The Climb: The Autobiography

by Chris Froome

The Climb by Chris Froome - the inspirational memoir from the British winner of the 100th edition of the Tour de France The Climb tells the extraordinary story of Chris Froome's journey from a young boy in Kenya, riding through townships and past wild animals, and with few opportunities for an aspiring cyclist, to his unforgettable yellow jersey victory in the 2013 Tour de France. A journey unlike any other in the history of cycling, Froome has crossed continents, overcome the death of his mother and conquered debilitating illness to follow his dreams and represent Team GB and Team Sky. He has experienced soaring triumphs, humbling defeats, a public rivalry with Bradley Wiggins and, most recently, the pressures of Lance Armstrong's legacy. Extraordinary, revealing and life-affirming, The Climb is a story of determination, hardship and unimaginable success. Chris Froome was born in Nairobi in 1985 to British parents. He was educated and raised in South Africa and now races for Team GB and Team Sky. In 2011 he finished second overall in the Vuelta a España. In 2012 he finished runner-up to Bradley Wiggins in the Tour de France and won the Bronze medal in the Time Trial at the Olympic Games. Froome amassed five stage-race victories in 2013, with triumphs at the Tour of Oman, Criterium International, Tour de Romandie and Criterium du Dauphine leading into a dominant win at the 100th Tour de France. He won the prestigious Velo d'Or award for best rider of 2013 and was shortlisted for the 2013 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. In 2014 he won the Tour of Oman, the Tour de Romandie and finished runner-up in the Vuelta a Espana.

Genres: Cycling, Nonfiction, Biography, Sports, Autobiography, Audiobook, Memoir

448 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 2014

Reviews

[Andrew Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I got my first proper bike, in my early teens, I felt truly liberated. Suddenly I could go anywhere, discover paths untrodden and explore the big wide world. Well, ok it wasn’t quite as transformational as that – but the thing is it felt like it. I got the same sense from reading the early chapters of Froome’s autobiography. He was born to a reasonably prosperous family in Kenya: the family business was successful enough to enable his two elder brothers to be schooled at Rugby school, in England. But suddenly it all went wrong, the business collapsed and his parents split. Suddenly his dad had moved to South Africa whilst Chris stayed in Kenya with his mum. Money was tight. His release was his bike. It certainly wasn’t an expensive item and he found himself finding creative ways to finance running repairs from the local ‘engineers’ who welded scraps of metal to support broken parts.

The early chapters are full of anecdotes of Froome’s passion for his bike and his industry in seeking ways to maximize his time spent on two wheels. Eventually he met and befriended a Kenyan professional rider and he began to get schooled in the craft of race riding. His determination to eventually become a professional rider was pretty much obsessional from this point on. It’s clear he had a tough upbringing but his love for his country of birth shines through and vivid pictures are painted of the beauty – and sometimes the risks – of taking long rides through its rugged landscape.

He eventually succeeds in rising to the top of the (not very tall) Kenyan cycling tree. There are amusing tales of the lack of professionalism and support provided when he attended some minor international races. And mixing with teams from more developed countries at the Commonwealth Games demonstrated to him how far behind his country was in terms of technology and coaching. Nonetheless, he managed to put together enough good results to attract the attention of a professional cycling team.

As you’d expect in a sporting bio, there’s a lot of detail from this point about various races, about riders and team officials. His opinions are voiced frankly and, it seemed to me, honestly. The key chapters I’d been looking forward to were those where he talked about his experiences of riding the Tour de France in 2012 and 2013. In July every year I religiously watch stage highlights every day and was glued to the set in 2012 when Bradley Wiggins became the first British rider to be successful in winning this brutal event. It was evident to most people watching that Froome – his able lieutenant – was stronger in some of the big mountain stages and pundits were openly opining that he was, in fact, the better rider. Could he have won instead of Wiggo, had the team set him free to fully capitalize on his strength and form? Many thought he could have and probably would have.

