Comments on: Reading and riding: Christmas books special

By: The Literary Pedaller « flamme rouge

The Literary Pedaller « flamme rouge — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:57:57 +0000

[...] Postscript – there is a wonderful podcast involving an interview between Tim Dawson and Jack Thurston of Resonance FM, here. [...]

By: Derek Shaw

Derek Shaw — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:19:44 +0000

I enjoyed Cycling Back to Happiness by Bernie Friend. He describes Northern Europe very well and the book seems to be a magnet for the curious and quirky, and refreshingly not blown out of proportion, like some irritating writers.
It’s also got a decent back story, dealing with mental health on the road. Best of all it is a book about a man who hasn’t cycled since he was a child and just decides to get on a bike for an adventure. So much better than all that sweaty training and macho Spandex. I was hoping he might have written another.

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:13:11 +0000

I’d like to recommend Biki byCharlie Woods which reminded me of why cycling is so great, and got me back onto a road bike after many many years. It’s hilarious and for me nails the core of why people ride road bikes for fun.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bikie-Affair-Racing-Bicycle-Mainstream/dp/1840186577/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:13:19 +0000

Knowing Tim (and his passion for well written cycle books) it was great to hear him on the podcast. A great show and I very much enjoyed hearing Tim’s opinions of the selected books. He has now lent me “Need For The Bike” which I had not heard of until your serialisation on the show.
P.S. Does it make a me a bad person if I listen to your show whilst driving to work? My excuse being that it fills the “cycling void” between my weekend rides.

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:19:00 +0000

@ Hercule: Of course, you're right. As was Tim! Thanks for remembering Eleanor Bron. I've not read her book but it's on the list. I absolutely agree about The Third Policeman. We discussed this somewhat on the books show in 2007.

By: Hercule

Hercule — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:48:52 +0000

I think the Moulton riding cyclist you confused with Anne Mustoe was Eleanor Bron; and I think Anne Mustoe favoured Condors.

Not exactly a cycling book, but full of much truth about the natures of bicycles and bicyclists, is Flann O’Brien’s The Third Policeman. I don’t know how many times I’ve read my copy.

By: Neil

Neil — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 09:36:22 +0000

No longer in print sadly but The Penguin Book of the Bicycle by Watson & Gray is still a quality read. Was given it as a Christmas present when I was 13 or 14.. so some of the tech info is dated but the basics are still so true.

By: Sean haigh

Sean haigh — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:43:08 +0000

Great Show
My top 2 books
Agree with John the Monkey Flying Scotsman,Graeme Obree is a hugely sad but inspiring autobiography of the strong but fragile cyclist.
In search of Robert Millar, Richard Moore ,great book telling the story of one of the great climbers of the 80s ,could not put it down.

By: Neil

Neil — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:23:59 +0000

My first bike I bought with my own money was an ANC Halfords race replica. I must track down a copy of Wide-eyed and Legless. Great show btw!

By: John the Monkey

John the Monkey — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:37:04 +0000

I’d not finished it in time to make it a recommendation, but Graeme Obree’s “The Flying Scotsman” is very good, not least for its almost painful honesty about his depression.

By: Tim Dawson

Tim Dawson — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:14:33 +0000

The Byrne book is ok, although if you are not intrinsically fascinated by the author, then you might find it a bit thin. It is what it says on the cover – a diary. I got bored of him hitching up with people that he considered cool, but he didn’t tell me quite enough about to make them fascinate me. On the other hand, his cycle advocacy events, about which I only vaguely knew, sounded great and I was interested to learn more.

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:53:59 +0000

@Pete: Did you hear Johnny on the show a few years ago? http://thebikeshow.net/25-july-show-johnny-green/

@Adam: It’s on the list but just didn’t get time. I might have read it sooner if David Byrne’s PR people had accepted my invitation to do a rolling interview over the summer when he was in London!

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:41:01 +0000

Has anyone read David Byrne’s Bicycle Diaries? Tempted to get it but not sure.

By: NickM

NickM — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:32:20 +0000

Another favorite of mine, “The Masked Rider”, by Neil Peart. Touring by bike in Cameroon, warts and all.

By: Pete

Pete — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:05:35 +0000

I’d like to recommend Push Yourself Just a Little Bit More by Johnny Green. I really enjoyed his alternative, fresh to the press room view, punky passion for the event and stream of consciousness descriptions.
I’ll need to dig around for a copy of Richard’s Bicycle Book, Thanks for the tips, good show.

By: Timo

Timo — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:39:39 +0000

Great show again, thanks. Now there’s something to do in those dark and long winter nights. First I’ll try find some of those books and then read them.