The intimate biography of the charismatic Tour de France winner Marco Pantani, now updated to include the 2014 and 2015 investigation into Pantani's death. National Sporting Club Book of the Year Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 'An exhaustively detailed and beautiful book . . . a fitting, ambivalent tribute - to the man, and to the dark heart of the sport he loved' Independent On Valentine's day 2004, Marco Pantani was found dead in a cheap hotel. It defied belief: Pantani, having won the rare double of the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France in 1998, was regarded as the only cyclist capable of challenging Lance Armstrong's dominance. Only later did it emerge that Pantani had been addicted to cocaine since 1999. Drawing on his personal encounters with Pantani, as well as exclusive access to his psychoanalysts, and interviews with his family and friends, Matt Rendell has produced the definitive account of an iconic sporting figure.

THE SUNDAY TIMES NO.1 BESTSELLER What makes a man the greatest of all time? Eddy Merckx is to cycling what Muhammad Ali is to boxing or Pele to football: quite simply, the best there has ever been. Merckx was a machine. It wasn't just the number of victories (445); it was his remorseless domination that created the legend. He didn't just beat his opponents, he crushed them. But his triumphs only tell half a story that includes horrific injury, a doping controversy and tragedy. He was nicknamed 'The Cannibal' for his insatiable appetite for victory, but the moniker did scant justice to a man who was handsome, sensitive and surprisingly anxious. Britain's leading cycling writer, William Fotheringham, goes back to speak to those who were there at the time and those who knew Merckx best to find out what made Eddy Merckx so invincible. 'The full unvarnished of one man's heaven, and hell, on wheels' Independent

Biking inspires millions of people around the world, with an ever-growing fan base. With some 200 colour and black-and-white photographs, Icons of Cycling captures the thrill and fascination of this sport on two wheels. Compiling the work of some of the best cycling photographers, the book breathes the spirit of cycling - as close and emotional as if the viewer were part of the race. Discover extraordinary shots of the peloton winding along alpine serpentines; exhausted athletes at the end of a stage; and unknown heroes from the team behind the team. A microcosm of ambition and passion, pain and glory, this is both a photographic artwork and a contemporary document of a thriving sport. A cherished collector's item for every cycle enthusiast.

From the earliest "velocipedes" through the advent of the pneumatic tire to the rise of modern road and track competition, this comprehensive history of the sport of bicycle racing traces its role in the development of bicycle technology between 1868 and 1903. Providing detailed technical information along with biographies of racers and other important personalities, the author examines the Golden Age of the bicycle as a precursor to the automobile industry.

In 1996 Danish cycling legend Bjarne Riis won the Tour de France. Eleven years later he called a press conference and confessed to taking performance-enhancing drugs in order to achieve the ultimate cycling triumph. In Riis, his sensational autobiography - already an acclaimed bestseller in Denmark and Germany - the notoriously private Dane bares his soul. From the shy, young daydreamer who fell in love with cycling as an eight-year-old, to the hardened, regular user of banned blood booster EPO. While never shirking the seriousness of his actions Riis does attempt to explain the pressures and attitudes within cycling at the time that let him down a dark path that he now condemns. Brutally honest and as furiously fast-paced as one of his breakaways from the peleton, Riis is a powerful insight into the life and mind of one of the sport's key figures as well as a window into the world of professional road racing. There are not many people who have been involved in cycling to the extent that Riis has over the last 30 years and readers will be surprised by how open the normally taciturn Dane has been in his autobiography. If you liked Fignon's We Were Young and Carefree this book will certainly appeal to you.

Founded in 1955, the Rough-Stuff Fellowship is the world's oldest off-road cycling club. Its archive contains thousands of stunning images, hand-drawn maps and documents - an unexpected treasure trove of incredible value and beauty that is now being brought to a wider public by Isola Press. The photos are evocative of a bygone age and a bygone style - a time when you might set off on a bike ride wearing a shirt and tie or a bobble hat, and no ride was complete without a stop to brew up some tea and smoke a pipe. They are also a record of intrepid adventures. RSF riders explored the Lake District, the Cairngorms, the Alps and further afield, and their exploits were beautifully documented by amateur and professional photographers. In their own very British way, these men and women were pioneers, pedalling and carrying their bikes where angels feared to tread. Mountain bikes, gravel bikes, adventure bikes all owe them a debt. This book celebrates their style and their spirit. It is a stunning visual resource of cycling heritage that will inspire new adventures.

The 1061km Loire Cycle Route starts at the source of the River Loire in the Massif Central mountains of central France and finishes at the Atlantic opposite St Nazaire. It descends past extinct volcanoes, crater lakes and deep gorges before joining EuroVelo route 6, followed by the fully waymarked Loire a Velo, France's most popular cycle trail. Following the river downstream in 26 stages, the route is generally downhill or level, often on dedicated traffic-free cycle tracks. Packed with a wealth of useful information - from practical planning advice to fascinating insights about the river and its surroundings - the guidebook features detailed route descriptions and informative mapping. Details of facilities and places to stay, and a French glossary, are also included. The route goes through the heart of France as the Loire becomes the royal river, bounded by extravagant chateaux, fields of Charolais cattle and vineyards. It passes through historic cities like Orleans and Tours, continuing past Angers and France's fourth largest city Nantes to finish on the Atlantic coast.

Hidden in and around Denver are some great roads, trails, and bike paths that are fun to explore. Best Easy Bike Rides Denver describes 18 great rides in the metro area. With most rides between 5 and 30 miles-including road rides, rail trails, bike paths, and mountain bike rides-it's easy to find an interesting place to ride. Each route includes complete directions, a map, a text description of the area you'll be riding, and GPS coordinates of the start/finish point. Look inside to find: - Detailed maps and directions - Rides for everyone, including families - In-depth information about each ride, including length, terrain, traffic conditions, and road hazards - Interesting facts about each area

In the ninth addition to his bestselling "Fifty Places" series, author Chris Santella is back at it again, this time exploring the world on bikes with Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die. Biking has grown increasingly popular in recent years, as both a leisure and extreme exercise activity and Chris cover trips for cyclists of every level. Fifty Places to Bike covers environments as varied as the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia, the Tour de Tuli through Botswana, and the urban jungle of New York City. With a healthy mix of international and national locations, the fifty chapters capture breathtaking vistas cyclists will enjoy around the world. As always the places are brought to life with more than 40 stunning colour photographs.

"South East Mountain Biking Ridgeway and Chilterns" - a compact guide to some of the best mountain biking in Southern England, west of London.The Chilterns and the area either side of the Ridgeway west of London are criss-crossed with byways and bridleways, allowing you to escape onto fine woodland tracks and out into big open chalk country, with panoramic views over the Vale of the White Horse and the Thames Valley.This guide contains 24 routes from 18 to 38km long, many of which can be linked to make much longer ridges. Each is described with easy-to-follow directions and details of distance, grade of difficulty, refreshment stops and is accompanied by specifically designed mapping.The Bonus Section includes top tens for climbs and descents, and suggestions for 'Mega Rides' with further information about finding places to eat, drink and stay. The routes are drawn up by Nick Cotton, author of over 30 cycle guides, plotted on bespoke maps and illustrated with stunning photography by Andy Heading.

This book offers a critical examination of existing cycling structures and the current policy and practices used to promote cycling. An international range of contributors provide an interdisciplinary analysis of the complex cultural politics of infrastructural provision and interrogate the pervasive bias against cyclists in city planning and transport systems across the globe. Infrastructural planning is revealed to be an intensely political act and its meaning variable according to larger political processes and contexts. The book also considers questions surrounding safety and risk, urban space wars and sustainable futures, connecting this to broader questions about citizenship and justice in contemporary cities.

"The Curse of the Rainbow Jersey "is a peculiar lens on the history of professional cycling. It examines the infamous curse associated with wearers of the tunic awarded to the winner of the World Cycling Championships.

The opening chapters look at how the curse originated with the death of Stan Ockers in 1955, other famous sports curses (including Curse of the Bambino, the US Masters Par 3 curse, and the curse placed on the Australian soccer team by a witch doctor), and also the history of the world cycling championships.

The main body of the book is comprised of chapters dedicated to particular wearers of the rainbow jersey who were struck by misfortune, personal tragedy, or death. Examples include Paolo Bettini, whose brother died in a car crash on the way to a party to celebrate Paolo's win; Jean-Pierre Monsere, who died in a race while wearing the jersey; and Tommy Simpson, who died while racing two years after being crowned champion.

The ill fortune visited upon wearers of the rainbow jersey is bizarre and tragic; but is it anything more than random chance? The final chapter of the book evaluates whether this level of bad luck is higher than for any other sample of humanity.

A chilling look at the history of cycling, sure to fascinate any fan of the sport.

Graham Healy is a cyclist and journalist living in Dublin, Ireland.

In The Power Meter Handbook, Joe Friel offers cyclists and triathletes a simple user's guide to using a power meter for big performance gains. In simple language, the most trusted coach in endurance sports makes understanding a power meter easy, no advanced degrees or tech savvy required. Cyclists and triathletes will master the basics to reveal how powerful they are. Focusing on their most important data, they'll discover hidden power, refine their pacing, and find out how many matches they can burn on any given day. Once they understand the fundamentals, Friel will show how to apply his proven training approach to gain big performance in road races, time trials, triathlons, and century rides. With The Power Meter Handbook, riders will: Precisely match their training to their race season Push their limits step by step Track fitness changes--reliably and accurately Peak predictably for key events Vastly improve training efficiency Power meters aren't just for the pros or racers anymore. Now The Power Meter Handbook makes it easy for any cyclist or triathlete to find new speed with cycling's most advanced gear.

The 1989 Tour de France is arguably the greatest ever. It saw American rider Greg LeMond overturn a 50-second deficit to France's Laurent Fignon on the final stage on the Champs Elysees to snatch the title by a mere eight seconds. After three weeks and more than 2,000 miles in the saddle, these few seconds remain the smallest margin of victory in the race's 100+ year history.But as dramatic as that Sunday afternoon on the streets of Paris was, the race wasn't just about that one time-trial. During the previous fortnight, the leader's yellow jersey had swapped back and forth between LeMond and Fignon in a titanic struggle for supremacy, a battle with more twists and turns than the maziest Alpine mountain pass. At no point during the entire three weeks were LeMond and Fignon separated by more than 53 seconds.In Three Weeks, Eight Seconds, Nige Tassell brings one of cycling's most astonishing stories to life, examining that extraordinary race in all its multi-faceted glory with fresh interviews and new perspectives and laying bare that towering heights of adrenaline, agony, excitement, torment and triumph that it produced.

From the flat roads in Erie to the urban streets of Pittsburgh and the rural byways and mountainous terrain of the Southern Alleghenies, enjoy the dramatic diversity of Western Pennsylvania on two wheels. Grab this guidebook, put on your helmet, and hit the road for fifty-four carefully designed tours, which range in length from 11 miles to 101 miles, and cover a wide range of abilities and fitness levels.
Inside you'll find: complete information about each ride, including directions, length, terrain, and traffic conditions; vivid descriptions of points of interest; brief listings of restaurants, accommodations, bike shops, and restrooms along the way; detailed maps and elevation profiles.
Whether you are an experienced cyclist, an emerging enthusiast, or someone looking for a perfect family ride, you'll find routes in Western Pennsylvania that are ideal for your ability and interest.

Phil Burt and Martin Evans have worked with the world's best cyclists, including the Great Britain Cycling Team, devising and implementing highly effective off the bike training plans. Now, in Strength and Conditioning for Cyclists you can benefit from their wealth of knowledge and experience and apply it to make you a stronger, faster and more robust cyclist.

Use the self-assessment, inspired by the Functional Movement Screening used by the Great Britain Cycling Team, to identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Discover the mobility and strengthening movements that are most applicable to your needs, maximising effectiveness and avoiding wasted time.

Learn how to devise your own personalised and progressive off the bike training plan, how to schedule it into your year and combine it most effectively with your cycling.

New from the publishers of the Cool Camping and Wild Swimming series' comes Escape Routes; a unique cycling guide that's less about the destination and more about enjoying the journey there - and back. Matt Carroll maps out 60 unforgettable rides across England, from an easy 5 mile-meander to a 20-mile day trip, with something for every level of cyclist on every kind of bike. Enjoy the rush of freewheeling down a hill with the beautiful English countryside gliding by. Get up close and personal with England's most gorgeous coastline. When you're out on your bike you can go where you want, when you want - all in your own sweet time. Combining inspirational photography, beautiful hand-drawn maps, engaging writing and essential practical information - including where to hire bicyles en route - this stunning book will guide you through England's most breathtaking cycle rides. And, when you're ready to give your legs a rest, there's a detailed list of cracking places to eat, drink, and sleep. Hop on to your bike and enjoy the ride.

