Cycling Books For Summer and Fall Reading

As the summer begins to dwindle we find ourselves spending the hot afternoons on weekends waiting out the heat  so we can ride some more. While waiting for the day to cool down we often pass the time by reading a book.  Here are a few recommendations for bike oriented books we have been reading this summer. Most of these books are available at local book retailers or on the respective authors website.

Joyride- If you know that Portland, Oregon is the most bike friendly city in America, you may or may not know it didn't happen over night. Mia Burk, the former Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator for Portland writes about building Portland into what we know it as today. The book chronicles her struggles and victories educating citizens on the benefits of cycling while convincing city officials bike lanes are worth it.

Metal Cowboy- Written by Joe Kermaski, Metal Cowboy is a compilation stories from his numerous bike tours around America. The book includes reflections from his childhood and stories about the people he meets along the way.

Just Ride- If you are familiar with Rivendell bikes you might know the mastermind behind their beautiful lugged frames and practitioner of practical cycling, Grant Peterson. Frame designer, wool enthusiast, bike industry veteran and author, Peterson offers his velosophies to cyclists who want to enjoy riding their bikes while using them as a tool for daily transportation and a source of joy. You can pick up a new wool sweater and a copy of his book on the Rivendell website.

Merckx:Half Man, Half Bike- Eddy Merckx is one of the most prolific cyclists in history, but the man from Belgium didn't start out that way.William Fotheringham writes an honest and openly about The Cannibal in this memoir that will have racers and commuters falling in love with the man from Belgium.

A Dog In A Hat- Not all bike racing is the same, and not all cyclists are willing to write about their experiences racing during a time when doping was rampant, bikes were heavy, and cheating was par for the course. Joe Parkin opens up about his time as a kermesse racer in Belgium and how it forever changed his life.  

True Fans- Dan Austin didn't set out to write a book about bike touring when a wrote True Fans. He set out to write about being on the road and the magic that exists when you pick your bike and ride coast to coast in search of stories to tell about America. If you are itching to bike tour, True Fans will get your itchy feet in your cycling shoes and make you take to the open road.

Zin And The Art of Road Bike Maintenance- Learning how to fix your bike yourself can be rewarding and fun. Using youtube video's may be convenient, but they don't always offer correct information. Author, Lennard Zinn is a renowned frame builder and journalist who has put his years in the cycling industry to good use by writing a complete guides to fixing your bike yourself. Thought you may think your Park Tools Blue Book has all the information you need, Zinn lays out what you need to know in a conversational tone that is insightful and educational (read the chapter on getting a seat post unstuck).

The Feed Zone- A cookbook is a cookbook, is a cookbook --Unless you find yourself burning an exorbitant amount of calories while riding a bike. If you are a cyclists who is training for racing or just a commuter that is looking into a more health conscious diet, check out Dr.Lim's Feed Zone cookbook. As the nutritionist for multiple pro teams, Lim teams up with Chef Bijou Thomas to create food that is healthy, tasty, and incredibly easy to make.

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