing. It is an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the other volumes of The Cycling Anthology!

This book is available many places. I buy most of my books from either the publisher directly or Barnes and Nobles. Barnes and Nobles operates a brick and mortar store in my home town. I enjoy browsing in book stores, so I want to support them.

Rene' Herse, Book Review

Rene' Herse

Written by: Jan Heine

Published by: Bicycle Quarterly Press

2116 Western Avenue

Seattle WA 98121

www.bikequarterly.com

Copyright: 2012 

Printed in Malaysia

424 pages

Rene' Herse (1908-1976) was a constructor of fine bicycles from 1940 till his death. His bikes were most sought after by Cycletourists during the 1940s and 1950s. Herse's shop was in Paris France. He continued to manufacture and sell complete bikes through the German occupation of France during World War II. 

This fine book contains hundreds of photos of Rene' Herse's bicycles, riders and the shop where the bikes were made. Upon first examination of this book I assumed it to be a picture book with a lot of captions. When I sat down and began to read it, instead of flipping through the pages and looking at the photos, I found it to be very good reading. I enjoyed seeing the bikes and riders, but also hearing about their rides and competitions. A glimpse of life in Paris during the war is exposed while reading this book. 

Much of the information and photos contained in the book came from riders of Rene Herse bicycles. His daughter, Lyli Herse, was instrumental in Jan Heine's 10 years of research while writing this book. Lyle Herse rode and raced very successfully on her fathers bicycles and after his death continued in the production of Rene Herse Bicycles. 

This book sells for $85.00 and is a good investment and addition to any cycling library. It is my option that to truly understand bicycles one must study the history of them.  I highly recommend purchasing this book and taking the time to read and absorb it. Rene' Herse is available to purchase at 

Bicycle Quarterly Press.

Hunger; The Autobiography of Sean Kelly

Hunger; The Autobiography of Sean Kelly

320 pages, hardcover
First Published in Great Briton in 2013
 by: Peloton Publishing
2 Gladdensden Lane
St Albans , Herts AL3 7NP
Printed in and bound in England by SS Media
Click here to visit Peloton Publishing's web site.

Hunger, by Sean Kelly, tells the story of Kelly from a young age growing up on a farm through his professional bicycle racing career into retirement. 

He grew up on on a farm in rural Ireland. He was accustomed to hard work. Kelly carried on the strong work ethic of his youth throughout his training and professional racing career. 

When other riders signed lucrative contracts to race, they often would change their life style. Expensive cars and houses were often bought soon after signing.

In the book Sean Kelly describes how he lived while racing. During his years as a professional he lived in a room on a rural farm in Belgium. He rented it from an older couple. Living much as he did on his family farm in Ireland. Kelly saved his money and didn't indulged in many luxuries. 

His training and racing were much like of his youth, which was spent working on the farm or as a brick mason. The book tells of how he trained and race.

This is a great read for any fan of bicycle racing. It tells of his life while racing as well as describing the races. Be sure and read this book. 

 Click here for more on Sean Kelly.

 

Sean Kelly

The Shattered Peloton by Graham Healy, book review

The Shattered Peloton
by Graham Healy

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Published by: Breakaway Books (May 27, 2014)
• http://www.breakawaybooks.com
• Language: English
• Book Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches

The Shattered Peloton is the history of solders in World War I that had previously competed in the Tour de France. Thirty two veterans of the Tour de France fought in the war. Three solders, who had won the tour before the war began, died while fighting. 

This book starts out by recounting the 1914 Tour de France.  World War I began two days after the finish of the 1914 tour. 

Henri Desgrange, the founder and organizer of the Tour de France, wrote an editorial in red ink in l'Auto calling French men to enlist. Desgrange himself enlisted and served some time at the front, at the age of 50! Many bike racers were of the age and health to serve their country. This may be why such a large number of participants in the tour were involved in World War I. 

This is an interesting read for anyone who enjoys cycling or World War I history. This is a war that there isn't much discussion of. I have a personal interest in World War I since my father's father, Dr. CS Lawrence, was in charge of a medical unit during this war.

 Be warned before reading this book; the accounts of any war are gruesome. 

Octave Lapize, Tour de France winner, died during World War I.
Click here to learn more about Octave Lapize.

Lucien Petit-Breton, Tour de France winner, died during World War I.
Click here to learn more about Lucien Petit-Breton.

Francois Faber, Tour de France winner, died during World War I.

Click here to learn more about Francois Faber.

Depression Bums by Ken C. Wise

Depression Bums by Ken C. Wise
Copyright 1992
Manufactured in the USA
190 pages

Published by Wilderness Adventure Books

P. O. Box 856

Manchester, MI 48158

http://www.wildernessbooks.org/

This is the true story of two young men, Ken Wise and Ercel Hart, who set out on the adventure of their lives in. For eight months during the years 1933 and 1934 they traveled 2000 miles by bicycle, 1,200 miles on a cattle train and another 1,500 miles by canoe. 

Their trip took place during the years 1933 and 1934. The USA was still in a depression. Unable to find jobs and wanting to travel, Ken and Ercel headed out on bicycles with fifteen dollars apiece. Their plan was to bum around and see the country. They hoped to get to Chicago in time to visit the 1933 World's Fair. 

The pair rode bicycles 2,000 miles, from Santa Monica, California to Great Falls Montana. Their bikes were old single speed racing bicycles with skinny tires. The drop handlebars were turned up to make them more comfortable and a rack was added to the rear of each bike. Both machines were hauling thirty pounds of gear, when they started out. 

The 1,200 mile trip from Great Falls, Montana to Chicago, Illinois was made in a passenger car on a train hauling cattle. The young men were given passes on the train in return for looking after a rancher's cattle during the trip. 

