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Mid-life Cyclists
Cycling has slowly developed into a passion for many men in their thirties and forties as they form new and intense bonds with their middle years, bike riding and endurance events. This is the account of Chris, an Australian, who took up cycling in order to win over his Belgian girlfriend and her cycling obsessed father, and Neil, a Briton, who took up cycling when he realised it was the last sport left for him to try. Together they are two friends entering their midlife crisis years in a hurry, on bikes. Although living thousands of miles apart on different continents, Neil and Chris join forces through this addiction to cycling and play out an unforgettable and funny path to cycling greatness on the fields of Hong Kong, Sydney, England, Flanders and the French Alps. They lay it all out here; the training, the kit buying, the crashes, the clashes between family time, work time and cycling time, and the harsh realities of cycling together on the European continent alongside experienced club riders. This is a wonderfully humorous tale exposing the light-hearted determination of midlife cyclists everywhere.
- GenresCyclingNonfictionSports
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 26, 2020
I am a cycling fan. I enjoy the activity more than casually. I know the famous cyclists. I am an American that actually watches the Tour de France in it's entirety. I participate in organized bike rides. I actually wear the lycra shorts (a must for anything over 20 miles and advised for anything over 15 miles). I consider any ride less than 35 miles to be a short one (most hardcore cyclists would say less than 50 miles). I own at least 10 bike jerseys. I use a Garmin and I am on Strava. My tagline there is "Middle-aged, Mediocre Athlete". After 10 or so years of killing it w/ the mediocracy of my riding, I've been dialing it back, literally and figuratively. I've grown older and less fearless/unbreakable. I admit to being fooled by this one. I began reading this thinking it was a novel about two guys cycling only to find out this was a memoir about two guys cycling. Not that this is a bad thing. The book read like a novel with two very affable men one Aussie and one Briton; who discovered that they love cycling at an age that they consider to be older. It's unclear what constitutes midlife for these men. Their ages are not revealed, but they both have young families. I'd like to think they are in their 40s because it's really kind of fatalistic to see them thinking that half their life is over at 35ish. Anyhow, they are older than 25 and have a very masculine view of how athletic and capable they are, and a youthful view of how little is required to do great things. The book is a bit of a comeuppance on all of these traits and trains of thoughts.
There is some inside sport stuff that rings true to life here too. Neil the Brit is someone who collects stats and counts calories and uses spreadsheets and garmins to determine how good he is. He is also driven to believe that if you look good you are good. He therefore has the best kits, bikes and watches every calorie he takes in. He worries about grams, calories and cadence. Chris the Aussie is the opposite. He doesn't have the money to buy the latest best things and he doesn't have a plan at all except to ride. He is possessed of enough ability to make him want to work at cycling. The two become friends and set a goal of doing the Tour de France by themselves shadowing the actual race. They are both good cyclists, what the worst thing that could happen?!? Of course it's folly and this book showcases the various issues associated with this fantasy not the least of which is that they both have young families that have huge demands of their time. There are many other things too. In the end, they defer their dream after it has been shown to them that the reach exceeds the grasp at this moment in time.
There isn't anything deep about this memoir and I would not recommend it if you want to become a better rider. But the journey was delightful. Nothing too complicated and the adventures these men encountered were interesting and completely realistic (within the frame of cycling aficionados). No screwball antics etc. Just a couple of boys trying to log some miles any way that they can. I enjoyed the book. A fun summer read and you don't have to be a cyclist to enjoy…but it probably helps.
4 Stars
Read on kindle
There is some inside sport stuff that rings true to life here too. Neil the Brit is someone who collects stats and counts calories and uses spreadsheets and garmins to determine how good he is. He is also driven to believe that if you look good you are good. He therefore has the best kits, bikes and watches every calorie he takes in. He worries about grams, calories and cadence. Chris the Aussie is the opposite. He doesn't have the money to buy the latest best things and he doesn't have a plan at all except to ride. He is possessed of enough ability to make him want to work at cycling. The two become friends and set a goal of doing the Tour de France by themselves shadowing the actual race. They are both good cyclists, what the worst thing that could happen?!? Of course it's folly and this book showcases the various issues associated with this fantasy not the least of which is that they both have young families that have huge demands of their time. There are many other things too. In the end, they defer their dream after it has been shown to them that the reach exceeds the grasp at this moment in time.