The accounts of the two Tour de France campaigns is fascinating stuff. Froome doesn’t hold back in describing the conflicts in the team during the first race. Not surprisingly, contract negotiations ahead of the 2013 race centered on whether he’d be fully supported in going for the General Classification prize (awarded to the overall race winner). He eventually secured an answer that turned out to be more ambiguous than he’d originally interpreted, but then fate intervened and he turned up for the race with his team fully behind him. Just in case you’re not a cycling fan or didn’t pick up the news at the time, Froome went on to win the race by a comfortable margin (a feat he repeated in 2015 – after this book was published).

This is probably one for bike racing aficionados and lovers of sport in general, but there’s enough depth here in following Froome’s determined and brave struggle to reach the top of his chosen sport to inspire anybody. It’s well put together and he has a great story to tell. Personally, I can’t wait to track his efforts this year in ‘Le Tour’ – I’ll settle down with a cup of tea and map of the course and cheer him ‘til my lungs hurt.

[J.R. Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book right after reading My Time by Brad Wiggins and am going to do a quick comparison between the two books. From a reader's perspective, Froome's autobiography, The Climb was much easier to read, more linear, less confusing, lighter and frankly, the writing was superior. Brad Wiggins the man (sorry, the knight), from outside the fish bowl, is an enigma. He is consistently inconsistent, aloof and seems incredibly (and sadly) insecure with himself. This comes out in his writing -how he describes his interactions with others, how his thoughts are all over the place. I would have thought a good editor would have reigned in his tangents but perhaps it was an attempt to...allow readers a glimpse inside the mind of Sir. Wiggo. Brad's story was post-olympics and onward and it lacked the foundation, the back story that was so prevalent in Froome's The Climb.

Last week Sir Bradley Wiggins won the Time Trial World Championships making him the only cyclist to gold medal in the Olympics, win the Tour de France and win the World Championships. This may never be done again in the history of the sport. When Brad is on, he is phenomenal -unstoppable in the time trial. I believe Froome could take him in the mountains...but that's neither here nor there.

The window into Froome's past that comprises the first quarter (or more) of his book is very well written and entertaining. It gave me insight into the man I see in the media and on the television during the race season. The endearing account of his early life in Kenya followed by his early cycling career and taking us through his 2013 Tour de France victory is one of the best athlete autobiographies I've had the pleasure of reading. My perception of Chris is someone I'd love to meet -a nice guy (although fiercely competitive).

Brad Wiggins has moments where he, too, can be that guy you'd like to meet in a local pub and share a pint in his autobiography...but it is spotted with moments that made me wonder if that was the real Brad...or is Brad the other guy -the guy with the walls all around him, the guy who can't communicate with his own team. He leaves you confused because I think he is confused. I truly hope Wiggo is able to find peace in his life.

So, in summary: The Climb: excellent read, highly recommend. My Time is more sterile, harder to read but a highly interesting glimpse into the mind of a cycling legend. While Froome speaks more of his interactions with Wiggins, the stories intertwine so much that if you're going to read one, you certainly should read the other. Start with My Time (otherwise your perception of Brad may be poisoned before you give him a chance).

2015 should be a great year for cycling and the paths of Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins will no doubt be captivating.

[kartik narayanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.

Chris Froome's story from the backyard of Kenya to winning the Tour de France is a fairy tale. There is plenty of angst and hardship that he has to go through to get to the spot. I liked how he explains his complex relationship to Kenya and Africa, and that he is aware enough that his whiteness grants him a privilege when compared to other black african riders. Also, while his story at Team Sky seems neutral, obviously it is heavily slanted towards his point of view.

Reading Chris Froome's book is a nice contrast to Phil Gaimon's story in the pro circuit. It shows the difference between their relative luck and skills as well.

[Adhityani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of Chris Froome. To me, he seems a robotic winning machine from the overpowering force in cycling that is Team Sky. His wins are almost too predictable. He doesn't give memorable media appearances. He just doesn't fit the mould of the charismatic cycling superstar that many of his counterparts share and would inspire legions of pro cyclists to come.

