Top 50 Books
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The Fifty Best Cycling Books English language books • Indexed by title • Chosen by Palo Alto Bicycles |
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The American Bicycle
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Pridmore, Jay and Hurd, Jim | Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1995. 192 pp. |
General Book A coffee table book of the best sort. Sumptious color photos of perfectly restored machines from the1860’s to the present. |
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Anybody’s Bike Book
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Cuthbertson, Tom | Ten Speed Press, 1990 (first edition 1971). 215 pp. |
Repair, Maintenance and Technical A straightforward guide to basic bike repair with good advice, clear illustrations, and a sense of humor. |
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Around the World on a Bicycle
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Stevens, Thomas | London: Century Books, 1988 (reprint of the original that was published in two volumes in 1887). 409 pp. |
Account of Ride (Narrative) Lively account of the first round-the-world bike ride. A classic. Illustrated. |
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Bartleet’s Bicycle Book
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Bartleet, H.W. | No publication information or date (Birmingham, UK: Pinkerton Press, 1983). 171 pp. |
History or Historical Book Reprint of the 1931 edition published by Ed. J. Burrow, London. Details of the Bartleet collection of bicycles and anecdotes of early cycling history. |
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The American Bicycler: A Manual for the Observer, the Learner, and the Expert
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Pratt, Charles E. | Boston: Rockwell and Churchill, 1879. |
History or Historical Book |
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The Bicycle
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Dodge, Pryor | Paris: Flammarion, 1996. 224 pp. |
General Book Beautiful images of old bicycles and objects related to the bicycle and cycling. |
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The Bicycle Builder’s Bible
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Wiley, Jack. B | lue Ridge Summit, PA: TAB Books, 1980. 376 pp. |
Repair, Maintenance and Technical Bicycle choice and repair plus extensive information about building unusual machines such as rail cycles, unicycles, artistic bicycles, novelty bikes for parades. |
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Bicycle Road Racing
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Borysewicz, Edward | VeloNews Books, 1985. 276 pp. |
Training, Physiology, and Competitive Techniques A practical guide to training and race tactics by the coach who oversaw the development of successful riders such as LeMond, Hampsten, and Phinney. |
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Bicycle Touring International
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Nasr, Kameel | San Francisco: Bicycle Books, 1992. 287 pp. |
Touring Book Equipment, preparation, introduction to ten regions, and summaries of touring opportunities in 109 countries. |
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Bicycle Transportation
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Forester, John | MIT. Press, 1983. 394 pp. |
Transportation, Advocacy, and Law A manual for traffic engineers and a source book for cycling transportation advocates. Forester strongly argues his theory of ‘vehicular cycling.’ |
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The Bicycle: Vehicle for a Small Planet
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Lowe, Marcia | Washington DC: Worldwatch Institute, 1989. 61 pp. |
Transportation, Advocacy, and Law A carefully researched booklet advocating increased worldwide use of bicycles for transportation. |
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The Bicycle Wheel
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Brandt, Jobst | Palo Alto, CA: Avocet, 1993 (first edition 1981). 150 pp. |
Repair, Maintenance and Technical A lucid engineering analysis of the wheel and a guide to building wheels. |
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Bicycle: Around the World
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Svendsen, Linda | Layton, UT: Gibbs Smith, 2002. Unpaged. |
General Book A photo essay. Bicycles photographed around the world make a powerful statement about the individual cultures where they are used and about the bicycle itself. |
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Bicycles and Tricycles
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Sharp, Archibald | Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1979 (reprint of original published in 1896). 536 pp. |
General Book More than century after it was written Sharp’s book remains the most important text on bicycle mechanical engineering and early history. |
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Bicycling for Ladies
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Ward, Maria E. | New York: Brentano’s, 1896. 200 pp. |
History or Historical Book Dress, care of the bicycle, mechanics, training. |
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Bicycling Magazine’s Complete Guide to Riding and Racing Techniques
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Matheny, Fred | Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1989. 245 pp. |
Training, Physiology, and Competitive Techniques Conditioning programs, techniques and tactics for the serious and competitive rider. |
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Bike Cult
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Perry, David B. | New York: Four Walls Eight Windows, 1995. 570 pp. |
General Book The variety and excitement of cycling captured in facts, figures, names, lists, and images. |
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Collecting and Restoring Antique Bicycles
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Adams, G. Donald | Orchard Park, NY: Burgwardt Bicycle Museum, 1996. |
