Bobke II

by Bob Roll, Dan Koeppel (Foreword)

Bob Roll is a former Tour de France racer, well-known scribe, and race announcer, and he's back to cause a ruckus! Bobke II (correctly pronounced "BOOB-kuh") revisits all of the original journals of Roll's wild rides and crazy tales about cycling's uncensored side. When Bobke retired from competition, his pen continued the crazed poetic commentary, and Roll's newest additions cover both topics held reverent in cycling and also those that are hardly related to the sport. Bobke tips his cap to the classic riders and races, takes us on a grueling week of training with Lance Armstrong, tells the sport as he sees it, and entertains us with plenty of ditties and rants in between. It's a zany, often absurd, yet compelling commotion.

Genres: Cycling, Sports, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 10, 2003

Reviews

[Zachary Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would recommend this to any cycling fan, and would recommend even more that you read it after either or both of Joe Parkin's books. Whereas Parkin is bitter and cynical about his career, Roll revels in his ability to make the best of even the worst situations.

I would give this five stars but for the Lance worship contained within - I get that he wrote this long before the whole blowup of 2014, but it's just too weird to read anything good about him at this point (yes, I'm one of the people who had a hard time listening to the Stages podcast).

[Douglas Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

You might wonder what qualified gap-toothed Bob Roll to be Versus’ perpetual color man for the Tour de France. Well, Chumley, it’s because he used to kick ass at racing. These are some of his journal entries about the TdF, the Giro d'Italia, the brutal Paris–Roubaix, plus others. These aren’t dreary recitations of statistics, speeds, and crashes because Roll is the Lyle Lovett of cycling, equal parts professional, Texas madman, and poet. Entries are generally about races and rides, but not always. They range all over Europe and America and cover road cycling and mountain biking. Presented in random order, the essays can seem a little scattered, and I for one would love to know more insider scoop on how the peloton actually works, but overall these are great insights from a fun, irascible dude. Doubtless, Bobke has many more, unprintable, anecdotes up his sleeve. BII follows his now out-of-print-but-worth-the-hunt Bobke: A Ride on the Wild Side of Cycling (Velo, 1998). For a similarly interesting read that combines road and mountain bike racing, try Joe Parkin’s Come and Gone: A True Story of Blue-Collar Bike Racing in America (VeloPress, 2010).

You might wonder what qualified gap-toothed Bob Roll to be Versus’ perpetual color man for the Tour de France. Well, Chumley, it’s because he used to kick ass at racing. These are some of his journal entries about the TdF, the Giro d'Italia, the brutal Paris–Roubaix, plus others. These aren’t dreary recitations of statistics, speeds, and crashes because Roll is the Lyle Lovett of cycling, equal parts professional, Texas madman, and poet. Entries are generally about races and rides, but not always. They range all over Europe and America and cover road cycling and mountain biking. Presented in random order, the essays can seem a little scattered, and I for one would love to know more insider scoop on how the peloton actually works, but overall these are great insights from a fun, irascible dude. Doubtless, Bobke has many more, unprintable, anecdotes up his sleeve. BII follows his now out-of-print-but-worth-the-hunt Bobke: A Ride on the Wild Side of Cycling (Velo, 1998). For a similarly interesting read that combines road and mountain bike racing, try Joe Parkin’s Come and Gone: A True Story of Blue-Collar Bike Racing in America (VeloPress, 2010).

Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.

[Jack B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is funnier than hell, if...if you are an old bike racer or know one, or you love the Tour de France, or if you don`t mind crude adolescent humor. But really, no one else writes like Bob Roll. A truly unique individual and literary talent. And I saw him beat Davis Phinney, Greg Lemond, and Bernard Hinault to win the 1985 Vail stage of the Coors International Bike Classic (at that time one of the most prestigious bike racing events outside of W. Europe). There are some great stories in here such as the one about him looking for his lost watch on a lonely pass in Colorado and about him riding an airplane to Chicago with "Richard M. Nixon sitting up in first-class sipping Shirley Temples." Pure gold, but maybe not for everyone.

[Amy Kauderer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little choppy here and there. I enjoyed reading it, but it took me quite awhile to finish. It did make me laugh. I don't know that I have a clearer idea of what happens when you ride professionally. If you like Bobke then you will find the book worth the time.

[Chris Rando · Rating 2 out of 5]

My 11th foray into cycling in print this year, and it's just awful. The second Bobke (God, literally nobody calls him this and that's just the start of problems with his accounts) tome has this going for it: it's not as slapdash and worthless as the first. It's more complete. Though you don't have to look hard to see these were less pulled-from-the-diary-of and more cobbled-together-fuzzy-memories of the 80s and 90s.

