Roadie

by Smith, Jamie

• ISBN13: 9781934030172
• ISBN10: 1934030171
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781937716011
• Additional ISBN(s): 9781948006231
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-03-28
• Publisher: Velopress
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

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. 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.

Author Biography

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/

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xiii
A Taste of the Good Life	p. 1
Riders Ready	p. 3
The Bike	p. 15
The Lifestyle	p. 27
The Training Ride	p. 35
Nutrition and the Bonk	p. 55
Classroom Sessions	p. 65
Drafting and the Breakaway	p. 67
The Sprint, the Solo, the Combine, and Others	p. 83
Crashes	p. 91
Supporting Roles	p. 101
Race Day	p. 103
The System	p. 115
Our Sponsors	p. 129
Riders Ready	p. 141
The Criterium	p. 143
The Road Race	p. 159
The Individual Time Trial	p. 169
The Stage Race	p. 179
Podium Finish	p. 191
Epilogue	p. 197
About the Author	p. 203
About the Illustrator	p. 205
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.