Reading the Race: Bike Racing from Inside the Peloton

by Jamie O. Smith, Chris Horner (Contributor)

In Reading the Race, race announcer Jamie Smith and veteran road captain Chris Horner team up to deliver a master class in bike racing strategies and tactics. Armed with strategies and tactics learned over thousands of races, cyclists and cycling fans will learn how to read a race--and see how to win it. Bike racing is called a rolling chess game for a reason. Sure, a high pain threshold and a killer VO2max are helpful. But if you're in it to win it, you need race smarts. Starting breaks, forming alliances, managing a lapped field, setting up a sprint--on every page, Horner and Smith reveal new secrets to faster racing and better results. Smith and Horner dissect common mistakes, guiding riders with lessons learned from decades of racing experience. Reading the Race reveals the veteran's eye view Assembling the best possible team Crafting strategies around the team, course, and rivals Reacting instantly to common scenarios Making deals and combines Breaks, echelons, blocking Pack protocol and etiquette Finishing in the prize money or on the podium Winning the group ride Whether you're a new racer, an aspiring pro, a team manager, or even a roadside fan, Reading the Race will elevate your cycling IQ for better racing.

Genres: Cycling, Nonfiction, Sports

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2013

About the author

Jamie Smith began writing while serving in the USAF guarding B-52s at a remote northern base. He wrote to alleviate the boredom then immediately burned the pages in order to stay warm.
He spent 25 years writing boring press releases for a sleepy Detroit suburb. The fact that they were sleepy had nothing to do with the press releases Smith wrote.
He also spent 25 years as a bike race announcer working at cycling events in 46 different states. His first work, Roadie - The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer (VeloPress), was named a 2009 Michigan Notable Book by the Library of Michigan. His second effort, Reading the Race, includes sidebar commentary by 2013 Vuelta a Espana winner and 2012 Olympian, Chris Horner.
Smith lives and surfs in the Great Lakes area.

Reviews

[Doctor Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an informative, well-illustrated, easy to read book on the fundamental skills, tactics, and etiquette of bike racing.

The primary author, Jamie Smith, is an experienced amateur racer and race announcer. The book reflects Smith’s experience in American amateur racing, with its focus on criterium racing.

Smith starts with the fundamental skills — cycling in a paceline, an echelon, or a pack, finding the draft behind and to the side of other riders, cornering, attacking, and contributing to a team. He also covers tactics — when to attack, how to read the intentions and capabilities of other riders, etc. Equally important are tips on what not to do — actions that will anger your opponents or destroy team structure and frustrate team goals. Indispensable stuff.

Chris Horner’s contributions are really separate from the body of the book, set off as inserts or sidebars into the text. Primarily what Horner adds are stories that serve as illustrations of the points being made by Smith. Personally, I would have liked to hear more of Horner’s perspective and guidance, integrated into the structure and main text of the book itself.

If you are a new or relatively inexperienced racer, this could be an especially valuable guide to what you need to do to become a true racing cyclist, and if you are an experienced rider, this will fill the gaps for you and provide some insights you probably haven't gained on your own. If you are like me, your racing days behind you, it’s an enjoyable read, with the self-effacing tone that so many cyclist-writers seem to favor (e.g., racers like Phil Gaimon and cycling culture writers like BSNY/Eben Weiss).

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Achieved its intended goal. While my racing is at amateur individual level, I was able to glean good info that should help me with what’s going on during a race. Chris Horner’s insight were entertaining.

[Sonya Manson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definite read for someone who wants to get into bike racing. Interesting and something I will keep in my library.

[Craig Wilkie]

cracking coverage of bike handling and technique as well as the racing bits. Obligatory reading for any roadie seeking to improve their craft

[Bob Kuehn · Rating 3 out of 5]

For someone new to competitive cycling this is most likely a good read. Jamie Smith writes well and had a first hand knowledge of the tactics of bike racing. However if Chris Horner's name were not associated with it I doubt I would have read the book. It appears that the pearls of wisdom from Horner were almost an after thought. For experienced cyclists there is little new information here.

[derek allard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining writer (funny) and has excellent advice on the how to's of bike racing.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone that races bikes, particularly on a team. Smith incorporates humor, a laid back style, and racing stories to keep you hooked. It's definitely worth a second read.

[Lois Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a beginner race, I can definitely say this book made me a better cyclist. Thanks Jamie!

[Marco Pavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly it gave me a lot of perspective and knowledge on how to use echelons effectively :-)