Books about Cyclists from Amazon.com

In this brutally frank book, Joe Parkin puts readers in the whirlwind of the extreme world of professional bicycling, starting with his first visit to his team doctor, where, strapped to a metal table and monitored by humming electrodes, his future as a professional racer is coldly determined. Parkin pulls no punches, celebrating the glory of bike racing at its best, but also exploring the harsh reality of the life behind it. The author covers it all from an insider's perspective: the drugs, the payoffs, the races bought and paid for, the misery of training, the physical agony of racing, the battles with team owners for contracts and money, the endless promises, and the betrayals by enemies, teammates, and friends. Set in Belgium, the epicenter of all that's daunting and dazzling about the sport,A Dog in a Hat is one American's story of his love affair with professional cycling.

Since the publication of the first edition of the only cycling-specific weight training book on the market, time spent in the gym has become a standard part of every cyclist’s training schedule. This new edition, with updated material on core strength and nutrition, brings together the most current research on strength building and the most recent and effective equipment innovations. Authors Ken Doyle and Eric Schmitz explain clearly how strength training in the weight room translates to endurance and power on the road. How should an athlete fit weight training into an already demanding cycling program? How does the approach to lifting change from the beginning of the season to the end? Which exercises are best on what days? How many repetitions are needed? Doyle and Schmitz address all these questions and more in easily grasped, lucid language. More than 60 exercises are illustrated and described in detail, and ten sample programs guide riders through their season.

In this fascinating book, award-winning sports writer Matt Rendell covers every corner of "La Grande Boucle," from the eccentric couture of the first Tour winner (white blazer, black trousers, wool socks) to the earliest method of cheating (riding the train). Blazing Saddles recounts the famous rivalries and riders that contested the Tour, setting the score straight with complete records of every podium finisher. Rendell's vivid storytelling is complemented with more than 100 classic black-and-white photographs, portraying cycling's heroes and martyrs from Jacques Anquetil to Lance Armstrong.

Cyclists of any age, experience, skill, and talent level can reach their full potential as both athlete and individual by training their bodies and minds for athletic competition. Ultrafit coach Thomas Chapple shows how with this practical guide. Based on the idea that success depends on the extent to which cyclists build their foundation of aerobic fitness, or their "base," for the road ahead, the book explains step-by-step how to build a bigger aerobic engine, work up to higher volumes, and make significant improvements in strength, endurance, and speed.

This smart training diary makes it easy for cyclists to record every component of cycling workouts. Details of each cycling, crosstraining, or strength workout are accommodated, with ample space for notes on the route or other variables such as weather conditions. Power, heart rate, and exertion readings are critical indicators, as are other personal vital signs including sleep, fatigue, stress, and soreness. For athletes who are designing their own annual plan, Cyclist's Training Diary provides a guide to planning the entire season.