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.

One of those with more than 140 characters.

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 :-)

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

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.

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.

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

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

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…

 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

Give me a week or two..

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.

   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.

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.