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heidi_mcj's review against another edition
4.0
Very well written and inspiring book. I successfully used the plans in this books to complete a metric century this summer.
tracyk22's review against another edition
3.0
I wish I had come across this book when I first started riding- would have saved me a lot of trial and error. Still, a lot of good tips for training on and off the bike. And I liked the section on the benefits of cycling such as relieving depression, PMS, and fatigue- so true.
minnemiska's review against another edition
3.0
Designed for novices, and sort of written like a fitness magazine article. But I picked up a few new tidbits. Contains some good training plans too.
cassdcamp's review against another edition
4.0
Great for the beginning cycler, like me. It seems to appeal to all levels, though. Great info on everything from buying a bike and gear to form to nutrition. Easy to read and practical
antidietleah's review against another edition
3.0
This is a pretty good basic guide to cycling. It's written in lament terms and she has a sense of humor so it makes it easy to get through but I don't think it could/should ever replace hands on learning and using your local bike gurus as resources.
I found the first third of the book to be especially helpful - basics about different bike styles, how to figure out what bike is right for you, the basic components, essential gear.
The middle third was mostly training plans that I skipped nearly completely. This book tends to assume that cycling will be your primary exercise and the training plans tend to you have you riding 5-6 days a week during peak season. It isn't ideal for me between running and lifting but it would be helpful for people that plan to be avid cyclist. It also has different types of rides integrated into the schedule and honestly, it is pretty much exactly like my running programs - speed-work, easy, and long rides and gradually work your way up in time and distance. It's not really rocket science to me since I am familiar with training plans but it could be useful to others and if I ever decided to do a century or something, I may refer back to it.
The last third had some supplemental information about strength training, cross training, nutrition, weight loss, and ends with some maintenance tips that I couldn't wrap my head around without having a bike right there in front of me.
I found the first third of the book to be especially helpful - basics about different bike styles, how to figure out what bike is right for you, the basic components, essential gear.
The middle third was mostly training plans that I skipped nearly completely. This book tends to assume that cycling will be your primary exercise and the training plans tend to you have you riding 5-6 days a week during peak season. It isn't ideal for me between running and lifting but it would be helpful for people that plan to be avid cyclist. It also has different types of rides integrated into the schedule and honestly, it is pretty much exactly like my running programs - speed-work, easy, and long rides and gradually work your way up in time and distance. It's not really rocket science to me since I am familiar with training plans but it could be useful to others and if I ever decided to do a century or something, I may refer back to it.
The last third had some supplemental information about strength training, cross training, nutrition, weight loss, and ends with some maintenance tips that I couldn't wrap my head around without having a bike right there in front of me.
epersonae's review against another edition
1.0
Not really what I need in a cycling book. Definitely oriented towards "serious" road riding/racing, with the largest portion of the book dedicated to creating a training regimen.
However: I did get some useful tips on turning better (like Zoolander, I have a hard time turning left), climbing hills, and pedaling more effectively. I'm getting some nice speed bursts now with not that much more effort.
However: I did get some useful tips on turning better (like Zoolander, I have a hard time turning left), climbing hills, and pedaling more effectively. I'm getting some nice speed bursts now with not that much more effort.
kerrynicole72's review against another edition
5.0
I essentially read this book in one sitting from cover to cover. I just bought a Specialized "Ruby" and then thought, hmm, is this the right bike for me? It turns out it is, and now I know why. Yay. This is a great book geared towards the novice. Was very pleased.
meghan_is_reading's review against another edition
pretty much what I was looking for, minus the fat loss talk (endemic Jesus Christ)
tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
3.0
Every bicycling book has something useful, this one included. Yeager covers some issues that even many "beginner" books skip, assuming everyone already knows how to ride a bike: a section at the beginning on more effective pedaling, dealing with hills, and obstacle avoidance; and one at the end on proper ride nutrition are epecially helpful.
However, I am not this book's target audience, as I realized the first time (of many) that Yeager referred to cycling as "your sport". Cycling is not my "sport". It is my transportation and sometimes my recreation. But I have no interest in racing or in riding a century or a multi-day charity ride, which led to my skipping vast swathes of the book's middle.
I have a "take what I need and leave the rest" attitude toward most cycling books. This one has some very high-quality "what I need" but an awful lot of "the rest".
However, I am not this book's target audience, as I realized the first time (of many) that Yeager referred to cycling as "your sport". Cycling is not my "sport". It is my transportation and sometimes my recreation. But I have no interest in racing or in riding a century or a multi-day charity ride, which led to my skipping vast swathes of the book's middle.
I have a "take what I need and leave the rest" attitude toward most cycling books. This one has some very high-quality "what I need" but an awful lot of "the rest".
weeta's review
3.0
great for fitness/racing information. accessible and practical tips for any other kind of cycling or every day biking. the last straw was "leave the most of the maintenance to the boys," when I had picked up this book for a better understanding of how my bike works.
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