Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsA remarkably engaging and accessible book on a complex subject
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 July 2015
This is one of those books that reads far better than it has any right to given the subject material. I think the first thing to say is that this book is not a coaching program for enthusiastic cyclists to follow, it is rather a study of what makes some cyclists faster than others. Although the book looks at a lot of complex subjects including physiology it is remarkably accessible and most readers should be able to follow the explanations and arguments contained within the book. Think of it a bit like TV science documentaries which explain how things fly or the theory of relativity in conceptual terms but which avoid the mathematics and deeper theory and related learning so as to allow a basic understanding of a complex subject and you won't be too far from the level at which this book is pitched. The book is not an academic text books and is a fine example of a popular science book in raising awareness of concepts which are usually the preserve of exercise physiologists, coaches, engineers (cycling equipment) and elite level athletes. The book looks at the human body, how oxygen is taken in and transmitted around the body and used, how muscles work and the different demands of different cycling disciplines. The book moves on to consider diet, psychology, cycling equipment, coaching and the role of genetics. If that all sounds a bit dry and intimidating the writer has a real gift for making his subject accessible and for those who have read "The Hour" by the same author this book is blessed with the same dry, observational wit. Michael Hutchinson clearly has a deep passion for his subject but he also retains a sense of perspective and whilst engrossed in his subject also see's the absurdity of aspects of what he write about, that is really rather unusual. Michael Hutchinson was a fine cyclist and he is a wonderful writer, passionate about his subject with a real gift for communicating complex concepts in a comprehensible and engaging way and with a sense of humour that whilst dry does not fall into sarcasm. A wonderful book, 5*.