But this book changes everything. This is such an engaging and witty account of Froome the gangly and awkward white African kid and his struggle to earn his spot in one of the world's most competitive sports. It takes us through a rough childhood in Kenya that is far from the privilege promised to him by the colour of his skin, due to the financial turbulence and subsequent divorce of his parents. The story is sprinkled with some heartwarming and funny experiences living as an outcast in such a colourful culture with is dynamic political setting.

I didn't expect to read an underdog story, but that was exactly what Froome's story was. My eyes were opened to the fact that he had far limited access to training means and facilities and even sparring partners and that could have stifled him in his growth had it not been for his iron will. He did not let himself be belittled or defeated but kept pushing himself in some extraordinary manner. So many of the circumstances he faced as a junior cyclist reminded me of what our aspiring pro athletes here face.

I did not realise how European cycling was as a pro sport until I read how much Froome, a person of British heritage, struggled to fit in and to complete. I fully understand now why he decided to forego his Kenyan passport for a British one, for it had been the most practical decision to advance his career. I loved the fact that he was Kenyan at heart and how he has taken his unique cultural experiences and applied them in his life. The man was definitely set up to lead and look at where he is right now!

A golden nugget is how the book treats Froome's rivalry with Wiggins. The book lays bare about Froome's feelings about some of the decisions that Wiggins had made over his head, finally putting to rest some of the rumours. Wiggins is characterised as a bit of a diva, something I don't entirely disagree with, judging from his public outbursts, but may not sit well with Wiggo groupies!

All in all, the book gave me a newfound respect for the man and for the sport. I am a Froome convert now! But regardless of where your allegiances are, and what sports you are into, I think "The Climb" is one of the finest sports bios out there at the moment. For sure, this book is going to enlight and delight any cyclist, so if you are into road cycling, go and pick up this one!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Presumably more Walsh than Froome, but this read surprisingly well. Normally sporting autobiographies can be a little dull - first I did this; then I won that etc. But, I felt like I got a better view of Froome, the man, than I had before. Almost candid comments about the non-relationship with Brad, the difficulties of working with the mercurial Brailsford, his obvious dissatisfaction with some of the team's decisions around contract renewal and letting Bobby Julich go, as well as quite blatant digs at other pros with doping histories, makes this quite a 'warts and all' account. Obviously, in all of these stories Froome is the good guy - I suppose it is his autobiography - and it's not the forensic expose that some would be hoping for. There's very little suggestion that Froome has himself seen much, or been offered anything, for example. But, I came out of this having warmed to the man somewhat.

[Jenny Hilborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging and fascinating insight into the life of Chris Froome. At first, I found myself questioning the relevance of the first four or five chapters, which are filled with much detail about his childhood; however, I realized by chapter six or so onwards that, without this backstory, we would not have the level of understanding required to fully appreciate Chris Froome's professional struggle nor the efforts of all those who have helped him.

In Froome's early career, he describes so many disappointments, professional errors, and lost races, you feel frustrated for him and find yourself pulling for him. He fought hard to get where he is and does not forget those who made it possible.

The narrative concerning some of the rivals and managers is blunt and harsh, though likely fair. Some of my favorite pieces of the book are the where we get to see what goes on behind the scenes of some of the Grand Tours. I'll be watching the next TDF routing for Team Sky and Chris Froome, with a far greater appreciation for what the race is like for the riders.

5 stars for the content. 4 stars due to some typos and one glaring date inconsistency. I also found the ending slightly lacking the punch I expected: for someone who'd fought so hard to get onto the professional circuit and then went on to win the Maillot Jaune for the biggest race cycling has to offer, I wanted the ending to reflect the magnitude of what he'd achieved. Instead, it felt like some of the air had seeped out of his tires by this point.

[Bejoy Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't recommend this book enough, whether you like cycling or not. This book makes me want to head out 4 in the morning and cycle. One of my favorite line from the book:

Forget common sense, grab the handlebars, dip the head, push the legs and ride hard for the gap

[Jim Dennison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Froome gets a bad rap from many people. To the casual observer he’s the perfect mix of super successful and devoid of any edge or personality or passion. A recipe for smugness.

But this book shows him to be the opposite. Shallow waters run deep.

