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Bloody Minded: My Life in Cycling
SHORTLISTED FOR THE SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2024 – CYCLING BOOK OF THE YEAR
'Immensely readable and revealing'
The Guardian
'A must read'
Phil Liggett, MBE
'A story like no other in cycling'
Ned Boulting
IMAGINE COMPETING IN THE WORLD'S MOST BRUTAL CYCLE RACES, KNOWING THAT A CRASH COULD BE FATAL
Alex Dowsett is one of Britain's greatest cyclists. He has ridden Grand Tours and Classics for elite teams including Sky and Movistar and broke the iconic World Hour Record – the ultimate time trial challenge. With humour, insight and honesty, Alex recounts his years as a pro-cyclist and the challenges he has faced in his struggle to reach the top.
Alex has achieved all this despite being the only able-bodied elite sportsperson in the world with haemophilia A. He describes how the condition – in which falls can be fatal – both blighted his young sporting life, and boosted his determination to succeed. Every professional cyclist requires courage, but Alex takes fearlessness to another level in a sport where injury and suffering are a given.
With an all-star cycling cast, including Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome, Mark Cavendish and Lance Armstrong, this pulsating book lifts the lid on life in the peloton at the world's top level. From his highs – including Giro d'Italia stage victories – to his frustrations at the injustices he faced in the sport, Alex's memoir perfectly chronicles a career in which he was driven equally by love and rage.
Combining Alex's personal triumphs with his unique take on being part of the golden age of British cycling, this is an unmissable tale of sporting endeavour.
'A fascinating insight into the mindset of an elite sportsman who overcame great odds to reach the very top'
Simon Brotherton
'The humblest super-talent in the peloton, proving nice guys can win. A wonderful book'
Carlton Kirby
'An inspiration for anyone who wants to do whatever they're told they can't.'
Michael Hutchinson
'Such an inspiring tale. Poignant and moving, and told with forthright honesty'
Peter Cossins
'Immensely readable and revealing'
The Guardian
'A must read'
Phil Liggett, MBE
'A story like no other in cycling'
Ned Boulting
IMAGINE COMPETING IN THE WORLD'S MOST BRUTAL CYCLE RACES, KNOWING THAT A CRASH COULD BE FATAL
Alex Dowsett is one of Britain's greatest cyclists. He has ridden Grand Tours and Classics for elite teams including Sky and Movistar and broke the iconic World Hour Record – the ultimate time trial challenge. With humour, insight and honesty, Alex recounts his years as a pro-cyclist and the challenges he has faced in his struggle to reach the top.
Alex has achieved all this despite being the only able-bodied elite sportsperson in the world with haemophilia A. He describes how the condition – in which falls can be fatal – both blighted his young sporting life, and boosted his determination to succeed. Every professional cyclist requires courage, but Alex takes fearlessness to another level in a sport where injury and suffering are a given.
With an all-star cycling cast, including Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome, Mark Cavendish and Lance Armstrong, this pulsating book lifts the lid on life in the peloton at the world's top level. From his highs – including Giro d'Italia stage victories – to his frustrations at the injustices he faced in the sport, Alex's memoir perfectly chronicles a career in which he was driven equally by love and rage.
Combining Alex's personal triumphs with his unique take on being part of the golden age of British cycling, this is an unmissable tale of sporting endeavour.
'A fascinating insight into the mindset of an elite sportsman who overcame great odds to reach the very top'
Simon Brotherton
'The humblest super-talent in the peloton, proving nice guys can win. A wonderful book'
Carlton Kirby
'An inspiration for anyone who wants to do whatever they're told they can't.'
Michael Hutchinson
'Such an inspiring tale. Poignant and moving, and told with forthright honesty'
Peter Cossins
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2023
19 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 16, 2024
I really enjoyed it.
November 19, 2023
Wow, this was captivating.
I've only started watching pro cycling over the past few years but now I wish I had paid more attention to Alex, wasn't aware of his background circumstances.
Surprised at the amount of honesty re: how shit some teams are at doing what they should, but hey, as a reader - certainly not complaining, those were the best bits.
I've only started watching pro cycling over the past few years but now I wish I had paid more attention to Alex, wasn't aware of his background circumstances.
Surprised at the amount of honesty re: how shit some teams are at doing what they should, but hey, as a reader - certainly not complaining, those were the best bits.
February 5, 2024
You know when you read an autobiography and feel like you are on the side of the author and tend to perceive all the episodes through their eyes and as if they were always rights and the problem is always the others? Well, this is not the case. Although being honest (and maybe because of it), I just never fully fell for this story.
