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The Hardmen
Legends of the Cycling Gods
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Check link for latest rating. ( 59 ratings, 4 reviews)
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Summary
This collection reveals how suffering in cycling is a liberating, transformative experience, embracing the mantra 'pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever' and showing us the enduring spirit behind the sport's greatest legends.
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The Hardmen
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Ideal for enthusiasts of road cycling and sports history, as well as readers intrigued by tales of perseverance, bravery and the human spirit in extreme athletic endeavours.
Stories of the toughest cyclists of all time, told by The Velominati, originators of The Rules.
Stories of the toughest cyclists of all time, told by The Velominati, originators of The Rules
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
It's time we all stopped whining and learned a thing or two from The Toughest Cyclists Ever. Including:
Stephen Roche, whose cure for exhaustion was to go up a gear and fight harder, all the way to the ambulance. Eddy Merckx, who hurt himself so badly in breaking the Hour record that, he estimated, he shortened his career by a year. Beryl Burton, who crushed her (male) rival's morale with the offer of a piece of liquorice, before speeding past to victory. Nicole Cooke and Edwig Van Hooydonck, who rejected dope and became legends.
The Hardmen tells the stories - the good bits, anyway - of the 40 most heroic Cyclists ever. Their bravery, their panache and their Perfect Amount of Dumb.
It reminds us that suffering on a bike liberates us from our daily lives, and that, in the words of Lance Armstrong, 'pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever'; proof that even assholes can be insightful.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Praised for its fresh, often amusing tone and deep affection for the sport, The Hardmen delivers a joyous yet gritty celebration of cycling’s pain and beauty. Reviews highlight its portrayal of courage and escapism alongside the physical and emotional costs, making it an impressive read for fans looking for a raw inside view of road cycling’s most heroic characters.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781781256138
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 14 June 2018
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Pursuit
Edition: Main
Illustration: integrated b/w
Contributors:
- Foreword by David Millar
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 20.0mm
Width: 130.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 187g
Pages: 256
About the Author
The Velominati are the founders of a singular online community - www.velominati.com - which celebrates the history of road cycling with a distinctive point of view, best described as (ir)reverence. Their infamous The Rules challenge cycling fans to emulate their heroes in everything from training ('it never gets easier, you just go faster') and equipment ('the correct number of bikes to own is n+1') to sock length and coffee choice. Frank Strack, the Editor-in-Chief, appears at bike shows worldwide and writes a column for Cycling magazine.
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