Rating: 
Summary: One can always learn something...
Review: Although I have read and pedaled a fair amount, I found this book interesting as it revealed the specifics of the work and training that produced Armstrong's remarkable accomplishments in cycling. As with any book, it provided bits and pieces both known and new. Simple, clear, and direct, it outlines a comprehensive program that can serve as a "preflight checklist" -- for newcomer or veteran. The book pulled together information that I had read or heard here and there. The weight training program is good for off-season cross-training and is clearly cycling specific. The dietary information and recommendations have the ring of common sense about them. As well the techniques and tactics for cycling are precise and easy to understand. The book does not provide too much info but simply gets to the matter at hand. Reminds me of the Greg Lemond "Complete Book of Bicycling" brought up to date. And as with Lemond, Armstrong and his story are inspirational -- an aspect of the book that can provide just that little extra push in training -- "Hey, if Lance can..." The Armstrong tale is extraordinary by any measure and this book affords us an inside look at the actual program that was hinted at in his book, "It's not About the Bike." (Aside re. "It's not About the Bike": the book is from the "gee whiz" school of sports writing but the story is so powerful that it compels ones attention and admiration -- esp. the portion dealing with what the Armstrongs went through to have a child). In sum, we all need more from guys like Armstrong to inspire our best efforts -- on the bike and off.
Rating: 
Summary: We expected better !
Review: Any serious cyclist reading this book is in for a major disappointment. This book can only be aimed at the very casual cyclist seeking a small incremental improvement. One of the book's sub-titles "7 Weeks to the Perfect Ride" is laughable. How about 7 years? Do a 5 hr century after following this program (or any other) for 7 weeks? Dream on! Carmichael decided to TradeMark "DecendingIntervals" -- what a joke! Cyclists have been doing these for years. Perhaps the greatest omission is that this book fails to mention that you need to ride very hard for about 12,000+ miles a year. Not a minor detail. Lance's training program as posted on his web site is a lot more realistic than anything contained in this book. Serious cyclists will have to keep waiting for someone else to tell it like it really is, since here the authors chose to address the masses.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but could be better
Review: First, the good stuff. I beleive that the theory behind the training is valid and effective. You get a very bare bones introduction to the training method with recommended schedules and training levels, but that's it. No explanation of WHY you should train this way as opposed to another. The first 50 pages or so are useless fluff explaining proper tire pressure and turning techniques etc. that anyone buying this book already knows. Overall a good book, butI would hope that any future editions make better use of the pages.
Rating: 
Summary: Training for the Entry-Level Athlete
Review: For the person who would like a strong, proven way to begin to add structure to their training - you really can't lose with this book. True, there are those in the cycling world who view Carmichael's business as becoming the 'Walmart' of coaching, but still...it's sound stuff.
I have found that the most beneficial thing an athlete can do to their training is...simply get structured. Appropriate rest and slow, steady development of the aerobic system will pay off in the long-term. This book is as good of a beginning for the entry-level athlete as any other. You also might look for Joe Friel's Cyclist Training Bible.Pedalhome
www.bicycleblowout. com
Rating:
Summary: Great Ride
Review: I am an enter level racing/club cyclist and found this book full of easy to understand training information. Most training books are too technical and don't really give the beginner specific advice their can use in each workout, not this book. It is full of very practical information, workouts and training programs. Just get it!
JR
Rating:
Summary: Good Coaching
Review: I am an enter level racing/club cyclist and found this book full of easy to understand training information. Most training books are too technical and don't really give the beginner specific advice their can use in each workout, not this book. It is full of very practical information, workouts and training programs. Just get it!
JR
Rating:
Summary: A bi disappointment from the greatest cyclist alive today!!
Review: I expected better. A beginner will get some benefit out of it but the book just doesn't cut it for intermediate or advanced cyclists. The first 65 pages is for someone who has neven been on a bike, and the rest of the tries to sell you the Chris Carmichael Training system. Don't throw your money away. If you want an excellent training book get Ed Burke's "Serious Cycling" ISBN: 087322759X
Rating:
Summary: Weak at best!
Review: I found this book to be a big let down and a complete waste of my time and money. As a long time cyclist I was hoping to discover some new and exciting ways to approach training and improve my cycling experience. I thought no better way to achieve my goals than from the training methods of one of the best cyclist of our times, Lance Armstrong. This book is for beginners at best, even then it's rather vague in areas with too little detail. If you own Joe Friel's Training bible stick with it! Don't be tempted by the title and name of the author of this book. I guess that's that I get for buying pre-order online.
Rating:
Summary: My Experience with this Book
Review: I gave this book only three stars because 1. It rehashes all the stuff I didn't want to read over again (bike fit, clothing, and riding technique) and 2. To me it wasn't really clear on alot of points. However I did follow the programs outlined in the book and saw significant results. I started off with a 5 mile time trial on my mag trainer at setting 2 in early january after a 3 month period of inactivity due to a broken ankle. I rode it in 18.5 miles/hour average. I then did the 7 week intermediate cycle and half of the advanced program, another 4 weeks. I then rerode the 5 mile time trial on my mag trainer at the end of april and rode at 24.5 m/h average speed. I don't know how these results would transfer to the road but I felt like I could twist the cranks off the bike.
Rating:
Summary: Great Ride
Review: I have completed both the Intermediate and Advanced programs and have seen impressive results. After these programs I completed my first centry (Lake Tahoe)in under 5 hours and I am leading the way on our saturday morning rides. I highly reccomend this book.
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