Hearts of Lions: History of American Bicycle Racing

by Peter Joffre Nye

Most Americans are unaware that the current national consciousness over bicycle racing--prompted by the 1984 Olympics where America won nine medals--is actually a resurgence. In the 1920s, the sport was as popular as baseball is today. Nye tells the story of those few fans with "hearts of lions" that keep the sport alive. Illustrated.

Genres: Sports

Hardcover

First published June 1, 1988

About the author

Peter Joffre Nye has worked as a prize-winning author, journalist, and magazine editor in Washington, DC. He is the author of several books, including The Fast Times of Albert Champion: From Record-Setting Racer to Dashing Tycoon, an Untold Story of Speed, Success, and Betrayal. His articles have been published in a variety of venues, including the Washington Post, USA Today, and Sports Illustrated.

Reviews

[Andrew Rothstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been an avid road cyclist for 37 years. On a recent ride, a driver in a car behind me skidded, lost control, and crashed into me. I was thrown into a ditch. Amazingly, I didn't suffer a concussion (wear helmets!), break a bone, or suffer an internal injury. However, I was badly cut, suffered major abrasions, and many deep bruises.

I share this because one of my good friends and cycling buddies gave me this book to read as I mended. Seeing the title, I knew the message was, "Get back on the bike."

This book is a bit old, but it still records the rarely told story of American competitive cycling. Nye celebrates the early U.S. cycling pioneers and takes the story up to Greg LeMond. As it turns out, the bike I was riding (now destroyed, sadly), was a LeMond.

For those of us who love cycling, this is still a fun read. And a great one when looking for some inspiration to get up after being knocked down.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book. I learned a lot about the history of cycling and about some real athletes. I was lucky enough to meet the granddaughter of Major with in a few months of reading this book about 15 years ago. I think that anyone would enjoy this book, cyclist or not, athlete or not. Cycling was a huge part of our nation's past and very few people even know that cycling was once THE sport. This book is a very well written biography of a really worthy athletic hero.

[Michael W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing history of American bicycle racing from before the turn of the century up to the dawn of the big American presence on the European racing scene in the mid 1980s.
The descriptions of the incredible athletes and personalities of the sport from Major Taylor to Davis Phinney and Greg LeMond make this book a must for any bicycle racing fan.

[Robert St cyr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the first books I ever read on the history of bicycle racing in the US. It fostered a love an interest in bicycle history that has only grown deeper with the passing of time. Little did I know that decades later I would have the privilege of handling and viewing many of the bicycles and ephemera featured in this book from the US bicycling Hall of Fame.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-researched and totally interesting. Published in 1988, you'll never see the words "Lance Armstrong" on any of the pages.
I think this has been out of print for a while but it's not hard to come by. Found my copy through an Amazon seller a couple years ago for 5 bucks.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favorite tidbit: The Salt Palace was originally constructed out of salt and housed Utah's mineral samples and was the ticket booth for the hugely popular velodrome behind.