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ROADIE: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer

ROADIE: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer

by JamieSmith (Author), JefMallett (Illustrator)

  • Used

    Paperback 2008

    $3.25
Synopsis

Veteran race announcer and long-time cycling enthusiast Jamie Smith sets out to explain the sport he loves and the roadies who live for it in this light-hearted treatise on bike racing. Finally, a book to explain those people who roll out for a ride dressed in techno-coloured Lycra at the crack of dawn on Saturday, and return at sundown with a glow of satisfaction and even stronger tan lines.Perfect for anyone who has ever known a roadie, considered becoming a roadie, or walked away from a bike race completely puzzled, "Roadie" addresses all of the curiosities that accompany the sport of cycling, from shaved legs to colourful jerseys and unbelievably expensive bicycles, shoes, and components. Every seemingly neurotic tendency is explained and celebrated with humorous illustrations from nationally syndicated cartoonist Jef Mallett (also rumoured to log thousands of miles of riding per year).Explaining strategy and races from the famous Tour de France race to the local criterion, "Roadie" brings the excitement of bike racing alive for anyone with an appetite for adrenaline. And for the thousands who purchase a shiny new road bike each spring, it's a much-needed primer on the politics of a group ride. Pace lines, drafting, sprinting, climbing, and breakaways are turned into everyday commonsense with colourful anecdotes.Whether interested onlooker or cycling aficionado, readers will find themselves laughing out loud as they revel in the roadie's world.

$3.25

Save:$15.56 (83%)

Quantity

2 in stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
 Pages: 206
 Publisher: VeloPress
Published: 15 Mar 2008
ISBN 10: 1934030171
ISBN 13: 9781934030172

Media Reviews
This primer explains everything you've wanted to know (and more) about a somewhat mysterious sport. -- Chicago Tribune Absolutely entertaining from start to finish. The book finishes up with ways non-cycling friends and family can start enjoying the favored pastime of their bike racing friends. Terms, strategies, and ideas are explained so well that even someone who really doesn't care for cycling will stay interested, maybe even enough to pique their interested and get into the sport. -- RoadBikeReview.com After spending years explaining the little idiosyncrasies of being a bike racer, Jamie Smith decided to write a book to bring understanding to the masses. Roadie acts as a complete guide to the life of a bike racer. I found myself nodding in agreement with each page, as Smith picked apart everything it means to be a bike racer in a way that only a true roadie could. It's engaging, entertaining, and downright fun, from front cover to back. --BikeRumor.com This witty primer offers lively insights into race formats and techniques, including drafting, breakaways and strategies employed in professional and amateur bicycle racing. Get it for family members and friends who are interested in the lingo and politics of bicycle racing, if not up for the experience of actually pulling on a pair of padded Lycra shorts. -- Denver Post A well-written and informative insight into the world of road racing. -- Lightweight News I wish I had a copy of Roadie when I started racing 35 years ago. Jamie Smith's wealth of knowledge, insightful comments about racing, and wonderful wit and infectious enthusiasm certainly would have helped me explain cycling to all my friends and family who thought I was crazy. -- Paul Alman, President, Michigan Bicycle Racing Association Jamie Smith has succeeded, with a light and amusing style, to convey the joy of the sport with an unblinking eye...There is no question that Roadie will keep the interest of someone new to the sport. -- TinDonkey.com We should be very grateful for this epiphany; members of my family had to ask me to stop laughing so much while I was carrying out the perfectly respectable and serious task of reviewing the book. -- TheWashingMachinePost You will recognise yourself in many of the actions and situations described in this gently amusing and well written book. -- Arrivee magazine
Author Bio
Jamie Smith is a veteran bike racer and bike race announcer. He has been a bike racer since 1983 working his way up through the ranks of amateur cycling, and a bike race announcer since 1985 traveling with some of the world's greatest cyclists. He spent several years in public relations for a sleepy Detroit suburb, receiving one Emmy nomination and several Telly Awards. Writing repetitive press releases and boring speeches inspired him to find something more exciting to write about: bike racing. A graduate of Central Michigan University's Broadcast and Cinematic Arts program, Jamie has become adept at describing cycling's most complex intricacies to normal people. His first book, Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer, was selected as a 2009 Notable Book by the Library of Michigan. He has since taken on the role of sport director to translate the complexities of bike racing for befuddled bike racers who mistakenly chase down their own teammates, miss the winning breakaway, and consistently finish one place out of the money. He currently lives in Rochester, Michigan, with his 11 bikes, 2 surfboards, 1 rowing scull, and 5 pair of cross-country skis. While in high school, Jef Mallett produced a daily comic for the Pioneer in Big Rapids, MI. He later worked as a cartoonist, and as an art director and an editorial cartoonist for a chain of eight midsize dailies. He has written and illustrated the children's book Dangerous Dan , and has also served as an illustrator for other authors, including best-seller Mitch Albom. Jef is also a contributing editor for Inside Triathalon magazine. He lives in Lansing, MI.www.comics.com/comics/frazz/