Cyclecraft

I was reading through a copy of Bradley Wiggins’ In Pursuit of Glory in Waterstones Torquay, when I overheard a gentleman asking a sales assistant if there was a book on how to cycle safely on the road. Of course they came over to where i was standing, the sales assistant had a quick look and could see nothing. They then walked over to the driving section and the assistant said that all they had was a copy of the highway code but it’s section on cycling isn’t great. He proceeded to state ‘I’ve been working in bookstores for 15 years and I’ve not once come across a book which teaches you how to cycle’

I put the book down and walked towards the computing section to have a quick scan over a few books there. The gentleman was walking in my direction and I decided to approach him and see if I can point him in the right direction. I stated that i was a cyclist and I had overheard that he was looking for a cycling book and that I might be able to point him in the right direction. He said that the book was for his son, who wanted to start cycling to school but having been out with him, he was scared that his road sense was poor and he was often on the wrong side of the road. Just as I thought, he needs a copy of Cyclecraft but waterstones hasn’t got it. I let him know the title and author and that it was available on amazon.

I gave this man this information, without even having read this book. I gave him some advice from comments i had read from other cyclists i know that have it. It certainly does sound like what he was looking for but when i thought about it, i really should read this book before i give people advise about getting it.

A few days later I was in Watersones Exeter when I was again browsing the cycling section and Cyclecraft was there, strange then how the other branch had never heard of it. I picked it up, had a quick flick through and I had to buy it. I consider my self to be a good cyclist, with good road sense and I have taken onboard plenty of advise from other cyclists about cycling safely. It turns out that a lot of their knowledge could have come from this book, it certainly is a cracker and there is plenty of stuff to learn from it.

Cyclecraft provides a guide to safe cycling both for adults and children. It contains practical advice on how to ride a bike confidently and safely in modern traffic conditions; The following areas are covered, including: how to get started; choosing a bike; basic skills; sharing the road with other traffic; advanced techniques for cycling safety on busier roads and faster traffic; advice on carrying children and goods and riding with others.

It works with bikeability in teaching you what you need to know and in what stages. It’s great for a whole spectrum of learning, beginners to advanced users. A must buy for any cyclist that plans on using the road safely.


2 thoughts on “Cyclecraft

  1. Got this out from the local library a while back and had a read, certainly well worth purchasing! As you say it’s full of excellent advice that even an self-confessed experienced cyclist can learn a thing or two from. It’ll probably get added onto my Amazon wish-list towards the end of the year along with the 100 Hill Climbs book 🙂

  2. Got this out from the local library a while back and had a read, certainly well worth purchasing! As you say it’s full of excellent advice that even an self-confessed experienced cyclist can learn a thing or two from. It’ll probably get added onto my Amazon wish-list towards the end of the year along with the 100 Hill Climbs book
    +1

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