A book like no other, Paul Fournel's Need for the Bike conducts readers into a very personal world of communication and connection whose center is the bicycle, and where all people and things pass by way of the bike. In compact and suggestive prose, Fournel conveys the experience of cycling--from the initial charm of early outings to the dramas of the devoted cyclist. An extended meditation on cycling as a practice of life, the book recalls a country doctor who will not anesthetize the young Fournel after he impales himself on a downtube shifter, speculates about the difference between animals that would like to ride bikes (dogs, for instance) and those that would prefer to watch (cows, marmots), and reflects on the fundamental absurdity of turning over the pedals mile after excruciating mile. At the same time, Fournel captures the sound, smell, feel, and language of the reality and history of cycling, in the mountains, in the city, escaping the city, in groups, alone, suffering, exhausted, exhilarated. In his attention to the pleasures of cycling, to the specific "grain" of different cycling experiences, and to the inscription of these experiences in the body's cycling memory, Fournel portrays cycling as a descriptive universe, colorful, lyrical, inclusive, exclusive, complete.

Only the baddest of the bad enter the Viking's Biker Bar and Helen Hall has just stepped up to the mike… Known as 'Hell' to her friends, Helen is the lead singer of the Harpies, a local rock outfit known for their aggressive shows and no bullshit attitude. With no one daring to book the out of control rockers, Hell takes a gig at the renowned biker bar, even against the misgivings of her fellow band members. But when she meets the devastatingly sexy owner of the bar, Lee Evans, she thinks her band mates may have been right. Smooth, quick and with an alarming ability to disarm the usually unflappable rock chick, Lee manages to make her feel things she swore she would never let anyone make her feel. The music was all she cared about, it was everything to her and she had no room for anything else in her heart, she told herself, not even for the smirking face behind the bar. At least, that's what she keeps telling herself.

Bicycling is undergoing a renaissance in this country as millions of people are taking to the streets in this nostalgic, beloved pastime. From purchasing one's first bike to learning all its different components, Bicycling Big Book of Cycling for Beginners is the go-to guide for any beginning cyclist's collection. The vast territory of cycling and its facets will become a welcome terrain for any rider who wants to ride smarter, faster, and safer using this incredible wealth of knowledge. As the sales of new bicycles increase every year, these helpful tips will educate and inform beginning cyclists so they perform to the maximum potential, all while having fun. Trusted bicycle consultant Tori Bortman distills the essentials every beginning cyclist needs to know. She covers different types of rides, the components of bicycles, proper cycling clothing and equipment, basic road skills, nutrition, training, maintenance, and how to ride for a cause. She also explores how to approach cycling from the conceptual beginnings into tangible, real-time facts about riding as a new cyclist, as well as elaborating on the bountiful health benefits of cycling, including weight loss, stress reduction, and boosted immunity. This is the ultimate guide to bicycling know-how for beginning cyclists.

The world's authority on cycling provides a comprehensive guide to the sport for cyclists of all levels The sport of cycling has experienced an exciting boom in popularity fueled by Lance Armstrong's success and recent comeback, the popularity of triathlons, rising gas prices, and the need to find a sport that lets people have some fun while they get fit. No one knows more about this boom than the pros at Bicycling magazine. For nearly 50 years, Bicycling has brought its readers the most up-to-date advice on everything from training and gear to nutrition and stories of cycling's greatest stars. Now, for the first time, Bicycling gathers its best advice in The Big Book of Bicycling, a must-have book that cyclists of all levels can refer to again and again for answers to all of their cycling questions. Senior editor Emily Furia and her colleagues have gathered the latest, most useful information on getting started, buying gear, maintaining both road and mountain bikes, training for speed, racing techniques, understanding the rules of the road, and much more. This evergreen book is an invaluable resource for any cyclist who wants to ride their best.

Robert Penn has saddled up nearly every day of his adult life. In his late twenties, he pedaled 25,000 miles around the world. Today he rides to get to work, sometimes for work, to bathe in air and sunshine, to travel, to go shopping, to stay sane, and to skip bath time with his kids. He's no Sunday pedal pusher. So when the time came for a new bike, he decided to pull out all the stops. He would build his dream bike, the bike he would ride for the rest of his life; a customized machine that reflects the joy of cycling. It's All About the Bike follows Penn's journey, but this book is more than the story of his hunt for two-wheel perfection. En route, Penn brilliantly explores the culture, science, and history of the bicycle. From artisanal frame shops in the United Kingdom to California, where he finds the perfect wheels, via Portland, Milan, and points in between, his trek follows the serpentine path of our love affair with cycling. It explains why we ride. It's All About the Bike is, like Penn's dream bike, a tale greater than the sum of its parts. An enthusiastic and charming tour guide, Penn uses each component of the bike as a starting point for illuminating excursions into the rich history of cycling. Just like a long ride on a lovely day, It's All About the Bike is pure joy- enriching, exhilarating, and unforgettable.

The Bicycling Big Book of Training is an encouraging, focused training book that will speak to beginner and intermediate cyclists without making them feel like novices. It covers all the information the reader needs to begin an effective training regimen. The book is divided into five sections that are then broken into miniguides for various cycling training disciplines. Cyclists will learn about how the body becomes fit and how that fitness translates to on-the-bike performance, while discovering the components of a successful training plan, including nutrition. Furthermore, riding disciplines such as road racing, endurance events, cyclocross, mountain biking, and track are discussed at length so readers can figure out which activities are right for them. The Bicycling Big Book of Training is an excellent guide for anyone who wants to learn more about cycling and take their performance to the next level.

Recent statistics show that approximately 12 percent of motorcycle owners are women and that close to 25 percent of motorcycle riders are women. While it’s still a male-dominated field, the number of female bikers has increased by more than 25 percent in just five years, showing that women have a strong presence on two wheels. In The Women’s Guide to Motorcycling, author Lynda Lahman, herself a motorcycle owner and rider, provides a comprehensive look at motorcycling techniques, street smarts, and safety concerns while addressing female-specific challenges as well as issues that all bikers face from a female point of view. INSIDE The Women’s Guide to Motorcycling Anecdotes from female motorcycle enthusiasts, riders, and owners, including the author’s own story Women as a growing presence among riders, including notable names of the past and present Motorcycle skills from basic to advanced, appropriate for bikers of all levels of experience and expertise The physical and mental aspects of riding Considerations for choosing a bike, such as seat height and weight distribution, and female-appropriate gear A primer on proper maintenance and dealing with mechanical problems Different types of riding, such as sport, racing, touring, long distance, and off road Getting more out of the sport through involvement in clubs, forums, charity events, and mentoring new riders