General Book The definitive book on collecting bicycles from the earliest hobby horses through turn-of-the century safeties. |
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The Cyclers’ Guide and Road Book of California |
Blum, Geo. W. | 1896, 80 pp |
Route Guide Seven sectional relief maps showing all available cycling roads from Chico to San Diego plus a map of Golden Gate Park. |
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Cycling (The C.O.N.I. Manual) |
Central Sports School of Rome (ed) | Pensiero Scientifico, 1972. 271 pp |
Training, Physiology, and Competitive Techniques Equipment, training, and competition in 1960’s Italy. |
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Cycling Art, Energy, and Locomotion: A Series of Remarks on the Development of Bicycles, Tricycles and Man-Motor Carriages
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Scott, Robert P. | Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1889. 305 pp. |
History or Historical Book |
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Cycling
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Mackenzie, Jeanne (ed) | Oxford: Oxford Small Books Press, 1981.110 pp. |
Fiction, Belles Lettres, and Humor Brief literary excerpts on cyclists and cycling. |
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The Dancing Chain: History and Development of the Derailleur Bicycle
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Berto, Frank J. and Shepherd, Ron | Van der Plas Publications, 2000. 320 pp. |
History or Historical Book Traces the evolution of the modern multispeed bicycle transmission. |
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Effective Cycling
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Forester, John | Cambridge, MA: M.I.T Press, 1993 (first edition 1975). 599 pp. |
General Book Its combination of engineering and cycling advocacy makes it unique, and, one of the few original cycling books. |
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The Epiplectic Bicycle
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Gorey, Edward | New York: Harcourt Brace, 1997. Unpaged. |
Fiction, Belles Lettres, and Humor A mysterious bicycle carries Ewbert and Embly through space and time. |
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Frail Dream of Timbuktu
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Selby, Bettina | London: John Murray, 1991. 230 pp. |
Account of Ride (Narrative) A journey to explore the land of ancient African empires along the southern fringes of the Sahara. |
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Freestylin’: The Book |
Lewman, Mark and Barrette, Craig (Lew & Gork) | Wizard Publications, 1987. |
General Book Classic book by the two men who helped to define modern acrobatic riding. |
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The History and Development of Cycles, 2 volumes |
Caunter, C.F. | London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, Vol. I 1955, Vol. II 1958. |
History or Historical Book |
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King of the Road, An Illustrated History of Cycling
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Ritchie, Andrew | London: Wildwood House, 1975 (also Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press, 1975). 192 pp. |
History or Historical Book A history in pictures and text of the origin of the bicycle and its early development. Rare photos. |
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Major Taylor
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Ritchie, Andrew | San Francisco: Bicycle Books, 1988. 304 pp. |
Biography A multidimensional story of a great cyclist in the golden age of U.S. cycling, who triumphed despite his color during a very bleak period of racism and discrimination. |
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Miles From Nowhere
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Savage, Barbara | Seattle: The Mountaineers, 1983. 324 pp. |
Account of Ride (Narrative) The engaging story of a round-the-world tour. |
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The Mountain Bike Way of Knowledge
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Nealy, William | Birmingham, AL: Menasha Ridge Press, 1989. 128 pp. |
General Book Humorous cartoon explanations of mountain biking principles and the joys and challenges of the sport. |
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On Your Bicycle
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McGurn, James | New York: Facts on File Publications, 1987. 208 pages. |
History or Historical Book Authoritative history of the machine and sport; engagingly written and filled with wonderful old photographs. |
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One Hundred Years of Bicycle Posters |
Rennert, Jack | New York: Harper and Row, 1973. |
General Book Bicycle product and event posters from 1868 to 1972. |
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Over the Alps on a Bicycle |
Pennell, Elizabeth Robins | London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1898. 128 pp. A |
Account of Ride (Narrative) A journey over ten passes of the Alps including La Tete Noire, St. Bernard, Simplon, Spugen, San Bernardino, St. Gotthard, the Furka, the Grimsel, the Brunig. |
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Pedal Power
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McCullagh, James | Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1977. 133 pp. |
General Book Adapting the pedal drive of the bicycle to power various vehicles, pumps, fans, generators, and other machines. |
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The Pedestrian Hobby-Horse
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Street, Roger | Christchurch, Dorset, UK: Artesius Publications, 1998. 195 pp. |
History or Historical Book Fascinating account of the first phase of bicycle development. Color illustrations. |
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The Penguin Bicycle Handbook
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Van der Plas, Rob | Harmondsworth, UK: Penguin Books, 1983. 284 pp. |
General Book A great deal of information in a concise format. Many clear illustrations. |
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Points for Cyclists with Training
