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What story would you write?

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Slow times in the cycling world… but Christmas is coming. That may entail long hours indoors in the Northern Hemisphere, or lazy days at the beach in the Southern Hemisphere. Either way, the time passes even more pleasurably with a book.

So if you were writing a book on cycling to while away the hours, what would its subject/s be? Given that so many people here write well, the idea of a cycling book is a real possibility. So share the bare bones here. You never know, the feedback you receive here might kick start a project.

To give you an idea… I’d really like to look at contemporary riders who spent their younger years in East Berlin. Men like Erik Zabel and Jens Voigt have big motors and big hearts and I’m interested in the effects of intensive training in the hothouse environs of sports high schools that boarded their students in the shadow of the Stazi. Jan Ullrich was also a product of such a school, as was Andreas Kloden. For me, the history, sociology and psychologyof such schools makes their alumni, recent past and present interesting.

After a project like that, I’d be interested in writing about young Australians in Europe at the beginning/ early years of their cycling careers. Even Haussler has been marginally luckier only recently declared himself bilingual. (Thanks Majope).  Others too  happily washed up in teams where they were initially marginalised by their inability to communicate effectively. So how did they survive and thrive? Who and what helped? Good questions for a second little book.

I don’t expect to sell many, but the research and writing would be fun. What about you?

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Haussler is only bilingual now.

He’s talked in interviews about how hard his first year in Germany was, since he didn’t speak the language. Had to get used to the climate, the food. There’s a good audio interview here where he discusses it.

It was just a long race--Edvald Boasson Hagen, on the Giro

by majope on Nov 22, 2009 11:19 AM EST reply actions  

Can't we ever just go with what's on the page?

I’ll edit it now Majope;)

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 22, 2009 11:23 AM EST up reply actions  

Or Flaubert

He’d surely be banned for excessive use of bandwidth.

by tedvdw on Nov 22, 2009 12:11 PM EST up reply actions  

Total hacks

both of them

Tolstoy had characters in his novels who’s names were more than 140 characters. #amateurs

by Jens on Nov 22, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Joyce . . .

Finnegan’s wake . . . 140 muti-lingually punning smaakmaaking characters at a time.

by R Mc on Nov 22, 2009 9:52 PM EST up reply actions  

My brain just exploded...

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 22, 2009 10:13 PM EST up reply actions  

Getting into War and Peace is like climbing Ventoux...so hard

but once you get into it you find it to be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.

by Albertina on Nov 23, 2009 6:20 AM EST up reply actions  

I'm afraid I'm still using it as a doorstop

(ruined for life by reading Dostoevsky as a teenager: not sure you can like both of them, though "like"’s probably the wrong word where Dostoevsky’s concerned)

by civetta on Nov 23, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions  

My cat

likes to sit on my copy of War and Peace. Far be it for me to disturb his habits by actually trying to read the thing.

by Jen See on Nov 23, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Give the cat the Brothers Karamazov instead.

I’m sure he/she wouldn’t notice the difference.

"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.

by Albertina on Nov 24, 2009 6:15 AM EST up reply actions  

I dunno

he’s the picky sort.

by Jen See on Nov 24, 2009 11:56 AM EST up reply actions  

Couldn't you just rip the cover off

and stick a copy of something else inside

by Monty. on Nov 24, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions  

How about

rubbing it with Lions’ poo or something like that. Apparently wearing rubber gloves makes it easier to turn the pages too.

by Monty. on Nov 24, 2009 12:18 PM EST up reply actions  

I read the first two chapters about 5 times

but then I was away.

That last bit, though—the essay about pre-determinism—that’s like sucking on a dry paddle pop stick.

by Drongo on Nov 23, 2009 8:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes, I kinda skimmed through that bit!

