Riding Through the Storm: My Fight Back to Fitness on the Tour De France

by Geoff Thomas

As a soccer star for Crystal Palace and other top British clubs, Geoff Thomas was in peak physical shape. So when the recently retired athlete was diagnosed with leukemia in 2003, he focused upon an incredible feat of athletic achievement to help him survive. In the summer of 2005, following a bone marrow transplant that kept him alive, Thomas joined Lance Armstrong and the other elite bicyclists in the 2005 Tour de France on their grueling 21-day, 2,200 mile odyssey, despite having never before cycled competitively. This is his story, a true life tale of grit and determination in the face of a deadly disease, and of the iron-willed support of his family, friends, and fans who raised close to £200,000 ($385,000) for charity.

Genres: Cycling

261 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

You have to admire his courage and his commitment. I was enthralled by his experience of leukaemia and how he over came it. Loved his passion for the Tour de France and amazing how he undertook all 21 stages. The football stuff just passes me, not his fault, just not in my wheelhouse. Happy to have read it but more skim to the end than anything.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest I'm not much of a football follower so hadn't a clue who this fella was but anyhow that barely matters as this book takes you on a journey.
Well I say a journey ..two really one into the depths of leukemia and one into recovery and the feat of riding the 2005 tour de France route..both formidable challenges.
It's a decent read..he's inspired in this by cancer survivor (but after publication tainted) TDF multiple Lance Armstrong and his book ..but where as Lance's book is historical sports fiction now this isn't.
That said had the folks who rode this been submitted to tests around innocuous substances such as caffeine or necessary inhalers maybe a positive test would have occured😂...as in fairness there's small fry general accidental doping which is a wholly different thing to the whole systematic EPO thing.
Reading what the authors done since he has actually ridden a later stage with Lance but I think that's cool..despite the above I do think Lance was the best at a bad time in the sport.
Anyhow let's get away from all that this book isn't about doping it's about a fightback from a horrendous situation and in the time scale for getting fit is extremely impressive.
Would like a follow up book on the endeavours since as it's a decent narrative.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd always thought of Geoff Thomas as a bit of a joke. Journeyman footballer who somehow had played for his country before sucumming to injury and off-field excesses. The real story however begun after he retired and battles cancer....his account of the battle and subsequent charity rides following the tour de France are incredible. The mental and physical challenges were unbelievable. I now have total respect for the bloke and wholly forgive him for stealing a living at Wolves.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up Riding Through The Storm on a book swap shelf in NZ as it spoke of Le Tour de France, I did not expect it to include a brilliant narrative on the workings of English football through the late 80's to 2005. Fascinating read, quite emotive at times and certainly a book I would recommend if you enjoy cycling, football and fighting cancer.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story! A little rambly for me since I don't know about the teams he's played on or the games he played. Solid, though!