Book Review – Bike Snob; Systematically & Mercilessly Realigning The World Of Cycling

July 8, 2010 in 2 WHEELED INSPIRATION, Bookshelf | No comments

In my family it’s acceptable to read books before you give them as gifts, but last minute planning on my part made it impossible for me to read blogger Eben Weiss’ new book “Bike Snob; Systematically & Mercilessly Realigning The World Of Cycling” before wrapping it and giving it to my husband for his birthday. I finally wrested it out of his hands and have read it myself.

This crazy little hardback volume (has the heft of an old-time Latin primer) lampoons roadies and messengers, urban cyclists and triathletes, cyclocrossers and mountain bikers. No cycling discipline is sacred in Weiss’, more widely known as the Bike Snob, view. His witty anecdotal tales are interspersed with fantastic illustrations by Christopher Koelle.

http://www.bikejuju.com/2010/chris-koelle-profile-bike-snob/

Tackling a variety of subjects ranging from “Fear, And How to Survive on A Bike” to “Rules vs. Fashion” and “What is a Cyclist and Why Would Anyone Want to Be One?” The Bike Snob intersperses his chapters with tales of his personal and humorous experiences.

I learned about the urban and messenger bike cultures in New York City, The Bike Snob’s home turf. As a country gal, this was an amusing eye-opener for me and made me better understand what’s behind all those bikes without brakes that I see when I’m in Manhattan. Bike Snob thinks that brakes are good and that messenger bags are stupid. (I thought I was alone here!)

The chapter “A Brief Guide to Etiquette For Non-Cyclists” with sub-chapters such as “Let Bikes Inside”, “Don’t Ask Us If We’re Going To Ride in The Tour de France” and “Don’t Mention Impotence”, tackles subjects that other cycling books don’t go near.

What I really like about this little book is that it captures the essence of why cyclists love to ride their bikes and that once you pare away the superfluous (equipment, clothing, attitude) it’s all about the joy of riding your bike. It will make you laugh out loud.

Visit BikeSnobNYC for your daily dose of sharp-witted cycling commentary.

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/

In my family it’s acceptable to read books before you give them as gifts, but last minute planning on my part made it impossible for me to read blogger Eben Weiss’ new book “Bike Snob; Systematically & Mercilessly Realigning The World Of Cycling” before wrapping it and giving it to my husband for his birthday. I finally wrested it out of his hands and have read it myself.

This crazy little hardback volume (has the heft of an old-time Latin primer) lampoons roadies and messengers, urban cyclists and triathletes, cyclocrossers and mountain bikers. No cycling discipline is sacred in Weiss’ (more widely known as the Bike Snob) view. His witty anecdotal tales are interspersed with fantastic illustrations by Christopher Koelle.

Tackling a variety of subjects ranging from “Fear, And How to Survive On A Bike” to “Rules vs. Fashion” and “What Is A Cyclist and Why Would Anyone Want to Be One?”, the Bike Snob intersperses his chapters with tales of his personal and humorous experiences.

I learned about the urban and messenger bike cultures in New York City, The Bike Snob’s home turf. As a country gal, this was an amusing eye-opener for me and made me better understand what’s behind all those brakeless bikes that I see when I’m in Manhattan. Bike Snob thinks that brakes are good and that messenger bags are stupid. (I thought I was alone here!)