‘The Rider’ by Peter Krabbe (Bloomsbury 2002)
First published in 1978 in Krabbe’s native Dutch though now happily translated into english this is a magnificent read – the very best writing I have come across on the subject of racing bicycles. It’s a fictional account of one race, the Tour de Mont Aigoual the ‘sweetest toughest race of the season’ from the point of view of one of the riders - Krabbe himself. It’s a compelling and swift read – you could conceivable read the book in the 4 1/2 hours it takes the race to reach its devastating conclusion - but most likely you will find yourself relishing the writing and - as you read, reflecting on your own experiences and thought processes when out on the bike.
For this book, better than any other in my opinion, illustrates and sets out the preposterous switches, leaps and repetitions of the mind as it seeks to maintain focus during a race. The mental and physical challenges of racing are mapped out in a chaos of observation, memory and metronomic mental riffing. I love the way Krabbe, (a champion chess player) mixes it all up in this book – not gratuitously for dramatic effect, or for any intellectual kudos but because that is
the way it is when you are out there on the road fighting for a good ride. Ideas are not concluded, thoughts are cut short, sums are not completed - memories explode and thoughts loop in the headlong clatter up the road.
The left and right sides of the brain, supposedly so distinct, begin to scramble as the legs become ‘black and scared’ by the effort and by the endless responding to the race unravelling around you. Krabbe documents this fascinating state of confusion that is shot through with the unwavering eye on the finale, the desire to cross the line first.A wonderful thing about this book is that it describes an amateur race – no closed roads or huge crowds here, instead the familiar scenario of sketchy descents, a cow on the road and the mythic unknown rider from Cycles Goff up the road.
It’s a book that is on the one hand deeply profound - ‘more races are lost than won’ and on the other hand it can be wretched and horribly blunt. It’s packed with excellent tips on sprinting, pacing and gearing and it’s awash with historical anecdotes. All in all it’s a great book about racing, one that I reckon I’ll read about once a year for the rest of my days.
My favourite quote, ‘A puncture, permission from beyond to stop the dying’.
Previously appeared in Glasgow Nightingale CC Newsletter August 2007
Listening to: The Monks - 'boys are boys and girls are girls'
