When my trusty green Morrison Monark got stolen from the school bike racks in 7th form, I didn’t want to get another. Like most 17 year olds, I was more interested in cars, and how they’d get me to places I could get away from my parents and drunk than anything two wheels could offer.
Fast forward to when I was living in Dublin in 2000, and trying to figure out how to get to work – it was time to buy another bike, and after whizzing down the road, hopping on and off the pavement, unconstrained by buses timetables, routes or stopping at red lights, I felt like a kid again. And I haven’t been off a bike since.
Bike Snob is, mainly, about that feeling of being a little kid again. While the acerbic cycling blog Bike Snob NYC that gave birth to this book takes down the hip, pretentious or altogether too serious aspects of cycling in hilarious fashion with razor sharp observation and wit, Bike Snob the book is a more gentle meander.
Bike Snob wants you to ride your bike, and tries to evoke some of the obvious joy he takes in riding, explaining the benefits, mentally as well as physically, and gives a little history as well. He debunks a few of the myths surrounding cycling as well, like riding in traffic, bike fitting and maintenace. Essentially, riding a bike is a pretty simple activity / pastime / sport / whatever – Bike Snob wants to see you get out there and enjoy it for yourself, making a compelling argument that the world would be a better place if more people rode bikes.
There’s a few hipster take downs chucked in for for fans of the blog, as well as a hilarious section on cycling sub-cultures and how they get along (or not), and the whole book is illustrated with some fantastic drawings. There’s even some Bike Snob stickers for your fixie. Highly recommended.
Get it postage free from Book Depository.
Here’s a great example of a hipster take down from BSNYC.
Oi, what’s this about wanting a car to get away from your parents??
Ozzy, I’m not sure about this one, I read elsewhere that any motorised bike use would more likely be in the early stages of a race, to conserve energy, with the bike being swappped for a normal one later. It would be too risky to take a motorised bike to the finish, and risk it being discovered. That and the fact it’s so loud! It just seems too unlikely to me. Apparantly bikes are to be x-rayed at this years’ TDF on the back of this, so no pesky motors will ruin that one 🙂
Sorry to comment on something that has nothing to do with the above book but a question.
As a regular I sense you have a fascination with cycling. I am a poor triathlete so enjoy getting out on the bike.
Whats your take on this
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/3831533/Motor-doping-crackdown
Is it a real issue??? what about the video?? Would enjoy your comments