The book is JUST RIDE "A Radically Practical Guide to Riding Your Bike". The Author is Grant Peterson.
Everybody probably recognizes Grant's name as the founder/owner of Rivendell bicycles. If you have never been to the Rivendell web site I would recommend it. If you have and you read some of the bike philosophy
that Grant has written in his Rivendell Readers over the years you have already gotten the basic points of this book.
The premise of the book is that the cycle world is made up of Racers and Unracers and the influence that Racers have on manufacturers and thus what is perceived by the general cycling buying public who really are Unracers. The idea that whatever the pros use means it must be perfect for everybody. Grant says " Hogwash!!" His idea is that the Racer influence is possibly the worst thing that has happened to cycling over the last twenty years. Grant then works his way through 8 parts in the book covering topics of Riding, Clothing, Safety, Health and Fitness, Accessories, Upkeep, Technicalities, and Velosophy.
He explains his outlook on each topic and supports his stance with logic and fact. I am sure there are many people who will disagree with many of his ideas and take on things. He acknowledges that many will disagree with his ideas and only asks the reader to have an open mind and consider what he has to say. Grant obviously has strong opinions and by stating them in a book he sets himself up for argument and disagreement.
When you read the book, if you have an open mind, and you are honest with your own riding abilities, then it is my belief that he writes of a cycling world we are all a part of. Not a world of TdFrance racers. He points out that bicycle manufacturers push the TdF race style bikes, yet nothing could be possibly right about a regular person riding a bike like that for fun and comfort and practicality.
Grant does explore the wearing of helmets in the safety section. Here is the one place in the book I believe he contradicts himself. His reasoning is that because you would wear a helmet, then you would feel safer and thus take more risks. He states that he is contradictory himself and does not wear a helmet on short trips around town but will wear one at night. It is also his belief that mandatory helmet laws just turn people away from riding. He thinks it is a touchy subject but feels a helmet should be up to each individual to choose to wear or not. He does have a chapter on how to wear your helmet properly if you do choose to wear one so he is interested in being fair about the helmet issue and helping people.
The book is a great resource for anyone that is new to cycling. The chapters on riding, upkeep, and safety are great for newby's and good reminders for veteran riders.
I found the part on Health and Fitness to be very informative. I have actually adopted many of his ideas into my daily fitness program with some success! Much of this section has very little to do with riding a bike but has to do with fitness and healthy eating habits and many misconceptions that corporations have foisted on the American public. An example of this are energy drinks that really do nothing for you except make you fat. I think this part of the book could help anybody interested in fitness and is alone worth the price of the book.
Bottom line is I recommend the book. If you are the super club racer dude that rides a 14 pound carbon bike and vision yourself to be close to making a team this next year, then the book is not for you.
If you are a regular person who likes bikes as a fun way to get around and experience the outdoor world around you, then this is the book for you.
I think some of his best advice is given near the end of the book when he tells us to stop thinking of your bike as a "tool". Tools are for work. Bikes should be toys, made to have fun on and enjoy the ride.
Order it from Rivendell Bicycles online site, about 14 bucks or so.
Enjoy!
