Into the Suffersphere


Book Description

According to the website of The Velominati, the self-professed Keepers of the Cog, the optimal number of bikes owned is n + 1, where n is the number of bikes owned. But there's also an important corollary, s-1, where s is the number of bikes that will cause your wife or partner to leave you.' Into the Suffersphere: Cycling and the Art of Pain is a brilliantly witty account of one former racer's exploration of whether cycling is the one sport that pushes its participants to the very limits of human endurance, and delves painfully into the role that physical and mental suffering can play in this elite endurance sport. Drawing together sporting history and pro-cycling interviews, and investigating current medical, business and psychological theories, this is the story of the extraordinary lengths to which minds and bodies can be pushed. Peppered with recollections from the author's own racing experiences and offering a fascinating insight into the unique allure of pain in a sporting context, Into the Suffersphere explores a side of cycling that you would never have dreamed of - not even in your worst nightmare. An essential read for all MAMILs (middle-aged men in Lycra) and fans of sports writing and smart thinking.




One Million Pedal Strokes


Book Description

The Race Across America (RAAM) is a nonstop, 3,000-mile bicycle race with a twelve-day limit. The race course traverses deserts and mountains in all kinds of conditions including extreme temperatures, wind, rain, and fog. Racers typically sleep less than four hours per day. The Race Across America is the toughest ultracycling race in the world. It requires physical and mental toughness, but also organization, planning, and an efficient, dedicated, well-trained crew. "One Million Pedal Strokes" tells the story of how rookie Keith Wolcott completed RAAM in 2014, with his wife Ellen as his crew chief. It gives racer, crew chief, and crew perspectives of the race. It contains details about planning and details about decisions that must be made, with sections on potential problems, strategy, training, the mental aspect, a goal pace, crew training, nutrition, clothing, equipment, and recovery---all aimed to be useful for prospective RAAM racers.




Hell on Two Wheels


Book Description

Contestants have died, been maimed, and spiraled down into the nightmarish realm of madness. Half of them don't finish--in fact, only 200 racers have ever made it to the end. "Outside" magazine calls it "the toughest test of endurance in the world." RAAM (the Race Across America) is a bicycle race like no other. This epic race is the most brutal organized sporting event you've never heard of and one of the best-kept secrets in the sports world. Author Amy Snyder follows a handful of athletes before, during, and after the 2009 event, the closest and most controversial in history. "Hell on Two Wheels" is a thrilling and remarkably detailed account of their ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies. By experiencing the race from the perspective of the racers themselves, "Hell on Two Wheels" breaks new ground in helping us appreciate how such a grueling effort can be so cleansing and self-revelatory. This is more than just a race; it's a monster, a crucible, an unforgettable allegory about the human experience of pain and joy and self-discovery.




Training for Cycling


Book Description

A compelling, insightful, and informative training handbook for cyclists of all abilities.




The Winds of Change


Book Description

What do you do when a life storm hits? Life storms such as divorce, job loss, illness, financial problems, empty nest, midlife crisis, family fractures, etc. create a world of chaos and confusion and often lead to quiet isolation, depending on the nature of the challenge. In more ordinary situations, someone may feel stuck in a life rut and seek the courage to pursue a new hobby, interest, or job and they need confidence-building tools. Just as a literal storm wreaks havoc in our lives, life reality storms can cause emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental challenges. People often won’t talk about them and can retreat into unhealthy isolation at best, or at worse, dive into dangerous self-medicating behaviors or suicidal tendencies. In The Winds of Change, Julie Shannon shares her own story of reframing life, as well as real-life stories of many others who overcame the unexpected and who and what encouraged them in their journey. Practical, definitive steps will be learned to successfully move through life realities and into a confident and abundant life.




We Might as Well Win


Book Description

For the first time, go behind the scenes and inside the mind of Johan Bruyneel, the most successful team director in cycling history and the strategist, confidant, motivator, and coach behind Lance Armstrong's amazing success.




One in a Million


Book Description

Frank Culhane may be the wealthy patriarch of one of Texas' most prestigious families, but his party girl daughter, Jasmine, is only interested in the money the ranch brings in--and the cowboys. Until the day she heads to the stables in search of their hot horse trainer and instead discovers her daddy's body in their prize stallion's box stall.Roper's rodeo career was cut short by an injury. Now, he's hungry to compete in reining events, like the prized forthcoming Run for a Million. In the meantime, until his family can afford their own breeding business, he's got to work for the rich ranchers who snub them--including the Culhanes. But when an autopsy reveals Frank was murdered, Roper lands on the list of possible suspects. A city outsider, Detective Sam Rafferty's investigation propels him into a tangle of simmering rivalries. For the ranch is now in the hands of an explosive Frank's young, glamourous second wife, Lila, and his scorned first wife, Madeline. Lila has a genuine passion for ranching. Madeline is determined to destroy her.




The Pain-Free Cyclist


Book Description

The Pain-Free Cyclist takes you through the most common cycling injuries, lets you know what exactly they are, why you get them and what you can do to do get rid of them and get you back on the bike pain free. It's not (just) about the bike. Ride your bike long enough and even with an optimal bike fit you're likely to get injured. It's not what cyclists want to hear, but it's the hard truth. Cycling is a rapidly growing sport, and as numbers increase, so do the amount of injuries. What do you do if you get injured? Rest? Continue to ride? These questions need answering – to avoid confusion, further complications and more harmful injuries, resulting in substantial time off the bike. We want more riders out on the road, enjoying their cycling, pain free. Foreword by Sir Bradley Wiggins and featuring interviews with pro-cyclists including Cadel Evans, Carlos Sastre, Dan Martin, Tyler Farrar and Andrew Talansky.




Continents


Book Description

This book uses math and science to help students learn about Continents. Math challenge questions provide students with the opportunity to apply math skills as they learn about the characteristics of the world's continents.




Mastering Mountain Bike Skills


Book Description

If you want to ride like a pro, you should learn from a pro! In Mastering Mountain Bike Skills, Third Edition, world-champion racer Brian Lopes and renowned riding coach Lee McCormack share their elite perspectives, real-life race stories, and their own successful techniques to help riders of all styles and levels build confidence and experience the full exhiliration of the sport. Mastering Mountain Bike Skills is the best-selling guide for all mountain biking disciplines, including enduro, pump track racing, dual slalom, downhill, cross-country, fatbiking, and 24-hour races. It absolutely captures the sport and offers everything you need to maximize performance and excitement on the trail. Learn how to select the proper bike and customize it for your unique riding style. Develop a solid skills base so you can execute techniques with more power and precision. Master the essential techniques to help you carve every corner, nail every jump, and conquer every obstacle in your path. Last, but not least, prepare yourself to handle every type of weather and trail condition that the mountain biking world throws at you. Whether you’re a recreational rider looking to rock the trails with friends, are a seasoned enthusiast, or are aspiring to be a top pro, Mastering Mountain Bike Skills will improve your ride and dust the competition. Don't just survive the trail—own the trail, and enjoy the thrill of doing it.