I enjoyed Ned Boulting's "How I won the yellow jumper", it goes from the time he was given the job of presenting the TdF coverage for ITV, and all the on-the-job learning that he had to do. He seems quite an affable chap on the box, and this comes through in the book - and it's also a good take on the past few years in the TdF.

Another one is "The Hour" by Cycling Weekly contributor Michael Hutchinson, about his attempt at the hour distance record. It's very interesting to read about what sort of preparation goes into these attempts, all the frustrations with the UCI and bike manufacturers and the constant trips to the Velodrome at ungodly hours. It's quite humorous as well.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

I am currently reading David Millars book too, so will be good to discuss once I have finished.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I do like Ned he seems to have a genuine interest and love of cycling and is a good part of the excellent tour coverage.

I had read something about 'slaying the badger' on amazon and it was very highly rated so I think i will start there. I remember the end of Lemonds career and he was a real tough rider, have heard a lot of pundits talk about Hinault but know pretty much nothing about him. Will be good to read about a subject where I'm learning as I go. Have to finish reading 'Friday night Lights' first, not a big american football fan but a really interesting look at small town america and their obsession with high school football.

Happy to discuss the book when you finish oOg don't want to spoil the ending but the butler did it

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.

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.

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.

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.

oOg don't want to spoil the ending but the butler did it
========================================
why is it always the butler!?1

Been to the library today and now got both 'slaying the badger' and 'in search of Robert Millar' on order; thanks all.

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!

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.

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.

Just finished reading Nicolas Roche's book. Very good read and well written too.We were young a carefree was excellent as well.