His unconventional upbringing in Kenya. His love and closeness with his mother. And above all the unrelenting consuming love for riding a bike. And riding it until it hurts. And then going deeper, and deeper into that pain.

His success was destiny from the start.

The mistakes, the knock backs, the politics (great recounting of his period being pitted against Bradley Wiggins and importantly the *feelings* and complex relationship between team and rider).

It’s a story of persistence driven by this love and passion.

One of the most inspirational cycling books I’ve read especially for amateur cyclists like myself.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I knew who Chris Froome was, but discovered I really had no idea where and how his cycling career started. This was an excellent and entertaining look into his life and career. I especially appreciated how real and approachable he became during the reading. He not only shares his victories and defeats, but also his frequently hilarious screw-ups. Like riding a time trial with cotton balls stuffed in his nose. It was well worth the time, and the Audible version was well read and engaging.

[Thomas Hefke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating listen - I love books by endurance athletes. This is one of the best

[Barbi Vandermolen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started a bit slow but I really enjoyed it…definitely a fan!

[_APizza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read.

[Runningrara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit technical but intriguing glimpses of the man behind the yellow jersey.

[Ireney Berezniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I completed Chris Froome's "The Climb" a few days ago and I rather enjoyed it! I was curious to learn a little about his rise to the top of pro cycling considering his roots lie in Kenya, a nation not exactly known for its cycling program, or its products.

As expected, Froome begins his story in Kenya where as a young boy he developed a keen interest in cycling. The interest turned into a passion, and before long young Chris started to enter races to test his skills against others. At one such race, he met David Kinjah, a Kenyan cyclist who raced in Europe at some point of his career, and who managed, and continues to manage to this day, a local cycling team, the Safari Simbaz. On request of Froome's mother, Kinjah agreed to take the future pro under his wing and train him. The rest, as they say, is history.

Froome devotes a good number of pages to his experience at Team Sky. He describes his relationship with Brad Wiggins, and a number of other members of the team. Particularly interesting are his race logs; that of 2011 Vuelta a España, where he placed 2nd overall and which established him as a serious contender, 2012 Tour de France where he helped Wiggins to the top of the podium, and the 2013 edition of the race, which he has won. These logs offer an interesting insight into Froome's state of mind, and his approach to his new stardom status following his Vuelta result.

In general, I found the tone of the book to be fairly candid, genuine, and often heart-warming. Froome doesn't shy away from sharing his insecurities, nor does he skirt around his feelings regarding certain developments or individuals that influenced his career for better or for worse. Sometimes he comes across like an adolescent boy who blushes and stammers whenever a pretty girl speaks to him, other times he sounds downright whiny, but through out it all a strong dedication and love of the sport is evident. While describing his training or racing episodes, the passion and the drive are unmistakable, which explain to a certain degree the success that he has enjoyed as a pro.

Froome concluded his 2013 Tour de France speech with a powerful statement: "This is one yellow jersey that will stand the test of time". He reiterates his dedication to keeping the sport clean in this book, suggesting that anything else would be a betrayal of the people that have helped him to achieve his dream, and of the sport he loves so much. Powerful words indeed, and the test of time these words will face.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cards on the table I'm no fan of Froome so it's perhaps little surprise I didn't particularly enjoy this book. For me all the things that bore me about him come to the surface here. He's a great athlete no doubt but as a cyclist with panache, well not so much. He tries and tries to convince you here that he's always been a big fan (although admits he knows nothing of cycling's history). He also tries to defend his 'Britishness' (really poorly, Greg Rusedski would be chuckling). Perhaps most worryingly he really skirts around the genuine issues. Not outright doping but what about the TUE's Chris? What about your relationship with Bobby Julich? Is this book really ghost written by David Walsh, the man who helped bring down Lance Armstrong? Instead we just have chapter after chapter of Chris' trademark whingeing. We get it mate, you don't like Wiggins. 'The Climb'? Might as well have called it 'The Whine'.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. I am a Crash Froome fan after this. I love his positive attitude and even though he went through some hard times he understands that they make him who he is. I like that there was controversy between him and Wiggins yet he never bad mouthed him. He is able to poke fun at him self with his crashing and even tells you where you can watch his best tumbles.
I love that his mom was so involved in getting him where he is today. very inspiring story. Next hill I have I will totally cuss Froome for making me think it will be easy.
If you want a good book n cycling and have a cool story unfold, I would recommend this book

[Algirdas Purkenas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life before pro racing - very interesting.
In detail race recaps - became a bit boring.
Last bit about finally winning TDF - great.