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Zimmerman, A. A. and Bowden, Frank | Leicester, UK: 1893. |
Training, Physiology, and Competitive Techniques A training manual by one of the world’s greatest sprinters. Although written over 100 years ago, much of the advice is still valid. |
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A Rough Ride
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Kimmage, Paul | Stanley Paul, 1990. 199 pp. |
Racing Book An intimate glance into the world of professional cycling. Includes an exposé of drug use in the peloton. |
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Round Ireland in Low Gear
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Newby, Eric | New York: Viking Penguin, 1988 (first edition 1987). 308 pp. |
Account of Ride (Narrative) The old story of an unprepared, bumbling cyclist facing the challenges of a long journey. Newby’s style and his authority as a travel writer let him transcend the trite genre. |
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A Social History of the Bicycle
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Smith, Robert A. | American Heritage Press, 1972. 269 pp. |
History or Historical Book Engaging and revealing story of the bicycle in America. A classic of bicycle literature. |
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Sutherland’s Handbook for Bicycle Mechanics
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Sutherland, Howard | Berkeley, CA: Sutherland, 1995. 580 pp. |
Repair, Maintenance and Technical The standard manual on part specifications and bicycle shop procedures. |
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Three Men on the Bummel |
Jerome, Jerome K. | Gloucester (UK): Alan Sutton Publishing, 1987 (originally published in 1900). 231 pp. |
Fiction, Belles Lettres, and Humor Three friends on a cycling ramble through Germany at the turn of the century. Understated English humor. |
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The Ukimwi Road
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Murphy, Dervla | Woodstock, NY: The Overlook Press, 1993. |
Account of Ride (Narrative) Murphy witnesses the devistation of the AIDS and Ebola epidemics on a 3000 mile north-south ride through rural Africa. |
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Velocipedes, Bicycles and Tricycles. How to Make and How to Use Them
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Velox (pseudonym) | London: George Routledge and Sons, 1869. Also a facsimile edition, East Ardley, UK: S.R. Publishers, 1971. |
History or Historical Book |
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Visions of Cycling |
Watson, Graham | Boulder, CO: VeloNews Books, 1989. 127 pp. |
Racing Book Vivid race photos accompanied by a lucid text about race photography and the annual round of races. |
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Wide-Eyed and Legless: Inside the Tour de France |
Connor, Jeff | New York: Simon and Schuster, 1988. |
Racing Book |
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The Wind in My Wheels |
Dew, Josie | Little Brown, 1992. |
Account of Ride (Narrative) World travels of an intrepid and indomitable cyclist. |
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Yellow Jersey
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Hurne, Ralph | New York: Simon and Schuster, 1973. 255 pp. |
Fiction, Belles Lettres, and Humor A novel about retired racer who stages a comeback in the Tour de France. |
| Adams, G. Donald | Collecting and Restoring Antique Bicycles |
| Bartleet, H.W. | Bartleet’s Bicycle Book |
| Berto, Frank J. and Shepherd, Ron | The Dancing Chain: History and Development of the Derailleur Bicycle |
| Blum, Geo. W. | The Cyclers’ Guide and Road Book of California |
| Borysewicz, Edward | Bicycle Road Racing |
| Brandt, Jobst | The Bicycle Wheel |
| Caunter, C.F. | The History and Development of Cycles (2 volumes) |
| Central Sports School of Rome (ed) | Cycling (The C.O.N.I. Manual) |
| Connor, Jeff | Wide-Eyed and Legless: Inside the Tour de France |
| Cuthbertson, Tom | Anybody’s Bike Book |
| Dew, Josie | The Wind in My Wheels |
| Dodge, Pryor | The Bicycle |
| Forester, John | Bicycle Transportation |
| Forester, John | Effective Cycling |
| Gorey, Edward | The Epiplectic Bicycle |
| Hurne, Ralph | Yellow Jersey |
| Jerome, Jerome K. | Three Men on the Bummel |
| Kimmage, Paul | A Rough Ride |
| Lewman, Mark and Barrette, Craig (Lew & Gork) | Freestylin’: The Book |
| Lowe, Marcia | The Bicycle: Vehicle for a Small Planet |
| Mackenzie, Jeanne (ed) | Cycling |
| Matheny, Fred | Bicycling Magazine’s Complete Guide to Riding and Racing Techniques |
| McCullagh, James | Pedal Power |
| McGurn, James | On Your Bicycle |
| Murphy, Dervla | The Ukimwi Road |
| Nasr, Kameel | Bicycle Touring International |
| Nealy, William | The Mountain Bike Way of Knowledge |
| Newby, Eric | Round Ireland in Low Gear |
| Pennell, Elizabeth Robins | Over the Alps on a Bicycle |
| Perry, David B. | Bike Cult |
| Pratt, Charles E. | The American Bicycler: A Manual for the Observer, the Learner, and the Expert |
| Pridmore, Jay and Hurd, Jim | The American Bicycle |
| Rennert, Jack | One Hundred Years of Bicycle Posters |
| Ritchie, Andrew | Major Taylor |
| Ritchie, Andrew | King of the Road, An Illustrated History of Cycling |
| Savage, Barbara. | Miles From Nowhere |
| Scott, Robert P. | Cycling Art, Energy, and Locomotion: A Series of Remarks on the Development of Bicycles, Tricycles and Man-Motor Carriages |
| Selby, Bettina | Frail Dream of Timbuktu |
| Sharp, Archibald | Bicycles and Tricycles |
| Smith, Robert A. | A Social History of the Bicycle |
| Stevens, Thomas | Around the World on a Bicycle |
| Street, Roger | The Pedestrian Hobby-Horse |
| Sutherland, Howard | Sutherland’s Handbook for Bicycle Mechanics |
| Svendsen, Linda | Bicycle: Around the World |
| Van der Plas, Rob | The Penguin Bicycle Handbook |
| Velox (pseudonym) | Velocipedes, Bicycles and Tricycles. How to Make and How to Use Them |
| Ward, Maria E. | Bicycling for Ladies |
| Watson, Graham | Visions of Cycling |
| Wiley, Jack | The Bicycle Builder’s Bible |
| Zimmerman, A. A. and Bowden, Frank | Points for Cyclists with Training |
