Bike Racing 101

Rating:
Summary: A "must-have" for any cyclist with the desire to race!
Review: Bike Racing 101 is an excellent resource for those cyclists with a basic knowledge of the sport, and a strong desire to take it to the next level. This book guides you through the process, from getting licensed, to understanding road racing events, to the necessary equipment. From there, this easy-to-read book (that's filled with up-to-date photos), helps you, the future racer determine your goals, choose your first race, and even guides you through basic training. Bike Racing 101 gives you the background knowledge to increase speed, power, and endurance as well as the basics of nutrition and hydration. All the aspects of racing are covered in this book and it prepares you for everything to expect in a race, it even has a section on learning how to crash! With an insider's perspective, it makes racing seem much less intimidating. The back of the book is full of helpful resources as well, complete with a glossary of related terms and suggested websites. This is a must-have for any cyclist with the desire to race!

Rating:
Summary: All of the fundamentals...
Review: If you want to get into bike racing but have no idea where to start this is THE book for you. It's a complete over view of all the basics you need to know to get into the sport including a check list to see if you are even reading to race. Gets into basic training concepts and racing tactics. However, if you are a seasoned cyclist, you probably won't find much new here. Being new to the competitive side of the sport this last year, I found this book to be an extremely important guide.

Rating:
Summary: All of the fundamentals...
Review: If you want to get into bike racing but have no idea where to start this is THE book for you. It's a complete over view of all the basics you need to know to get into the sport including a check list to see if you are even reading to race. Gets into basic training concepts and racing tactics. However, if you are a seasoned cyclist, you probably won't find much new here. Being new to the competitive side of the sport this last year, I found this book to be an extremely important guide.

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, accessible and effective.
Review: There's no better place to start if you want to learn to race bikes. A lot of what's out there is very interesting but targeted towards a more advanced racer. It's all too easy to lose sight of the fundamentals. This book will help you pick the equipment you need without going overboard, improve your understanding of training and recovery, and work a training plan into your life without burning out. It's full of detailed discussion of essentials like how to execute an attack and make it stick. The chapters on improving fundamental skills like climbing, cornering and descending are complete, detailed, and effective, as are the chapters on strategy and tactics. Road racing, time trials, criteriums and stage races are each given a full chapter that will to help you develop a tactical sense that you can apply when the situation arises. I'm midway through my first serious season and the more I get out and race the more mileage I get out of this book.

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, accessible and effective.
Review: There's no better place to start if you want to learn to race bikes. A lot of what's out there is very interesting but targeted towards a more advanced racer. It's all too easy to lose sight of the fundamentals. This book will help you pick the equipment you need without going overboard, improve your understanding of training and recovery, and work a training plan into your life without burning out. It's full of detailed discussion of essentials like how to execute an attack and make it stick. The chapters on improving fundamental skills like climbing, cornering and descending are complete, detailed, and effective, as are the chapters on strategy and tactics. Road racing, time trials, criteriums and stage races are each given a full chapter that will to help you develop a tactical sense that you can apply when the situation arises. I'm midway through my first serious season and the more I get out and race the more mileage I get out of this book.