Once in Chicago, Ercel was able to get a job at the World's Fair. They saved enough money while in Chicago to buy a canoe. This canoe was used to travel 1,500 miles to New Orleans, Louisiana. They both got jobs working on freight ships and eventually found their way back to Santa Monica.

Depression Bums is a great book to read for many reasons. The history of this time period and the friendliness of the people they meet along the way was enjoyable. I also liked reading about the amazing adventure of Ken Wise and Ercel Hart. If it's history, cycling, canoeing or adventure you desire to read about, this book has it all! 

The book is out of print. It is still possible to purchase used copies on line. I suggest you buy a copy and read this great book. 

It's All About The Bike: The Pursuit Of Happiness On Two Wheels, by Robert Penn

It's All About The Bike: The Pursuit Of Happiness On Two Wheels, by Robert Penn
Published by Bloomsbury USA, New York
First US Edition 2011
Printed in the USA
208 pages
First published in the UK by Particular Books in 2010

Robert Penn is a life long cyclist, who in his late twenties pedaled twenty five thousand miles around the world. He has ridden all types of bikes and commutes by bicycle to work each day.

The book is about his quest for the perfect bicycle suits his riding style. One that he will have for the rest of his life. 

Penn discusses his preference of frame and components for his dream bike and travels to various company's headquarters to buy the different parts. As he describes his visits to each manufacturer, he also tells the history of the companies and the products they make. Some of the companies he visits are Continental (for tires), Cinelli (for handlebars and stem), Campagnolo (for brakes, gears and drive train) and of course Brooks (for his saddle).

This book is a good read for any one interested in bicycles. The mix of Robert Penn's traveling quest for his perfect bike parts and cycling history make the book both entertaining and educational. I highly recommend this one.

Ride: Short fiction about bicycles: - book review

Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Ride: Short fiction about bicycles
200 Pages
Published by: Typeflow Inc. 2011
typeflow.wordpress.com
Edited by: Keith Snyder

 Ride is a collection of short stories, all of which involve bicycles. The book contains nine different stories by nine different authors. The good thing about a book of short stories is that you can read a story, put the book down, and pick it up months later and read some more without being lost. Short stories are also nice to take with you when you are traveling, or sitting in a waiting room waiting on an appointment.

I was disappointed in most of the short stories in this book. The writing was excellent. Just not my type of stories. Many of the main characters were troubled people with dark personalities. I guess I just grew up in the era when The Wonderful World of Walt Disney was on television. I like stories that end with "And they all lived happily ever after."

There is one story in the book that is really good. It is "Bob's Bike Shop" by Kent Peterson. You can read the whole story right here on this blog. Simply click here to read it! I wish I could recommend the whole book, but I can't. I do recommend reading "Bob's Bike Shop."

Wonder Wheels: The Autobiography of Eileen Sheridan

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Wonder Wheels by Eileen Sheridan
First Published by Nicholas Kaye Limited - 1956

 Re-printed in 2009 by Mercian Manuals LTD
Hardcover with 158 pages.
www,mercianmanuals.co.uk

Wonder Wheels, the Autobiography of Eileen Sheridan, tells the story of Sheridan's start in club cycling through her eventual career as a professional cyclist. The title of this book, Wonder Wheels, was also a slogan used by Hercules Cycles. She was sponsored by Hercules in the early 1950s as a professional cyclist.

 As a British cyclist during the 40s and 50s Eileen Sheridan broke all the long distance records for time trials. She broke records at 30 miles (1948: 1h 19m 28s), 50 miles (1949 and 1950: 2h 14m 16s), 100 miles (1950: 4h 37m 53s) and 12 hours (1949: 237.62 miles). Her record for 1,000 miles was 3 days and 1 hour. She also found success bicycle track racing.

Sheridan's happy personality comes through in her writing. At 4'11' she is often described as a "dainty" lady. Regardless of how tough the conditions she found herself in,while racing and breaking distance records, Sheridan always smiled and kept a positive attitude. 

She gives the details of her cycling years through the 1956 in the book. Not mentioned in the book are the hardships during World War II that she surely had to endure. 

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun book to read that also tells an amazing story. This book can be hard to find, but well worth the search. Click here for more information on Eileen Sheridan.

On Bicycles: 50 Ways the New Bike Culture Can Change Your Life - edited by Amy Walker

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On Bicycles: 50 Ways the New Bike Culture Can Change Your Life
edited by Amy Walker
First Printed : September 2011
Published by: New World Library
www.newworldlibrary.com
Paperback - 384 pages
Printed in Canada on 100%  post consumer waste recycled paper

On Bicycles: 50 Ways The New Bike Culture Can Change Your Life is a book about the use of bicycles for transportation. It is comprised of 50 chapters written by 33 different authors. The book covers topics such as the history of bike advocacy, folding bikes, car free streets, bicycle commuting, the bike-craft boom, bike parking and many more.

The book is edited by Amy Walker. Amy Walker is a lifetime cyclist who started riding to school at the age of 16 and just never stopped as a means of transportation and pleasure. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia and is the co-founder of Momentum Magazine.

This is a great travel book. The chapters of On Bicycles are each an interesting read by themselves. If you don't have time to sit down and read a large chunk of the book, you can read a chapter or two and come back to the book at another time. All the chapters of the book are informational and motivating. 

Reading this book just makes you want to go out and ride your bike. It reveals the fun and positive impact cycling has on our communities and the world. This is a good book for anyone to read, regardless if the reader is interested in transportaion cycling or not.

Click here to visit the On Bicycles web site.
Click here to visit the Momentum Magazine web site.