"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.

by Albertina on Nov 24, 2009 6:14 AM EST up reply actions  

Whilst I prefer fiction, as do many twitterers

I was thinking of non-fiction. Mind you, I can see me getting halfway through research and saying ’that’s enough,I’ll just use my imagination. That said, good books on cycling will add to its narrative ;)

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 22, 2009 12:01 PM EST up reply actions  

"Twitterers prefer fiction"

Are you saying that because of all the Wiggo/Sky tweets?

by Jens on Nov 22, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions  

You could...

write some posts profiling the young Australians during the offy. That would be fun readings! Not ezactly a book, but it would fill those long empty days of no bike racing :-)

by Jen See on Nov 22, 2009 6:43 PM EST reply actions  

I can't even begin to tell you how badly I'd do that.

I’d want to do lots of interviews and things, but Id be looking for the old hero’s journey type narratives. The palmares would be almost incidental. So you can be sure I’d piss off plenty of cycling fans.
PS. Shamefully, I consider our winter off season because I have the time and the inclination to watch bike races. In summer, other things mostly occupy me :(

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 23, 2009 2:27 AM EST up reply actions  

And to answer the question

I’d write about the Giro – a cultural history of sorts. Though not the whole thing, natch.

by Jen See on Nov 22, 2009 6:49 PM EST reply actions  

lol

maybe when i grow up ;-)

it would be fun to write a book-length piece, but not right at the moment.

by Jen See on Nov 23, 2009 5:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Not sure what I would write

On the other hand…can someone indicate to me a real good cycling book? Maybe about Roubaix or Flander so I can learn more about the classics during the off season.

Your bike doesn't want to crash so relax and let it roll!!!

by perezbike on Nov 22, 2009 8:46 PM EST reply actions  

I'd write about either a) talented young Americans who are trying to break through the pro ranks or get to Europe

nowadays and their journey though that is a bit overused OR b) Frans Verbeeck, one of the hardest men cycling has ever seen and probably one of the most prolific training schedule (though Freddy Maertens and Michel Pollentier could argue this point). Verbeeck was the nearly man of the 70’s as his career coincided with Merckx and they had some amazing duels.

by Vlaanderen90 on Nov 23, 2009 12:47 AM EST reply actions  

Basque cycling and politics.

A minefield, but would be fascinating. I’d probably need to learn Spanish/Basque first though….gargh.

"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.

by Albertina on Nov 23, 2009 6:22 AM EST reply actions  

Txanse would be a fine thing...

"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.

by Albertina on Nov 23, 2009 9:01 AM EST up reply actions  

Has anyone tackled the team aspect of cycling in a book?

I think it would be neat to look at specific wins that can be credited to entire teams more than individual riders.

by PopUp Rolen on Nov 23, 2009 10:34 AM EST reply actions  

I think Cadel spent a lot of pages on that topic in his book

“Fear of flying” or whatever it was called. Sort of a tribute to *Lotto.

by Jens on Nov 23, 2009 11:37 AM EST up reply actions  

Snark...

"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.

by Albertina on Nov 23, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions  

Whoa, too many to count...

A really good project would be writing a history of the 20th century using professional road cycling as a thread to tie it all together. Not a tome and not a scholarly work, but something about people who have enduring by suffering and joy.

Or something about beautiful Asturias that plumbs the mysterious depths of that place, based on cycling and Asturian cyclists.

The Vuelta is a goldmine of stories that are untapped by English-speakers. Even the Tour of Missouri, after only three seasons, is a rich pocket. The spirit of Dino Buzzati burns bright.

Or something creative and current and right-brained and crazy, like…I don’t know, like…HAIKU?

It would definitely be cool to do some off-the-wall creative right-brained burst.

Then there’s the obvious…

by Steno on Nov 23, 2009 12:10 PM EST reply actions  

I surely would want to make

 a documentary and report of a cyclingyear of Rabo. Where I just have to follow the riders and check their preparations and muuch more.. It’s done a honderd times probably but it still fascinates me.. I will come up with something more creative an other time

What do you fear most?
1. coup d’etat
2. putsch

by Frinking on Nov 23, 2009 12:40 PM EST reply actions  

I think there are a number of us who feel confident that you would make it unique ;)

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 24, 2009 3:29 AM EST up reply actions  

Lol.. But I have it.. Although it's not enough for a book..