15 hours audiobook felt a bit long.

P.s. all the cycling "fans" who dared to spit on Chris while he was racing and also pour piss on him - you deserve a lifetime ban from any sporting events. A person, who gives up everything to achieve greatness in cycling, simply does not deserve this. In case one of the fans will ever read this review - you are trash.

Inspired by Chris' dedication.

[Chris Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've become an increasingly avid cyclist, and was curious to read this. I found it engaging with just enough information and play-by-play of Froome's races to be interesting to someone with an interest in cycling. Pros might want more detailed information about power, etc., but this was obviously written for a more general audience and I'm not sure the info would be forthcoming even if it wasn't. A page-turner at points.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A história de vida de Chris Froome até vencer o seu primeiro Tour de France, a prova rainha do ciclismo de estrada.
Gostei bastante de estar dentro da mente de um grande campeão como o Froome, a sua história é inspiradora e é impossível ficar indiferente. A escrita é muito acessível e segue uma linha cronologia até 2013. Quase 10 anos volvidos, Froome deverá ter umas belas memórias para fazer um segundo volume *.*

[Kobus Engelbrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the best autobiography I've ever read. Not only did it give me a great insight to the cycling world, but it was an honest description of what goes on in the world of sport; it did not shy away from doping and Chris's views on those who used drugs to enhance their performance. Finally, the humour had me laughing out loud in many places! Brilliant read.

[Jo Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Passion, grit and honesty in bucket loads from Mr Froome. Pacy and energetic narration of his early life and his meteoric rise made a compelling listen, even for someone with only a lay persons interest in pro cycling.

[David Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. A bit like a diary. I like Chris a bit better after reading.

[Martha☀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating account of Chris Froome's climb from a kid in Kenya to a winner of the Tour de France. To me, it was jaw-dropping to realize that Froome had never even seen any footage of The Tour until 2oo8 and 5 years later he won it. He was just a kid who loved to ride his bike, inspired by the locals at the bike shop, and who eventually got himself noticed. A natural athlete from the very beginning, he was able to push himself farther, harder and longer than anyone else he knew. He paints a vivid image of sneaking out of his boarding school in order to ride an ill-fitting mountain bike over the South African mountains, at risk of being caught by his headmaster or headboy.
Froome had a lot to learn as he entered the professional bike racing world. His natural trust in other people was shaken and had to be adapted as he learned to stand up for himself and self-promote. He knew what he was capable of and endlessly had to make other people notice his pure athleticism, loyalty and hard work. Team Sky took their sweet time in noticing his efforts, committing to him and paying him what he deserved. He was pushed around and, I dare say, swindled as he battled for the position of top dog against Bradley Wiggins. During his own Tour victory, Wiggins seemed like an entitled dink as he refused to socialize or even speak to Froome, or any of the other domestiques, when off the bike. Wiggins was like a looming black cloud on Froome's career, always posing a threat to unseat Froome as the GC contender. I will have to follow up by reading Wiggin's book My Time: An Autobiography to see things from his side.
The narrative has a very conversational style which is engaging and endearing. Some references were lost on me as they seemed like inside jokes or perhaps dialectical anomalies that didn't translate well. There were places in the book where Froome spoke in the present tense and then switched to the past tense, which was jarring. It seemed that present tense was used when describing the action within a race. Perhaps this was employed to add excitement and immediacy to the race atmosphere, but I don't think it worked. Also, despite the cover banner announcing his four Tour wins, this book covers only his first Tour victory.
But overall, I have fallen in love with Froome. His kindness is admirable and his work ethic is astonishing. It would be a real treat to sit down and share a bowl of rice and tuna with this down-to-earth, humble Bike God!