There isn't anything deep about this memoir and I would not recommend it if you want to become a better rider. But the journey was delightful. Nothing too complicated and the adventures these men encountered were interesting and completely realistic (within the frame of cycling aficionados). No screwball antics etc. Just a couple of boys trying to log some miles any way that they can. I enjoyed the book. A fun summer read and you don't have to be a cyclist to enjoy…but it probably helps.
4 Stars
Read on kindle
January 4, 2016
An enjoyable, quick read. I was disappointed when I found myself halfway through the book and realised that there were not enough pages left for them to have completed the challenge they set themselves, as it would have been great to hear about it. There isn't much here in the way of tips and things to learn. It does read well and you feel as if you get to know the main characters and their families a little but I felt it was over before it got started.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2017
A lighthearted fun read. Kept me sufficiently entertained, though ended a bit abruptly.
April 25, 2018
A collection of anecdotes rather than a coherent story. Early on we are promised a "Cycling Revolutions" style tour of France, but this never happens. The book rather tails off towards the end. Having said that there is much to enjoy here and much that the Cyclist in your life will recognise: the horror of riding with older riders (60 year-old Belgians in this case) who turn out to be much fitter and faster than you, the heart-sink moment when you realise that you are riding on ice, the endless quest for more and better cycling equipment (how much money can one man spend?).
October 13, 2024
I’m unfortunately mid-life. But fortunately a cyclist. So it was definitely written for my joint popping, muscle aching type? Kinda.
The first third of the book covered the scientific and physiological effects of exercise. It was fascinating. And while written from the perspective of a cyclist, very applicable to all. Then came a long sojourn about bike fitting. Totally boring, except to probably the bike fitters. It finished up with some odds and ends about cycling. Meh.
Definitely read the first two chapters. Skip the rest, unless you have a bit fit problem.
The first third of the book covered the scientific and physiological effects of exercise. It was fascinating. And while written from the perspective of a cyclist, very applicable to all. Then came a long sojourn about bike fitting. Totally boring, except to probably the bike fitters. It finished up with some odds and ends about cycling. Meh.
Definitely read the first two chapters. Skip the rest, unless you have a bit fit problem.
July 20, 2017
I'm also a "mid-life cyclist", and was attracted to this book by its story line: two friends determined to undertake epic cycling adventures together in spite of slowly-advancing years.
Unfortunately, this book couldn't hold my attention for very long (it took me almost a year to finish it). The stories were interesting, and although I do get the British and Australian senses of humour, the humour just didn't make it off the pages for me.
Unfortunately, this book couldn't hold my attention for very long (it took me almost a year to finish it). The stories were interesting, and although I do get the British and Australian senses of humour, the humour just didn't make it off the pages for me.
November 16, 2017
Fast, entertaining read for mid-life cyclists.
Title of review says it all. If you’re a middle aged cycling enthusiast, you’ll probably enjoy this book. Well written, humorous book about cycling.
Title of review says it all. If you’re a middle aged cycling enthusiast, you’ll probably enjoy this book. Well written, humorous book about cycling.
July 12, 2017
Good Read
A a very funny book, that any bicyclist can relate too! I highly recommend this book. Buy it today or tomorrow.
A a very funny book, that any bicyclist can relate too! I highly recommend this book. Buy it today or tomorrow.
June 4, 2019
I laughed so much, great read!
Very funny and honest, well written. If you are a mid-life cyclist like me, it is story of you! Will recommend it to my cyclist friends!
Very funny and honest, well written. If you are a mid-life cyclist like me, it is story of you! Will recommend it to my cyclist friends!
May 12, 2020
My story. Elder men dreaming big and writing about their dreams while buying a lot of cycling gear. Short and sweet. 2 narrators describing their cycling exoerience.