January 1, 2024
more dirt than many cycling memoirs, but mostly an interesting insight into a not quite superstar who has haemophilia.
January 20, 2025
I met Alex in February 2019 at a promotion event in Essex. We even rode together ... along with about 100 others. Afterwards he was standing alone with his Dad (I think folks were slightly worried about approaching him) so I went over and chatted to him.
Looking back I don't think I realised he was still very much mid-career (I'm a cycling fan but not deep into the pro sport) and probably didn't pay him quite the respect he deserved (I remember telling him enthuastically how I'd met Harry Tanfield out on a cafe ride just a couple months earlier, rather than asking Alex more about himself, not realising that Harry was very much a neo-pro compared to Alex achievements). But he seemed relaxed and happy to chat.
So I kind of felt like 'I knew him' but this book was a real eye-opener and what makes it so so very good (possibly a 4.5/5.0) is he really wears his heart on his sleeve in it's pages ... quite different to the slightly shy, but affable guy I met that day.
What this means is that in places he reveals aspects of himself that are less attractive (although that's in the eye of the observer I guess) but he can't be judged critically on that since he's really putting himself out there in this book. Certainly you get the feeling that he feels slightly 'always the bridesmaid' and that he hasn't had the best support from the teams (Sky, Movistar, Katusha, ISUN, ...) at times.
He certainly goes into the personalities of others and his relations with them ... Wiggins, Cav, Froome, Brailsford, Millar, ... and he's far from gushing about them in places! He also lays bare his relationship with Chanel
In summary I loved this book - it's not self-serving and his direct and honest style, along with a real peek behind-the-scenes of pro-cycling means it's very compelling.
Definitely up there with the David Millar book ('Racing through Darkness' which is another fave of mine)
Looking back I don't think I realised he was still very much mid-career (I'm a cycling fan but not deep into the pro sport) and probably didn't pay him quite the respect he deserved (I remember telling him enthuastically how I'd met Harry Tanfield out on a cafe ride just a couple months earlier, rather than asking Alex more about himself, not realising that Harry was very much a neo-pro compared to Alex achievements). But he seemed relaxed and happy to chat.
So I kind of felt like 'I knew him' but this book was a real eye-opener and what makes it so so very good (possibly a 4.5/5.0) is he really wears his heart on his sleeve in it's pages ... quite different to the slightly shy, but affable guy I met that day.
What this means is that in places he reveals aspects of himself that are less attractive (although that's in the eye of the observer I guess) but he can't be judged critically on that since he's really putting himself out there in this book. Certainly you get the feeling that he feels slightly 'always the bridesmaid' and that he hasn't had the best support from the teams (Sky, Movistar, Katusha, ISUN, ...) at times.
He certainly goes into the personalities of others and his relations with them ... Wiggins, Cav, Froome, Brailsford, Millar, ... and he's far from gushing about them in places! He also lays bare his relationship with Chanel
In summary I loved this book - it's not self-serving and his direct and honest style, along with a real peek behind-the-scenes of pro-cycling means it's very compelling.
Definitely up there with the David Millar book ('Racing through Darkness' which is another fave of mine)
April 16, 2024
When this book was released, I was excited to check it out as Alex Dowsett is a wonderful role model. He is a smart cyclist who is happy to educate others. He is humble and level headed, as shown by his frequent acknowledgements to the great individuals who helped his career.
The book gives fascinating insights into his career, with fun insights into teams & cyclists, and the many challenges struggling for a contract, which is quite shocking considering his accomplishments & knowledge.
The book was very educational on his haemophilia condition, describing the extreme difficulties, including societal. He also acknowledges the major strain on parents, with the difficult decisions & worries.
This book had many very powerful sections which tugged on my emotions, which surprised me as that is a rare thing. Chapter 17: Stage 8 - Giro d Italia was the major highlight, constantly delivering scenes which had me a little choked up, a bit awkward when reading in a public cafe.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly and will be recommending it to friends.
The book gives fascinating insights into his career, with fun insights into teams & cyclists, and the many challenges struggling for a contract, which is quite shocking considering his accomplishments & knowledge.
The book was very educational on his haemophilia condition, describing the extreme difficulties, including societal. He also acknowledges the major strain on parents, with the difficult decisions & worries.
This book had many very powerful sections which tugged on my emotions, which surprised me as that is a rare thing. Chapter 17: Stage 8 - Giro d Italia was the major highlight, constantly delivering scenes which had me a little choked up, a bit awkward when reading in a public cafe.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly and will be recommending it to friends.