The sprinters era’s! How long can a sprinter be The King of the sprint, who was it in which year, why and etc…

Just from the last 20 year obviously but I’m curious to see if there is a sort of patron in it.. (And when we can wave Cav goodbye (: )

What do you fear most?
1. coup d’etat
2. putsch

by Frinking on Nov 25, 2009 11:17 AM EST up reply actions  

dude you seriously need to write a memoir, preferably every 6 months or so

I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it

by plinytheelder on Nov 27, 2009 5:07 AM EST up reply actions  

Short answer? - none!

I have no intention whatsoever of writing a book. There was a time when I would have considered doing it… but my creativity found other paths, which are quite capable of consuming all possible ‘free time’ for the rest of my life…

So what book would I like to be written, for my reading pleasure? Hmmm… I’d quite like to read a book written by Will on his adventures cycling in the Alps. Expecially if he included nice big pictures of glaciers, mountain faces (famous north ones, especially), etc etc, that he has encountered in his travels ;-).

So… shall I look foreward to reading it in the next ‘off season’, Will? :-)

by Lou... on Nov 24, 2009 4:59 AM EST reply actions  

Does he have to lose any body parts?

Because I think we could be inspired even if he remained whole…

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 24, 2009 5:01 AM EST up reply actions  

I think I'd have to write a tell-all book

On why Jens! is actually Australian. It’d be titled “How Good Is That?!” Sub-heading to read “I ride on the front of the peloton and make people suffer…”

Or perhaps a cycling version of Where’s Wally/Waldo – lots of photos, points for spotting the different jerseys. Bonus points for correctly identifying the rider in said jersey.

I'm built for descending...

by omnevelnihil on Nov 24, 2009 7:50 PM EST reply actions  

I'd buy both of these...

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 24, 2009 7:52 PM EST up reply actions  

Where's Wally with cyclists....fabulous.

Some jerseys may be easier to spot than others. Where’s the ISD Rider might be a bit simple.

"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.

by Albertina on Nov 25, 2009 9:02 AM EST up reply actions  

"Girogirotondo" or a similar theme

   One hundred years of the Giro d’Italia. A history of Italy through Bicycle Heroes and Storytellers.
     I found this item from Italian Cycling Journal following links from Ryan_Lyles fanshot. It caught my eye as something that would be thoroughly enjoyable. Understanding the world and circumstances that the early racers performed in would give a better appreciation for their accomplishments.

"Drawing on my fine command of language I said nothing."- Groucho

by Mark Frank on Nov 25, 2009 11:05 AM EST reply actions  

And Pez has a man on the scene, amazing those Pez guys.

     Nice write up from someone who went to the lecture last week. Girogirotondo

"Drawing on my fine command of language I said nothing."- Groucho

by Mark Frank on Nov 25, 2009 8:24 PM EST up reply actions  

I’d write a novel based on the retirement of Bahamontes, putting down his bike and never riding again. Ch. Gaul would make an appearance.

I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it

by plinytheelder on Nov 27, 2009 5:12 AM EST reply actions  

Novels are my favourite. But will it mean that many people here won't read it because it's not the 'truth'?

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 27, 2009 6:05 AM EST up reply actions  

That's not true

I read Lance’s and Johan’s tweets, don’t I?

by Jens on Nov 27, 2009 10:19 AM EST up reply actions  

OK. They write fiction but it's still not a story (until we make it one) ;)

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 27, 2009 10:43 AM EST up reply actions  

'not' 'sure' '!'

;)

I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it

by plinytheelder on Nov 27, 2009 6:21 PM EST up reply actions  

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