December 20, 2013
Firstly, this is the first self (Amazon) published book that I've read. And I thoroughly enjoyed it - so much so in fact that I had Google Maps up checking out road names and Sydney suburbs - planning a dream bike ride should I suddenly wake-up and find myself in and hot and sunny early summer Australia and not a cold and dark Winter in the UK!
January 2, 2015
Its a good read.
Geared for keen cyclists one does get into an insight of more dedicated cyclists. I had quite a few laughs whilst reading the second half of the book.
Well written , kept me interested throughout especially seeing the the different perspectives from Chris and Neil on the same ride.
Geared for keen cyclists one does get into an insight of more dedicated cyclists. I had quite a few laughs whilst reading the second half of the book.
Well written , kept me interested throughout especially seeing the the different perspectives from Chris and Neil on the same ride.
September 30, 2015
Absolutely delightful! So spot on I frequently laughed out loud!! These boys so 'get' what it's like to be old geezers on road bikes. "But the best to look the best to be the best."
"My training was affected by a combination of laziness and laziness." An ode to the joys of road cycling. This book deserves wide readership.
"My training was affected by a combination of laziness and laziness." An ode to the joys of road cycling. This book deserves wide readership.
December 15, 2013
Enjoyable read/viewing reflection in the mirror experience. I am of the ilk of "buying the best to look the best to be the best. As a mid life cyclist much of the competitive spirit sung by the book's authors rang true. Chapeau.
January 30, 2014
A quick amusing little read, it will prob be lost on non cyclists but I doubt many non cyclists would pick it up in the first place.
Amusing throughout but it made me laugh out loud a good few times during the big Belgian encounter in the second half of the book.
Would recommend.
Amusing throughout but it made me laugh out loud a good few times during the big Belgian encounter in the second half of the book.
Would recommend.
October 29, 2013
Mid-Life Cyclists does what it says on the tin, reminded me of myself, had me laughing a lot, nice price, worth buying.
March 3, 2014
Written by cyclists, for the MAMIL, thoroughly enjoyed it, probably because I can see bits of me and my cycling mates being described all the way through!
March 2, 2014
Hilarious, cleverly written book about adult amateur cyclist. I will likely read this book again at some point.
April 13, 2014
Good read
this book was very true to life for me. it had me in the moment and I look forward to riding through Belgium's beautiful countryside.
this book was very true to life for me. it had me in the moment and I look forward to riding through Belgium's beautiful countryside.
August 17, 2014
Very funny if you are a cyclist, probably pass you by if not!
January 12, 2015
Loved it, funny read that was pretty much describing me! Great read for anybody that has taken up road cycling, especially in mid life!
May 22, 2015
I felt a little like I was reading about myself. A good, enjoyable, easy read. I'd love to hear more of his escapades, as I know there's got to be some other good stories!
August 27, 2015
Fantastic, very very funny and so so true, will re-read this over and over
September 18, 2015
Good read for any middle aged cycling enthusiast
February 24, 2016
I seem to be reading about myself, such a relatable read but I suspect only if you ride can you really appreciate
March 7, 2016
Started a bit slow but wound up being truly laugh out loud funny. "Mature" cyclists will love this book.
May 12, 2016
As a middle-aged cyclist there are many things that I have experienced that are quite comical when reading of similar ideas, or things happening to other people. Enjoyable read.
August 19, 2016
Honest account of 2 mamils adventures
A self deprecating account of what it is to be a middle aged cyclist. Good read if you are one.
A self deprecating account of what it is to be a middle aged cyclist. Good read if you are one.
September 26, 2013
Entertaining account of the highs and lows of an addiction to cycling.
Read
August 12, 2018So true of so many cyclists
Great book, which is so true of so many mid-life cyclists. We are all faster, and more athletic looking in our minds. So many funny stories I could relate to.
Great book, which is so true of so many mid-life cyclists. We are all faster, and more athletic looking in our minds. So many funny stories I could relate to.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews