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Road Rash and Ramen Noodles: True Tales of Pro Cycling on $10 Dollars a Day
Phil Gaimon has no business being a professional cyclist.
Inexplicably forsaking his former life as a couch potato and gamer, Gaimon begin riding in 2004 with the grand ambition of shedding a few pounds. By sheer accident, he discovered he was a natural, advancing so rapidly through the amateur ranks that he entered the pro peloton utterly ignorant of a century of cycling etiquette.
During the 2013 season, Gaimon was recruited from the minor leagues to join Team Garmin-Sharp, the moneyball-style, ragtag cycling team of anti-doping advocates that races at the topmost levels of elite cycling.
In his story Pro Cycling on $10 a Day, Gaimon wields the full powers of his sardonic wit to present a hand-me-down guide for aspiring bike racers.
Inexplicably forsaking his former life as a couch potato and gamer, Gaimon begin riding in 2004 with the grand ambition of shedding a few pounds. By sheer accident, he discovered he was a natural, advancing so rapidly through the amateur ranks that he entered the pro peloton utterly ignorant of a century of cycling etiquette.
During the 2013 season, Gaimon was recruited from the minor leagues to join Team Garmin-Sharp, the moneyball-style, ragtag cycling team of anti-doping advocates that races at the topmost levels of elite cycling.
In his story Pro Cycling on $10 a Day, Gaimon wields the full powers of his sardonic wit to present a hand-me-down guide for aspiring bike racers.
312 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2014
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832 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
April 20, 2015
It's probably best for me to admit right off the bat that I'm not a cycling enthusiast and certainly not an expert in the sport. However, I have a basic understanding of the sport (know several individuals who race on teams across the state), and thought this would be an interesting read as an outsider. I had heard from those who are into cycling that this would be one I could follow and possibly enjoy, since the author doesn't go into too many technical details, and that did prove to be the case. While I feel like I have a better working understanding of cycling and know a bit more about the doping scandals that have made headlines in the past decade, I didn't find this to be a book I actually enjoyed.
Now, if you're a male who is really into cycling, or just a little bit into cycling, then this may be a book for you. The humor is aimed towards individuals who fit the author's demographic... young males. The humor is crude at times, and there were two specific jokes I found to be tasteless and offensive (rape jokes and racist jokes are never okay), but overall, it just reminded me of banter among young guys. The crude humor is balanced with more meaningful interactions between the author and his friends and teammates, and there are moments where I felt invested in his goals. Honestly, if you cut out a large part of the immature humor and meaningless commentary, then I think the bones of the memoir are quite good. It's a classic story of an underdog working against the odds to become successful. A hard story line to dislike, if you can get past the fart and dick jokes.
I don't want to be a stick in the mud, because the author may be a great guy with a great sense of humor, and some of the issues with his memoir may be that things don't always translate well to paper. It might simply be a case that without a better understanding of him and his career and his lifestyle, I can't grasp what he is trying to say. I do find that while his writing style is easily digestible (it's written in short blurbs like blog entries), it isn't the type of writing I am naturally drawn to, so that could also be a reason why I didn't like it all that much.
I would never not recommend this to others, as I think that those with actual interest in the sport would find some relevance in this. However, I doubt I'll be reading this again, so I am glad I borrowed this from a friend rather than purchased it myself. I don't regret reading it, but it was, as the two stars indicate, just okay.
Now, if you're a male who is really into cycling, or just a little bit into cycling, then this may be a book for you. The humor is aimed towards individuals who fit the author's demographic... young males. The humor is crude at times, and there were two specific jokes I found to be tasteless and offensive (rape jokes and racist jokes are never okay), but overall, it just reminded me of banter among young guys. The crude humor is balanced with more meaningful interactions between the author and his friends and teammates, and there are moments where I felt invested in his goals. Honestly, if you cut out a large part of the immature humor and meaningless commentary, then I think the bones of the memoir are quite good. It's a classic story of an underdog working against the odds to become successful. A hard story line to dislike, if you can get past the fart and dick jokes.
I don't want to be a stick in the mud, because the author may be a great guy with a great sense of humor, and some of the issues with his memoir may be that things don't always translate well to paper. It might simply be a case that without a better understanding of him and his career and his lifestyle, I can't grasp what he is trying to say. I do find that while his writing style is easily digestible (it's written in short blurbs like blog entries), it isn't the type of writing I am naturally drawn to, so that could also be a reason why I didn't like it all that much.
I would never not recommend this to others, as I think that those with actual interest in the sport would find some relevance in this. However, I doubt I'll be reading this again, so I am glad I borrowed this from a friend rather than purchased it myself. I don't regret reading it, but it was, as the two stars indicate, just okay.
April 24, 2014
*** 1/2
Fun read though it probably won't appeal to anyone who isn't already a fan and doesn't already follow the sport. The names, the teams, the strategies and tactics--they all require a base knowledge of bike racing. (Most people would never know why calling Tom Danielson "Christian" is funny. But it is.)
What I was reminded of reading this is that as a group, bike riders are smart. They're well-educated, well-read, and they're interesting people. They also (at least the men) engage in a lot of bathroom humor. I guess that happens when you live in such close quarters, but in a book a little goes a long way.
What surprised me, and I'm not really sure why (willful ignorance?), is how little the lower-level pros earn. $20k is considered reasonable somehow. While that was a fascinating aspect to Gaiman's book, there was far too much of it, including sharing others' salaries. I believe riders need to earn a living wage but that shouldn't be the focus of the book and at times it took over the narrative.
Gaiman points out at one point that in 2012 there were 13 American pro teams and in 2013, there were 5. The sport has taken a lot of beatings and we've lost some great teams (including Gaiman's former Bissell team--they were fun to watch and now I know they were a well-run, solid organization unlike many that have popped up and disappeared over the years.) When the casual observer assumes all bike racers are dopers, I don't know how you rebuild the sport domestically. It is going to take teams like Garmin (and riders like Gaiman) who take anti-doping measures seriously to combat it, and hopefully, rebuild it.
So, who should read this? Racers will read this to read about themselves (literally or figuratively) and those who are considering a pro career should read it. Amateur racers and fans who follow the sport beyond watching the Tour de France will enjoy it. It was interesting to read about races I followed, watched, attended (2009 Tour of Missouri) from the perspective of a racer. Phil Gaiman is someone whose name has long been out there--he's a colorful character and a hard worker, and he's finally made it after years of hard work and a lot of suffering. His story isn't dissimilar to hundreds of other American racers out there, just trying to stay on the bike. Looking forward to Gaiman's next book now that he is part of the Garmin team--and of course to seeing what he does on that team.
Fun read though it probably won't appeal to anyone who isn't already a fan and doesn't already follow the sport. The names, the teams, the strategies and tactics--they all require a base knowledge of bike racing. (Most people would never know why calling Tom Danielson "Christian" is funny. But it is.)
What I was reminded of reading this is that as a group, bike riders are smart. They're well-educated, well-read, and they're interesting people. They also (at least the men) engage in a lot of bathroom humor. I guess that happens when you live in such close quarters, but in a book a little goes a long way.
What surprised me, and I'm not really sure why (willful ignorance?), is how little the lower-level pros earn. $20k is considered reasonable somehow. While that was a fascinating aspect to Gaiman's book, there was far too much of it, including sharing others' salaries. I believe riders need to earn a living wage but that shouldn't be the focus of the book and at times it took over the narrative.
Gaiman points out at one point that in 2012 there were 13 American pro teams and in 2013, there were 5. The sport has taken a lot of beatings and we've lost some great teams (including Gaiman's former Bissell team--they were fun to watch and now I know they were a well-run, solid organization unlike many that have popped up and disappeared over the years.) When the casual observer assumes all bike racers are dopers, I don't know how you rebuild the sport domestically. It is going to take teams like Garmin (and riders like Gaiman) who take anti-doping measures seriously to combat it, and hopefully, rebuild it.
So, who should read this? Racers will read this to read about themselves (literally or figuratively) and those who are considering a pro career should read it. Amateur racers and fans who follow the sport beyond watching the Tour de France will enjoy it. It was interesting to read about races I followed, watched, attended (2009 Tour of Missouri) from the perspective of a racer. Phil Gaiman is someone whose name has long been out there--he's a colorful character and a hard worker, and he's finally made it after years of hard work and a lot of suffering. His story isn't dissimilar to hundreds of other American racers out there, just trying to stay on the bike. Looking forward to Gaiman's next book now that he is part of the Garmin team--and of course to seeing what he does on that team.
March 13, 2019
Not all athletes are champion material, and not all champions are writers, and not all writers are nice people. This autobiography is a hat trick. He is making an attempt to parlay a mediocre pro career into a journalism gig with the viewpoint of self pity, complaints, blame, and if that wasn't charming enough, misogyny.
Far from being an inspirational story about how a chubby kid made themself into something, the author skips right over a brief video-game period right into local heroism before descending into self absorption and misogyny.
The author's career fizzled into obscurity and his 15 minutes are over. However, he reveals his repugnant nature with a passage in which he equates winning a race with another form , I suppose, of victory: rape. Here it is folks, in words directly from the author:
"Guys, we're going to rape this race...And we're not going to use any damn condoms. We're going to rape it, get it pregnant, and then push it down the stairs".
Time's up, Phool.
Far from being an inspirational story about how a chubby kid made themself into something, the author skips right over a brief video-game period right into local heroism before descending into self absorption and misogyny.
The author's career fizzled into obscurity and his 15 minutes are over. However, he reveals his repugnant nature with a passage in which he equates winning a race with another form , I suppose, of victory: rape. Here it is folks, in words directly from the author:
"Guys, we're going to rape this race...And we're not going to use any damn condoms. We're going to rape it, get it pregnant, and then push it down the stairs".
Time's up, Phool.
January 23, 2023
Another entertaining book on pro cycling. A bit crude at times, but I guess the book reflects the cycling life.
August 24, 2017
Very much enjoyed this all the way through, and read it extremely quickly as a result (and also because it was very simply written and an extremely easy read). It was really funny and interesting and also pretty informative in terms of what it's like to be a domestic pro cyclist. A nice change of pace from the philosophy anthology I've been grinding through recently.
August 2, 2014
I didn’t read Phil Gaimon’s Pro Cycling on $10 a Day as part of some grand scheme to turn professional. On the contrary, I gave up on that dream years ago. Nonetheless, the book contains plenty of good advice and stories from within the pro peloton enjoyable for the cycling fan as well the aspiring pro.
To be clear this is not strictly a how-to book, as the title may imply. Rather it’s a story of one bike racer who rose up quickly through the ranks of the domestic racing scene and the struggles, both financial and physical, he faced before finally landing a spot on a Pro Tour team. The advice one might expect to read is dispensed in short doses, cleverly encapsulated in section headings where Gaimon summarizes the “take-away” without directly interfering with the chronological narrative of the story.
The author is most revealing in his discussion of the inner dynamics of racing teams. It's ironic that the management of professional cycling teams can be in fact so unprofessional. It is no wonder some of these teams languor in the lower ranks. In the end, a cycling team is a business like any other. Teams with management who have proper training or experience to hold those roles will succeed.
Gaimon also puts to paper what are probably the frustrations of many new up and coming pro cyclists. He explains why riders of his generation are bitter toward the dopers of the past: they have driven away sponsors, talented people and make the neo-pros bare the brunt of the last generation’s mistakes.
To be clear this is not strictly a how-to book, as the title may imply. Rather it’s a story of one bike racer who rose up quickly through the ranks of the domestic racing scene and the struggles, both financial and physical, he faced before finally landing a spot on a Pro Tour team. The advice one might expect to read is dispensed in short doses, cleverly encapsulated in section headings where Gaimon summarizes the “take-away” without directly interfering with the chronological narrative of the story.
The author is most revealing in his discussion of the inner dynamics of racing teams. It's ironic that the management of professional cycling teams can be in fact so unprofessional. It is no wonder some of these teams languor in the lower ranks. In the end, a cycling team is a business like any other. Teams with management who have proper training or experience to hold those roles will succeed.
Gaimon also puts to paper what are probably the frustrations of many new up and coming pro cyclists. He explains why riders of his generation are bitter toward the dopers of the past: they have driven away sponsors, talented people and make the neo-pros bare the brunt of the last generation’s mistakes.
July 9, 2024
A brutally honest snapshot into the world of professional cycling in America.
Cycling in America has always been kind of weird if you look at its peaks and valleys. In the early 1900s it was huge, especially in track cycling, but then fell off for a long time only to be truly brought back to life by Lance Armstrong. Only for that brief time in the sun to quickly crumble again after the doping scandals of the late 2000s and early 2010s.
As someone who follows the sport closely and had big aspirations as a young teen racing myself, I think Phil perfectly encapsulates all the reasons why it’s incredibly hard even in such a niche sport to have success coming out of the US. The calendar has dried up, the money is gone, and teams are few and far between. He even says that in the mid 2000s (pre-doping scandals) there were 12 US pro teams and then in the 2010s only 5 remained. Now there are only 2 non-U23 pro teams left.
This definitely isn’t for everyone as most non-cyclists or cycling fans will appreciate as much but this is a very good read to truly understand why the sport is so difficult to see success in.
Cycling in America has always been kind of weird if you look at its peaks and valleys. In the early 1900s it was huge, especially in track cycling, but then fell off for a long time only to be truly brought back to life by Lance Armstrong. Only for that brief time in the sun to quickly crumble again after the doping scandals of the late 2000s and early 2010s.
As someone who follows the sport closely and had big aspirations as a young teen racing myself, I think Phil perfectly encapsulates all the reasons why it’s incredibly hard even in such a niche sport to have success coming out of the US. The calendar has dried up, the money is gone, and teams are few and far between. He even says that in the mid 2000s (pre-doping scandals) there were 12 US pro teams and then in the 2010s only 5 remained. Now there are only 2 non-U23 pro teams left.
This definitely isn’t for everyone as most non-cyclists or cycling fans will appreciate as much but this is a very good read to truly understand why the sport is so difficult to see success in.
May 25, 2020
My husband found Phil’s YouTube series a few months ago and we immediately loved his witty and honest personality. This book chronicles his first several years as an amateur then a pro, and explains in detail how this unique sport/business works. If you’re not interested in cycling as a sport, you won’t enjoy this, but either way, check out his IG. He supports No Kid Hungry. And he’ll rate your chocolate chip cookies. He’s a tough critic!
May 9, 2018
From Fat Kid to Euro Pro!!!!! I️ love bikes!!!
Til next time Phil
Til next time Phil
July 3, 2022
Funny and keeps being interesting even though my pace is only about 10 mph on my bike. It has a useful glossary in the back for bike race terminology. Wish I’d have known that at the beginning of the book…..
February 7, 2015
It was hard to get into this memoir. At one point the author tells the story of a backlash to one of his blog post. People were mocking his self-appointed nickname "Phil the Thrill" by referring to him as "Phil the Douche". At several points in the book, the same thought crossed my mind. He gleefully recounts acts like willfully driving like an asshole, then covering up the phone number on the side of the van he borrowed so people would stop reporting it. In another wince inducing tale, he brags of killing a woodpecker because it had the audacity to disturb his sleep. Douche indeed.
In addition to being rather unlikable, the writing was pretty piss-poor in both structure and language.
I'm pretty jazzed about anything involving cycling these days, but all in all, this book was a waste of time.
In addition to being rather unlikable, the writing was pretty piss-poor in both structure and language.
I'm pretty jazzed about anything involving cycling these days, but all in all, this book was a waste of time.
October 22, 2014
I've been reading Phil Gaimon's "Ask a Pro" mostly silly column in Velo (VeloNews) for a couple years and enjoy his take on the world. This is the story of his life from discovering the bike in high school through his struggles to get a pro contract. It ends at the end of 2013 with his signing to Garmin - the promised land of European cycling.
For some silly fun, check his website where he blogs and has a "days since last accident" counter. http://www.philthethrill.net/
For some silly fun, check his website where he blogs and has a "days since last accident" counter. http://www.philthethrill.net/
June 25, 2014
A great inside look into what it takes to be a pro cyclist. Very funny, though sometimes Phil's humor and language can be pretty crude. I suppose that should be expected from a single guy his age. Good lessons on hard work and perseverance. Well written.
January 28, 2015
I got a little tired of his ego-centric talk as well as his sophomoric humor. Parts were interesting and I appreciate his commitment to race clean. Eventually, however, I found myself looking forward to the end of the book.
April 25, 2014
A look behind the scenes at the life of a pro racer (hint: it's not all roses and podium finishes). Funny and insightful, Gaimon has a knack for storytelling that will keep you reading.
