Just finished reading David Millar's book 'racing through the dark' a good read and gave me a better understanding about how EPO works and how riders could get away with using it. I am still not keen on drugs cheats getting a second chance, if you gave life bans to those you caught then the deterrent might help drive drugs away (or am I being naive). At least Millar has tried to face up to his responsibilities and make a difference.
If you like cycling then its a good read,I have had a look and their are loads of other cycling books be good if someone could help me narrow it down a bit, any recommendations?
Racing through the dark
posted on 19/9/12
How i won the yellow jumper is a good read and v funny in bits. I have just finished reading " Slaying the badger" which was enjoyable too. I have just started reading laurent Fignon's autobiography " We were young and carefree". Its pretty good so far although the translation seems a little iffy at times.
I have also bought Nicolas Roches book " inside the peleton" and William Fotheringhams's book " Roule Britannia", a history of British cyclists in the TDF. The best cycling book I have read though is " In search of Robert Millar" by Richard Moore. fascinating read about a great cyclist and up until Brad Wiggins our most successful in the TDF. Well worth a buy.
posted on 19/9/12
re the bans for doping, i don't think there should be life bans , everyone makes mistakes and look at David Millar, but it should be more than the current 2 years. 4 years seems reasonable.
posted on 19/9/12
Thanks Fraziel, the Robert Millar book is another I have looked at, I remember him when he cycled for the Z team mainly because they had pretty crazy cycling jerseys; strange what you remember from your childhood. Weird rumors a few years back about him having a gender change as well. I would certainly like to learn some more though, as you say he achieved a lot and from what I can see never really got any credit.
I can see that life bans would be harsh but cycling seems to have a real merry go round of riders being banned and returning in no time at all e.g Contador.
posted on 20/9/12
Another decent book, not a biography or a pro riders memoirs but a book about one guys journey through cycling obsession.
If you are a cycling nut like myself then you may enjoy it and may chuckle along as you realise half of what he says can apply to you too.
Its called Obsessive Compulsive Cycling Disorder and its by Dave Barter.
posted on 20/9/12
oOg don't want to spoil the ending but the butler did it
========================================
why is it always the butler!?1
posted on 22/9/12
Been to the library today and now got both 'slaying the badger' and 'in search of Robert Millar' on order; thanks all.
posted on 5/10/12
I have just downloaded Tyler Hamilton's book The Secret Race, will let you know what its like once I finish it, which is after I finish David Millers book!
posted on 22/10/12
Thanks o0g, finally received 'slaying the badger' so gonna get that started. Let me know about Hamilton's book looks like what he has said about Armstrong has changed the history of cycling, what with Lance loosing all his tour titles today.
posted on 26/10/12
Fraz,the Robert Millar book's a good read. I enjoyed Armstrong's "It's Not About The Bike",but of course,that was a while ago,before his deceit was exposed. His battle against cancer story is still amazing,even though we now know it may have been caused/accelerated by performance enhancing drugs.
posted on 13/11/12
Just finished reading Nicolas Roche's book. Very good read and well written too.We were young a carefree was excellent as well.