Books About Bikes
Since I started using my tablet for daily reading, I’ve collected a great library and some good bicycling books have shown up in my feed.
Mindful Thoughts for Cyclists by Nick Moore is among a series of “Mindful Thoughts” books by different authors with such subjects as walking, cooking and birdwatching. This is a really nice feel-good book, with plenty of cute illustrations.
In the chapter “The Rain it Raineth”, I found a great quote by author Alfred Wainwright, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” How true this is. It can be fun to ride through a rainstorm in the summer heat, but to be caught off guard and unprepared can be a nightmare.
From the chapter “Finding the Upside of Punctures”:“Restoring Self-Sufficiency…A puncture is one thing we’re still able to fix ourselves, using basic tools and inexpensive parts we can carry with us. Sore thumbs, oil-stains and arriving home a bit later than planned are a small price to pay for the warm sense of self-sufficiency that comes from getting yourself and your faithful companion back on the road. From disaster, triumph; from defeat, victory; from despair, hope and faith renewed.”
Another series I discovered is by Eben Weiss, or the person more commonly referred to as Bike Snob NYC.
In “The Enlightened Cyclist”, I really enjoyed the author’s sarcastic commentary, as well as his ability to make fun of oneself. I myself am guilty of loudly swearing at the occasional motorist, pedestrian, scooter rider or other inconsiderate travelers.
On the subject of arriving at a red light on a bike in the city, from The Enlightened Cyclist by Eben Weiss
…Meanwhile, as I wait, I am joined by more cyclists. “Finally, my people!” I think to myself. However, instead of stopping behind me, or even next to me, the first rider comes to a stop in front of me. Then, the next one comes to a stop in front of her, and so forth, until they’re practically blocking the intersection. The ones on fixed-gear bicycles attempt to trackstand, with varying degrees of success. Somehow, even though I arrived at the light first, I’m now the last in line. It’s almost as if all these other riders are participating in some kind of commuter “alleycat” (a “practicalitycat” perhaps?) and have conspired to block me in their quest for glory…
Just Ride A Radically Practical Guide to Riding your Bike by Grant Petersen
A no nonsense straight forward guide book with a little attitude.
“Riding thirty minutes is a bigger pat on the back than riding seven miles, although they may be the same ride. In the same way, a three-mile climb that gains a thousand feet and takes thirty minutes sounds way better when you talk about the feet or minutes instead of the miles.”
I find myself using this same mindset. I’ll sign up for a 6 mile virtual ride. Nearing the finish, I decide to continue on and round up my ride to 30 minutes. Then when coming up on 30 minutes, I think 10 miles is a better goal, then from there move onto 45 or 60 minutes and could just go on forever…
This book would make a great gift for any cyclist!
I hope to have another updated post after I discover more great bike books!