March 20, 2018
He's kind of a dick. And a rape joke, really?
September 20, 2017
If you're interested in pro cycling, you'll probably get a lot more out of this book than a non-fan. I am a recreational cyclist at best and some of the race strategy terms went over my head. The pace of the book is one of its strengths and one of its weaknesses. The detailed descriptions of how a particular stage played out in 2012 can be tedious, but they're over within a couple of pages. The quick pace also makes some of the behind the scenes tidbits go a little too fast and leaves you wanting more information.
The tone of this book sometimes caught me off-guard. The joy the author feels when finally making a bigger pro team is almost immediately undercut when his teammates go out of their way to exclude or ridicule him for not knowing how things are done at the pro level. He doesn't pull any punches and is very open about how he feels about many of the people he encountered on his way to the Euro circuit.
The author is also very opinionated about doping in cycling and is not afraid to call out those who have been caught, suspended, or even suspected of cheating. It's refreshing to read someone take those people to task after all of the secrecy, backstabbing, and stripping of titles that damaged cycling for such a long time.
Lots of talk about testicles in this book: wanting to punch Lance Armstrong in his; taking and receiving pictures of sun-exposed testicles; team photos with everyone's exposed. Cycling teams are made up mostly of young men who compete with and against one another on shoestring budgets (or on no budgets at all). In that frat-house setting, it's no surprise that testicles and toilet habits are a big topic of conversation. They are limited in this book (at least compared to how often I imagine they come up), but they are there if you're at all concerned about that sort of thing.
The tone of this book sometimes caught me off-guard. The joy the author feels when finally making a bigger pro team is almost immediately undercut when his teammates go out of their way to exclude or ridicule him for not knowing how things are done at the pro level. He doesn't pull any punches and is very open about how he feels about many of the people he encountered on his way to the Euro circuit.
The author is also very opinionated about doping in cycling and is not afraid to call out those who have been caught, suspended, or even suspected of cheating. It's refreshing to read someone take those people to task after all of the secrecy, backstabbing, and stripping of titles that damaged cycling for such a long time.
Lots of talk about testicles in this book: wanting to punch Lance Armstrong in his; taking and receiving pictures of sun-exposed testicles; team photos with everyone's exposed. Cycling teams are made up mostly of young men who compete with and against one another on shoestring budgets (or on no budgets at all). In that frat-house setting, it's no surprise that testicles and toilet habits are a big topic of conversation. They are limited in this book (at least compared to how often I imagine they come up), but they are there if you're at all concerned about that sort of thing.
June 29, 2021
Pretty interesting memoir, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you are already into cycling and understand the sport somewhat. The writing was okay, but not great. It was interesting to read Phil's journey and the inner workings of pro cycling teams.
It can get repetitive and dry at some parts, but overall it's worth a read if you want to know more about becoming a pro cyclist. Phil can be a funny guy and seems like a good person, but there are some problematic passages. There is a bit of misogyny, which is rather cringe. He also readily admits to having come from privilege (although his journey to pro cycling was anything but that) and that comes across in some of his view points.
I also don't really get why he's so bitter with Francisco Mancebo. Yes, the guy doped and Phil is a big proponent of racing clean. However, as Phil admits, it's kind of hypocritical since so many of his friends were also former dopers. At first he makes a good case for his rivalry, but towards the end that whole beef just comes across a tiny bit petty.
Having said all that, it's still a good book to read. Phil definitely has put in crazy amounts of work and has a love for life on two skinny tires. It is evident he could've had a very easy life thanks to his wealthy and educated parents, but instead chose ramen and road rash, living a life of poverty for the love of the sport. I also think his advocacy for clean racing is important for the sport and I appreciate how much attention he's brought via his YouTube show and other books. Overall, the book has more positives than negatives and I would recommend giving it a read.
It can get repetitive and dry at some parts, but overall it's worth a read if you want to know more about becoming a pro cyclist. Phil can be a funny guy and seems like a good person, but there are some problematic passages. There is a bit of misogyny, which is rather cringe. He also readily admits to having come from privilege (although his journey to pro cycling was anything but that) and that comes across in some of his view points.
I also don't really get why he's so bitter with Francisco Mancebo. Yes, the guy doped and Phil is a big proponent of racing clean. However, as Phil admits, it's kind of hypocritical since so many of his friends were also former dopers. At first he makes a good case for his rivalry, but towards the end that whole beef just comes across a tiny bit petty.
Having said all that, it's still a good book to read. Phil definitely has put in crazy amounts of work and has a love for life on two skinny tires. It is evident he could've had a very easy life thanks to his wealthy and educated parents, but instead chose ramen and road rash, living a life of poverty for the love of the sport. I also think his advocacy for clean racing is important for the sport and I appreciate how much attention he's brought via his YouTube show and other books. Overall, the book has more positives than negatives and I would recommend giving it a read.
February 17, 2022
When a story captures experiences similar to my own life experiences (or aspirations, for that matter), it usually hooks me. Though we may have been separated by thirty years and several levels of success, I could see myself in many of Phil Gaimon's tales and struggles. For dozens of reasons, bicycle racing is a strangely fascinating sport, often filled with contradiction. It is difficult, yet exhilarating. Cycling improves one's cardiovascular health, but has a history of violent (even deadly) crashes. Serious cyclists can be the most amazing of people or the world's biggest asses. It can be the ideal way to see the world around us, that is if our eyes are not glued to the front wheel as we struggle through a painfully grueling ride.
Gaimon captures the essence of the joy, pain and contradiction that cycling can be. He tells a good story and tells it with humor. At times, he does indeed cross the lines of good taste, the rape reference being a particularly unsettling instance. But it also speaks to the attitudes one sometimes encounters in cycle racing in particular and life in general. It may be sad that is the case, but it is part of the story whether we like it or not.
That he tried to be part of the reformed and enlightened anti-doping movement following the Lance Armstrong pandemic of cheating and winning at all costs is admirable. That story, unto itself, is an interesting one. When it is combined with the tales of incomprehensible physical challenges, mental pressures, overwhelming financial roadblocks, and the impact on any sort of social life, the story can be compelling. It may not win the Pulitzer Prize, but it's a good account of an interesting sport.
Gaimon captures the essence of the joy, pain and contradiction that cycling can be. He tells a good story and tells it with humor. At times, he does indeed cross the lines of good taste, the rape reference being a particularly unsettling instance. But it also speaks to the attitudes one sometimes encounters in cycle racing in particular and life in general. It may be sad that is the case, but it is part of the story whether we like it or not.
That he tried to be part of the reformed and enlightened anti-doping movement following the Lance Armstrong pandemic of cheating and winning at all costs is admirable. That story, unto itself, is an interesting one. When it is combined with the tales of incomprehensible physical challenges, mental pressures, overwhelming financial roadblocks, and the impact on any sort of social life, the story can be compelling. It may not win the Pulitzer Prize, but it's a good account of an interesting sport.
September 15, 2025
2.5/5
Disclaimer: I’m not a cyclist, but my current partner and many of my friends are. I was loaned this book by someone who is personal friends with Phil. I myself have watched a few of his videos and found them enjoyable, and of course I enjoy watching Tour de France/TdF Femmes, and other pro races.
Like another reviewer mentions, I get I’m not his “demo”… that being said, while this book did have some insights, glimmers of inspiration, and moments that made me laugh out loud, it was frankly overshadowed by his 2010s-coded boys’ locker room humor and at times racial, ignorant cracks that to me were not funny (and probably weren’t in 2014 either).
Overall, the first 6 chapters of the book before 7. Get Serious read as a young man struggling with self-esteem issues complaining about being treated badly and suffering in a career he chose. By the last two chapters and Epilogue, however, I do find myself rooting for this guy in spite of his arrogance and closed-mindedness.
No, this book wasn’t for me, and I don’t recommend it unless you’re interested in the inner workings of pro-cycling in the early 2010s. Even then, expect a preemptive memoir (at the end of this book, the author has done little more than podium at a paltry number of US races, and only JUST signed to Garmin), littered with tasteless jokes (from the perspective of 27 yr white man from the South U.S), with a side dish of elite cycling world excitement… because that’s what it is.
Disclaimer: I’m not a cyclist, but my current partner and many of my friends are. I was loaned this book by someone who is personal friends with Phil. I myself have watched a few of his videos and found them enjoyable, and of course I enjoy watching Tour de France/TdF Femmes, and other pro races.
Like another reviewer mentions, I get I’m not his “demo”… that being said, while this book did have some insights, glimmers of inspiration, and moments that made me laugh out loud, it was frankly overshadowed by his 2010s-coded boys’ locker room humor and at times racial, ignorant cracks that to me were not funny (and probably weren’t in 2014 either).
Overall, the first 6 chapters of the book before 7. Get Serious read as a young man struggling with self-esteem issues complaining about being treated badly and suffering in a career he chose. By the last two chapters and Epilogue, however, I do find myself rooting for this guy in spite of his arrogance and closed-mindedness.
No, this book wasn’t for me, and I don’t recommend it unless you’re interested in the inner workings of pro-cycling in the early 2010s. Even then, expect a preemptive memoir (at the end of this book, the author has done little more than podium at a paltry number of US races, and only JUST signed to Garmin), littered with tasteless jokes (from the perspective of 27 yr white man from the South U.S), with a side dish of elite cycling world excitement… because that’s what it is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2018
I decided to give this a book after enjoying Phil's fantastic Worst Retirement Ever YouTube channel.
The book highlights Phil's experience signing with U.S. cycling clubs and the many challenges due to the doping scandals. I was shocked at how poorly a professional could be treated (salary and poor club support), but I really admire Phil's drive and hard work effort.
Even with a miserably low salary, he was able to really put his heart into cycling and I found his learning process fascinating. He provided highlights of riding in competitions and the curious interactions, which I never thought about such as the mechanics of a breakaway and how an early rider could get bullied into pulling, only to be left in the dust when he expects someone to take over. The small chatter between riders was an interesting insight as I didn't think of riders yelling at each other.
Additionally, the book goes deep into Phil's transition going from amateur workout routine to hardcore and the massive improvements he saw.
Phil sneaks in plenty of hilarious stories and made me laugh aloud on multiple occasions.
I'm excited to read his other books and just purchased "Ask a Pro: Everything You Should Be Scared to Know about Pro Cycling"
The book highlights Phil's experience signing with U.S. cycling clubs and the many challenges due to the doping scandals. I was shocked at how poorly a professional could be treated (salary and poor club support), but I really admire Phil's drive and hard work effort.
Even with a miserably low salary, he was able to really put his heart into cycling and I found his learning process fascinating. He provided highlights of riding in competitions and the curious interactions, which I never thought about such as the mechanics of a breakaway and how an early rider could get bullied into pulling, only to be left in the dust when he expects someone to take over. The small chatter between riders was an interesting insight as I didn't think of riders yelling at each other.
Additionally, the book goes deep into Phil's transition going from amateur workout routine to hardcore and the massive improvements he saw.
Phil sneaks in plenty of hilarious stories and made me laugh aloud on multiple occasions.
I'm excited to read his other books and just purchased "Ask a Pro: Everything You Should Be Scared to Know about Pro Cycling"
October 29, 2023
Gaimon is occasionally, perhaps often, funny, and occasionally disgusting and probably offensive to some. I suspect the reality of pro cycling is in fact disgusting and offensive to some. With that said, I definitely cringed regularly listening to the audiobook. Gaimon comes across as quite the complained - shades of Eeyore. I can't really blame him. Professional cycling when you're on the edge of "good enough" sounds rough indeed.
Gaimon goes on at length about how he is not a doper. He talked about how he got a bar of soap "clean" tattoo, as if that proves he is in fact clean. I don't know if he's clean. I hope so. But I've read too many books written by cyclists who went on about how they didn't use drugs and later tested positive to take Gaimon's word at face value. If he is in fact clean, I can only imagine how infuriating it must have been for him to see dopers raking in the money while he lived on half nothing. That would make me bitter as well.
Gaimon goes on at length about how he is not a doper. He talked about how he got a bar of soap "clean" tattoo, as if that proves he is in fact clean. I don't know if he's clean. I hope so. But I've read too many books written by cyclists who went on about how they didn't use drugs and later tested positive to take Gaimon's word at face value. If he is in fact clean, I can only imagine how infuriating it must have been for him to see dopers raking in the money while he lived on half nothing. That would make me bitter as well.