If anything's refreshing it's that Bob doesn't affect some intellectual tone (he ain't and doesn't want to be) but the man who consistently refers to cyclists as "bikers," who has zero problem with dropping racist jokes and other terribly dated views from decades past, well, his tone is a one trick pony. 'X' happened. Whoa. Could 'X' be happening? Insert trite comment about farting, fictionalized fistfight, some allusion that seemed dumb in the 80s and just stupid boomer now. Bob's "dipped" or "stoked." Bob mentions cowboy boots or classic rock or again how tough he is. Then wraps it up with more hackneyed cuteness.

I don't doubt the man is tough. You can sense he had natural talent and loads of drive and charisma. Bob Roll had/has heart and personality and this book is a little recollection of the pioneering American bringing back stories from the Euro sport scene, and giving a little glimpse of the mountain bike scene that would eclipse everything for a decade. It's lacking though. He doesn't have much to say about his journey other than "boy, it was hard."
If he'd spent his life writing and traveling he'd be Hunter Thompson, but, reader: if you're looking for the gonzo cyclist writer, look elsewhere 'cause this ain't it.

[Rauno Villberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've no actual familiarity with Bob Roll (never heard his commentary and he was a pro before my time) but I still found a lot of these stories enjoyable; if a bit too surface-level and repetitive. But hey, cycling is a very repetitive sport, to be fair.
His "California surfer dude" vibe was a biiiiit too much at times; but mostly I found it charming.

[Amy Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite bike racers of all time-fun to see his journals and hear his crazy stories from a long career-including racing the norba series in TC back in the day! Well worth the read if you’ve followed his career and bike racing.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

In true Bobke style, you'll be taken thru the life of a pro cyclist on a day to day basis.

[Jeff Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

We should all attack life with Bobke's work ethic & joy!!

[Tadek · Rating 4 out of 5]

wish my dad

[Ron Anderson]

Every cyclist needs to read Bob Roll's book. Learn from a master to ride, live life, learn and laugh your ass off while doing it.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 Bob Roll is weird.

[Paige Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the more entertaining books i’ve read in my life. cycling enthusiast or not, i highly recommend reading this just for pure laughs

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very interesting read, i really enjoyed part 2.

[Lona · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter gave me Bobke II years ago, and somehow it got "lost" in the family bookshelves and I didn't read it. The pandemic had me looking for things to read, and I rediscovered Bobke II.

With all the ugly and sad things dominating the need cycle, I was searching for a distracting read, and Bobke II fit the bill. Bob Roll is quite a character and he does have a flamboyant way with words. You probably wouldn't pick up his book unless you knew something about road and mountain bike racing. And, even then, I found myself relying heavily on context clues at some points. My favorite nugget was near the end when Roll referenced Phil Liggett.

[Vallarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is in Bob Roll-ease which alternates between funny and annoying. I don't know that someone who isn't really into cycling would find the book to be interesting. It's formatted as though you're reading excerpts directly from Roll's journal kept during his time as a pro cyclist. I don't know if they really are snippets directly from his journal, but it's a fast and loose narration to be sure. They even include a dictionary so you can figure out what or who he is referring to with all of his nicknames and insider terms. Like I said, sometimes that makes for a fun read, and sometimes it's a little annoying.

[SplkdancerReviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is primarily a large set of diary entries that summaries various days around Bob's races while he was a pro. There is no narrative beyond the journal entries, so you either have to know the broader story or just go along with the ride... Which, if you like reading diary entries, makes for a fascinating view into the mind and experiences of many people's favorite cycling announcer, but is not for you if you are looking for a narrative story of his cycling career.
Consider yourself warned.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining collection of short stories and vinettes by Bob Roll about his life as a professional road cyclist and mountain biker. Some of the stories are hillarious while others are not as funny. You get a good look at the trials and tribulations inside the pro pelleton.

[Ronald Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cycling read!

Great cycling read!

Great read and look into the life of cyclist. Roll has a great way with words and funny, too. Written by a great contributor to the sport of cycling.

[Jason Johannpeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob Roll is as entertaining and eccentric as you would expect. A good read for sure.

Definitely worth it! Bob's candor and descriptions give a very real sense of his experiences and the culture of bike racing.

[Brian]

BOBKE

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love listening to Bob Roll's commentary during the Tour de France, this book is even more Bob. Stories from someone on the inside who was also, more than likely, the life of the party.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

My Tour Book for 2009.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent, reading this diary style book makes you feel like you're really there with bobke the whole way

[Kelly Pulley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob is hysterically funny as usual!

[Increase Mather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous read. You'll learn more about the background of the peloton than you'll ever know on your own. Rough language though, take care.

[Phil · Rating 2 out of 5]

This man needs an editor. That is all.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bob Roll is always a fun read. His stories are filled with great humor, passion, experience and knowledge.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I talked about this book in some detail on my blog at:
http://wheelbike.blogspot.com/2011/08...

[Steve Grobben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious excerpts from former professional Bob Roll.