July 8, 2024
One of my favourite sport autobiographies ever. Alex manages to take you on the journey with him. You gain understanding of the strength his parents must have displayed. There’s an enormous amount of self-awareness in the hindsight of plenty of his situations. I think back to his more recent Giro stage win and remember being delighted for him, reading the book tells you what was going on in the background.
It never sinks into self-pity or trying to milk sympathy and it has some really funny moments. I’ll have to read it again.
It never sinks into self-pity or trying to milk sympathy and it has some really funny moments. I’ll have to read it again.
January 12, 2025
I listened to the audio and was thoroughly engaged and entertained. Alex Dowsett's story is fascinating from his diagnosis as a hemophiliac to his decision to take up cycling with the support of his parents to his embracing his talent on the bike and taking it to the next level--over and over again. I followed his cycling career and his memoir brings everything into clearer focus. It's great to hear from someone who has raced clean, been a positive influence on his team(s) and contributed so much to both his sport and his charity.
November 15, 2023
Surprised
I have read quite a few “cycling” books. In Bloody Minded Alex Dowsett is honest, engaging, insightful and entertaining. This book exceeded my expectations and I regard it as one of the best, if not the best that I have read. It is far more than a book about the technicalities of life as a professional cyclist, or a bundle of “racing” stories cobbled together.
I have read quite a few “cycling” books. In Bloody Minded Alex Dowsett is honest, engaging, insightful and entertaining. This book exceeded my expectations and I regard it as one of the best, if not the best that I have read. It is far more than a book about the technicalities of life as a professional cyclist, or a bundle of “racing” stories cobbled together.
August 29, 2024
A lovely read. Incredible the fear his parents went through with the early haemophilia diagnosis. Well written and easy to read. Concentrating on certain key races and times in his life rather than listing every race. All so a nice departure from I trained really hard and crushed all my goals and won everything.
January 15, 2025
I have read a lot of cycling books and this is one of the easiest to read. A lot of them name drop cyclists, mountains, and races ad nauseam until your eyes start closing involuntarily. This book, however, also tells the story of a life. I think even people who don’t really watch cycling could enjoy it.
December 7, 2023
As a fan of all sports and sports autobiography’s . This was one of the best sports books I’ve read in years. How he didn’t let haemophilia define who he was and went on to forge a top class career in cycling
February 15, 2024
A Great Read, honest and candid
A very honest and candid insight into the world of professional cycling. Dowsett clearly faces challenges right from the start and faces them with a passion and emotional honesty that contributes to an intriguing read. Chapeaux.
A very honest and candid insight into the world of professional cycling. Dowsett clearly faces challenges right from the start and faces them with a passion and emotional honesty that contributes to an intriguing read. Chapeaux.
May 18, 2024
Brilliant
Throughly enjoyed Mr.Dowsett’s book. Candid and forthcoming about the trial’s professional athlete’s face in the sport I enjoy and admire as a spectator and recreational biker.
Throughly enjoyed Mr.Dowsett’s book. Candid and forthcoming about the trial’s professional athlete’s face in the sport I enjoy and admire as a spectator and recreational biker.
November 24, 2025
I skim read a bit. Too much cycling detail 😀
Very interesting to read about his childhood growing up with haemophilia and how he and his family didn't let that define him, and instead he became a top professional cyclist. Also interesting to see what effect having that condition has had on him mentally. Appreciated his honesty - a humble chap.
Very interesting to read about his childhood growing up with haemophilia and how he and his family didn't let that define him, and instead he became a top professional cyclist. Also interesting to see what effect having that condition has had on him mentally. Appreciated his honesty - a humble chap.
October 22, 2023
Loved it! Such a hero
February 27, 2024
Very good. Easy read and lots of personal thoughts on his experiences and cycling.
December 29, 2024
Fantastic read detailing Alex’s life and career.
February 16, 2024
By far the best and most captivating book I’ve read in SUCH a long time. To Alex, Chanel, Juliette. Thank you. You’re a beautiful family. Thank you Alex for telling your story. A harsh but truthful insight into the world of professional cycling and everything that goes on behind the scenes. And a superfluous figurehead for raising awareness of haemophilia. As a medical student and triathlete, this opened my eyes in more ways than one. Incredible book, please read.
August 4, 2024
A very real & honest account from a Professional cyclist within the pro peloton. I really enjoyed reading Alex’s story’s good & bad over the years and shining a light on how the pro cycling world aren’t necessarily showered with the best tech available. Would appear the dentists are still on better kit!
Wish Alex and family the best for the future.
Wish Alex and family the best for the future.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews