Review: The Enlightened Cyclist

 As an atheist, there are few things that I do religiously, but reading BikeSnobNYC is definitely one of them.  Bike Snob is hilarious.  Sometimes I read his blog at work and I literally laugh out loud while surrounded by customers (I also scroll very quickly past the pictures of naked ladies on recumbents).

Bike Snob's first book was super funny too.  I think my favourite bit was when he call triathletes "the turduckens of the cycling world."  Again, I frequently laughed out loud while reading it, but it was also educational.  I now know about the dynamics between different kinds of cyclists and the history of the bicycle.  All around, I enjoyed this book immensely and heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys cycling.

So that's why I'm very sorry to say that I obtained less enjoyment from Bike Snob's new book, The Enlightened Cyclist. 

Generally, it's about commuting by bike, and the attaining of transcendence through this activity.  I agree with the premise.  Bike commuting makes sense for individuals and society, plus it just makes a person feel really good (because of the green thing, but also because of all the endorphins and the fresh air).  Personally, I love riding my bike to work, or to the grocery store, or to a friends house for beer, or whatever.  It's awesome!  I hope to do it for the rest of my life.

But The Enlightened Cyclist is all about bike commuting in New York, and the problems in getting around (whether by bike or car) that they have in New York just don't exist in other places.  For example, "Shoaling".  I had never heard of this phenomenon before, where cyclists actually butt in line at stop lights.  That's crazy!  I'm generally the only cyclist on the road on my way to work, so this would never happen to me.  My commuting problems include drivers waving me through stop signs because they think that I'm a pedestrian and they don't know that I'm supposed to obey traffic rules.  I live in a town with one bike lane that doesn't lead anywhere.  I have to commute on a mountain bike because my route requires me to jump over numerous curbs and navigate a rutted gravel parking lot.

Needless to say, I found it hard to relate to the commuter problems encountered by Bike Snob.

I also found the book to be less funny that the blog.  Bike Snob is trying to get a serious point across here, and he layers in philosophy and psychology to explain the nature of people commuting.

However, the idea behind it all is really good.  Cars do have a role.  They are perfect for hauling large things and going long distances.  But a bike is better for getting around in small areas.  It's quick and easy and it's good for people.  I fully support the notion of getting more people to use bikes for day-to-day travel and cars when they are needed.  I hope Bike Snob can convince at least a few people to try it out.

Review: Road to Valor

It's hard to say to what extent my enjoyment of Road to Valor was influenced by my love of cycling.

The book is essentially a biography of World War II era cyclist, Gino Bartali. Bartali was a two-time winner of the Tour de France, but he was also a war hero who helped to save many Italian Jews from the Nazis. His story is an interesting and complex one, but for all that, he isn't a very likeable character.

Gino Bartali won the Tour de France in 1938 and 1948.

For me, the most fascinating parts of the book were those that described the early days of the Tour de France. The final chapters were particularly gripping, and the reader will really feel the tension as Gino struggles through the mountain passes of the Tour and Italy struggles to recover from the war.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in World War II Italy or the history of bicycle racing.