Riding High: Shadow Cycling the Tour de France
- ISBN-10
- 1780570651
- ISBN-13
- 9781780570655
- Series
- Riding High
- Category
- Biography & Autobiography
- Pages
- 240
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2011-04-15
- Publisher
- Random House
- Author
- Paul Howard
Description
The Tour de France is a world-renowned, almost mythical sporting competition. Since 1903, participants have battled not just with each other but also with the terrain, mechanical hindrances, the occasional sadism of the organisers and even with the fans. The demands on the riders are so great that the achievements and rivalries of those involved have passed into sporting legend. Recently, however, the event has been tarnished by the institutionalised doping of some riders and teams. As a result, the authenticity of these very achievements and rivalries has been called into doubt.To find out whether an increasingly sceptical public could once again laud the exploits of the past century with conviction, club cyclist Paul Howard set out to complete the Tour - in the year of its 100th anniversary - on level terms with today's riders. But, instead of teammates, mechanics and possibly the contents of the local pharmacy as support, he had a handful of friends, his dad and a sense of humour to see him through. With only three weeks to complete over 2,000 miles, was it possible to put a human face on a super-human undertaking? Could a fan's homage to past glories help the Tour regain its place as one of the world's most admired sporting challenges? Riding High is Howard's diary of his experiences as he rides the Tour de France route from start to finish, setting off each day only hours before the professionals, at each stage sharing anecdotes and noting the historical highpoints that have made the Tour one of the most iconic sporting events in the world.
Get the book
Other editions
-
- 2018-10-02
- 256 pages
- Ebook
- St. Martin's Griffin
-
- 2018-10-02
- 320 pages
- Paperback
- St. Martin's Press
Similar books
-
Riding High
By Ted SimonRiding High is packed with untold episodes from the Jupiter journey of Ted Simon's book Jupiter's Travels: his confrontations with a murderous military in Chile, his farcical arrest in India,...
-
Riding High in April: A Novel
By Jackie TownsendTaut and richly layered, Riding High in April is a powerful evocation of our contemporary tech moment, a revealing exploration of resilience and the pursuit of something unattainable, and a moving story of love, friendship, and letting go.
-
Riding So High: The Beatles and Drugs
By Joe GooddenDrugs were central to the Beatles’ story from the beginning. The acid, pills and powders helped form bonds, provided escape from the chaos of Beatlemania, and inspired colossal leaps in songwriting and recording.
-
Riding High
By Vicki Lewis Thompson“You mean go riding?” “Sure.” He had a sudden thought. “Unless you're too tender.” She laughed. “Not yet. But if I'm going to be riding horses this week, then maybe we should refrain from—” “Sorry. ... When Molasses had Riding High 164.
-
Riding High
By Stacy FinzA good distance away from Flynn , she tightened the reins , wanting to take the ride at a slower pace . There was nothing like seeing her property from the back ... Gia couldn't help but watch his sinewy arms move back and Riding High . 21.
-
Riding High
By Scott OglesbyIn recent years he had decreased his smoking, along with the volume of his hi-fi. Except for delivery rides where he needed an energy boost, he reserved getting high as a reward for accomplishments. But this was an emergency.
-
Riding High
By Jenny GilesRiding High
-
Riding High
By James Macgregor, John FrancomeHe was a jockey called Jose Ramirez.
-
Riding the High Country
By Patrick T. TuckerRiding the High Country
-
Joel McCrea: Riding the High Country
By Tony ThomasAn account of the life and career of actor Joel McCrea. Contains over 200 photos and a complete filmography.