Cycling in London is booming! Everywhere you look cyclists are zipping around the city; commuting to work, visiting friends or just riding for the pleasure of it. This book is written for anyone looking to ride new and interesting paths through the city. Detailing 50 beautiful rides that will charm and inspire you and indeed help you discover the city anew, "Where to Ride London" is the ultimate guide for recreational cyclists either native Londoners or riders visiting from abroad. There are 5 kids specific rides, great for youngsters and learners - and a further 21 tagged as 'kid friendly' for fledgling riders, helpful information for parents looking to get the family out and about on two wheels. Along with brilliant text from Nick Woodford, author and contributor to many other travel books like Rough Guides and Alistair Sawdays, there are around 180 evocative colour photos that capture the essence of life on two wheels in London. Crammed full of information on the history, culture, and people of London there is also loads of practical help on how to prepare and what to take with you.

Why would someone set out on a bicycle tour of Ireland? Because Ireland is as stunning a country as any you'll ever visit. There's the extraordinary light, which adds intensity to everything, making greens and whites appear greener and whiter. It's all there: moss-covered mountains rising ominously from the mist, bright blue skies over white sandy beaches; the ghostlike ruins of ancient monasteries on misty days... With picturesque routes and breathtaking landscapes, Ireland is beloved by cyclists in search of an exhilarating yet memorable experience. In Green Tour of Ireland, avid cyclist Paul Benjaminse explores the a route around Ireland from Belfast to Dublin via the most spectacular and scenic routes in the country and offers his expert advice on the best way to see the beautiful parts of Ireland. Includes detailed routes and maps of; Ulster Sligo Cork Connemara The Burren Leinster and the Dublin Mountains.

Experienced Footprint author Chris Moran (co-author of Mountain Biking Europe and Snowboarding the World) brings you the definitive guide to mountain bike riding in Britain. Mountain Biking Britain takes you cross-country, scoping the best trail centres from Golspie and the Kyle of Sutherland trails in the north of Scotland, down through the Seven Staines in Scotland and all the way through to the Mineral Tramways Project in Cornwall. The book features the most picturesque rides in South Wales, where to find the best northshore rides and the top bikeparks of England. Whether you prefer downhill, XC (cross-country), or freestyle/freeriding, there something for everyone. Detailed coverage of the UK's high profile centres All the essentials: top tips, local media and websites, the scene, secret spots and must-sees The best rider-friendly places to eat, sleep and drink 'Riders tales' sections include lots of hints and tips from pro-riders and experts in the mountain-biking scene

Orange County has an abundance of bike paths, roads, parks, and trails that provide a wonderful cycling experience for the entire family. Best Easy Bike Rides Orange County includes concise descriptions and detailed maps for twenty easy-to-follow rides. Look inside for: One-hour rides to half-day adventures Rides for everyone, including families Mile-by-mile directions and clear trail maps Trail Finder for best rides for foliage, waterfalls, and great views GPS coordinates

'I pulled off my glasses and wiped my eyes. "That was perhaps the last race of my career..."' Deep down, Mark Cavendish thought he was finished. After illness, setbacks and clinical depression, the once fastest man in the world had been written off by most. And at the age of 36, even he believed his explosive cycling career would fade out with a whimper. The Manxman hadn't won a single Grand Tour stage in Italy, Spain or France since 2016. But then came his incredible resurrection at the 2021 Tour de France. Included on the Deceuninck Quick-Step team at the very last minute, only after Sam Bennett suffered an injury, Mark set about rewriting history. He claimed back the green jersey he first wore in 2011, and his four stage victories finally saw him matching Belgian legend Eddy Merckx's all-time record of 34 Tour de France stage wins. Cycling greats are never content, and Cav's dogged determination and inner strength had earned him the record that few believed he could ever achieve. This is his own intimate account of that race, right from the saddle of the miracle tour.

Contains books which provide directions; route profiles; GPS co-ordinates and local information.