November 15, 2017
Pro Cycling on $10 a day covers Gaimon’s progression from fat guy on a couch to pro cyclist. The writing style is humorous and often sarcastic, which makes it an extremely enjoyable read. If you’re like me and love cycling as a sport, whether you are a weekend group rider or have dabbled in the amateur racing scene, you will like this book, and may even learn something useful. I particularly enjoyed his descriptions of team tactics and how a skinny guy should race a crit!
This book is a breath of fresh air for a sport that has struggled with its image over the past 10 years, written by a guy who found the sport late and made it to the pro ranks by hard work and sacrifice. Having met and ridden with Gaimon at some local events in the LA area, I have to say this guy is the real deal and a great ambassador for the sport.
This book is a breath of fresh air for a sport that has struggled with its image over the past 10 years, written by a guy who found the sport late and made it to the pro ranks by hard work and sacrifice. Having met and ridden with Gaimon at some local events in the LA area, I have to say this guy is the real deal and a great ambassador for the sport.
October 5, 2019
A finalist for my favorite book of 2019, this is a spectacular ride from start to finish. (Yes, pun intended.) After spending an exorbitant amount of time reading cycling books about or by total sociopaths, this was a refreshing break about an amiable common man on his journey to make it riding clean in cycling. The finest behind the scenes look of the life of a professional cyclist and the sacrifices involved in grinding out a living to pursue a dream, Gaimon's humor shines from one anecdote to another. Had I know it would be this good I would have bought the book. Instead I spent three Friday nights at Barnes and Noble reading this and sipping Pumpkin Lattes. They were good Friday nights. Pro Cycling on $10 a Day....Five Stars.
January 19, 2025
If you strip away the really nasty misogyny or racism this is actually a pretty decent memoir. I enjoyed hearing about the scrappy resourcefulness needed to make it in pro cycling (and this was in an age when cycling was still somewhat supported in the US). It's always interesting to hear an inside perspective of the pro peloton and when Phil was sharing those stories it was an enjoyable tale. Reading other reviews it seems he's at least wisened up to the fact that rape jokes are unacceptable as he merely alludes to them in the edition I read. I'd like to extend some grace and hope that a boy who was sheltered in the tiny circles of pro racing for his formative years has since evolved and changed in the more than a decade since this was written but who knows...
June 16, 2020
I quite liked this book and I think others would too, even if they're not into cycling. I enjoyed following his journey of hard work and disagreements to become pro. Well written since he received his degree in English. I rolled my eyes at the "guy" language and humor, but then he throws in gems like "A big goal like starting a business or writing a book can be daunting at first, but all you have to do is break it up into little pieces and keep working at it. You could eat a school bus if you ground it up and sprinkled some on your oatmeal every morning. " Or, "You have to judge morality by someone's entire body of work, and one mistake shouldn't condemn an otherwise moral life. "
November 7, 2018
Very enjoyable! I've owned my copy for some time but kept delaying reading it. I don't know why. It is very funny and entertaining. As a cyclist myself, I know many of the roads he road on and the races he participated in. The writing is excellent throughout. Above and beyond the standard sport biography/memoir which usually has someone else "ghost" writing. I didn't want to put the book down and now will get the second book in his professional cycling saga. And, I will make more of an effort to follow his "worst retirement ever" and eat more cookies.
September 29, 2019
I love cycling. I am not a racer but find the sport fascinating and spend most of my free time on a bike. I found it interesting the path Phil had to take to get to where he is. I think Phil is a hard worker and definitely deserves success. With that being said, I had a hard time with the subtle sexism and homophobia scattered throughout the book. Some of the comments he made had me wondering - if he felt comfortable enough to write this down and publish it, what does he say in real life? I lost quite a bit of respect for him after reading this book.
February 7, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I've admired Gaimon for a while and enjoyed reading tales of how he got started and his struggles along the way. His biting humor is evident in almost every story but there are also honest lessons that he's learned about life, dealing with people, and how to handle the curveballs thrown at you. I'd recommend it for anyone interested in cycling and looking for a humorous, honest take on the sport.
November 15, 2017
I did not find this book very interesting. As someone who has trained for thousands of miles, and ridden several centuries, I would say that the author provided very little insight into how to train to be an elite-level rider, or what the experience is like in racing at that level. Because of that, I found this book to be quite disappointing, and therefore would not recommend it to anyone who's interested in cycling.
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