[John Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike Peter Sagan's book, this one feels like it has a purpose throughout. Not only a purpose, but a good purpose. Froome's is the story of an underdog. Froome's is the story of African cycling. Froome's is the story of undying passion. Chris Froome is not my favorite cyclist by far but his book had me laughing and cheering for him at the same time. It may seem a bit self-important to write an autobiography before the age of 40 (or 60, for that matter), but the book isn't so much an autobiography as it is about the struggles he faced prior to winning his first Tour de France. And they were many.

One of the major themes in Froome's book and life is growing up in Africa. He wastes no time or opportunity to comment that, a) his color is not stereotypically African; b) his color probably helped him access opportunities; c) the fact that his family came from Britain and had some wealth compared to most Africans definitely helped him access opportunities; d) his family's history allowed him to easily transfer to a British cycling license, which fully opened the door for him. Froome does an excellent job, I think, of writing about and honoring native Kenyan culture, admiring and honoring those who helped him on his path but didn't and don't have the same chances he had, but also honestly including himself in their struggles when appropriate. For instance, just because Froome is white doesn't mean he wasn't beholden to the dysfunctional Kenyan Cycling Federation for most of his early career.

Froome's story is also, for sure, a story many people will find inspiring. His parents had a messy divorce, he didn't start riding until a teenager, he didn't have natural ability. Froome essentially had to make himself into a cyclist through the power of his passion. Because of his parents' struggles (again, he wasn't economically disenfranchised as most native Kenyans are, but he also wasn't elite as many of his white friends were), Froome also had to learn how to stand up for himself, to be his own person. Owning two giant pythons as pets was part of that, I suppose--and definitely part of the most humorous sections of the book.

Good lessons all the way around. Good story, too. You might not like how dominant Froome was for a number of years but you have to like his story.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friends who know me as a voracious reader of literary fiction, especially focused on the Indian sub-continent, are generally surprised to discover that I've also read a lot of books about cycling. All the more so because I've not been on a bike with any regularity since my student days. I have long been fascinated by the human endurance and mental strength required to succeed in professional cycling.

Seeing that the book was written with David Walsh, author of the excellent 'Seven Deadly Sins' in which he recounted his battle to prove that Lance Armstrong was a cheat, and wanting to know more about Froome, the enigmatic quiet man of cycling, I was sure this would be a good book. Or if not a good book, at least a well written one.

It's actually a bit of a mix. I LOVED the early chapters about Chris's life growing up as a nerdy white kid hanging out with the cool Kenya cyclists before being sent to school in South Africa where he regularly crept out of school in the early hours to go training. I enjoyed his musings on why he had to change his nationality and his condemnation of the officials in Kenyan cycling. I found his climb up through the ranks of the peleton, his repeated mistakes and gradual learnings all very interesting.

The problem was that the second half of the book turns into a bit of a snore-fest of detailed descriptions of races interspersed with unpleasant incidents between Froome and Wiggins. It's sad to read of broken promises and let downs by Team Sky and if it's all true - and I've no reason to think it's not - Froome really does seem to have been a victim of the team's preferences for Wiggins. The problem is that there's nothing very attractive about people using autobiographies to settle scores.

The book ends with Froome's first Tour de France win. I suspect a lot of his story was just beginning at that point. But I'm not sure I could have faced reading the stage by stage details of another 4 or 5 Tours.

I liked Froome before and I still like him now. I'm glad I know more about his childhood and his motivations but there comes a point when another mountain climb starts to read much the same as all the others.

[Heather Belleguelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have huge admiration and respect for Chris Froome and thought that it was high time I read this book to gain a greater understanding of his background and journey to his phenomenal success. From his family and early cycling days in Kenya and South Africa to his journey to Europe, pro-cycling, and finally his first Tour de France win, I enjoyed reading it all. His ghost writer, David Walsh, has done an excellent job of putting Chris’s story together in a very readable and engrossing form. The book really does give an insight into Chris’s character, his hard work and determination, and, seeing this, it’s not surprising that he has had so much success in the world of pro-cycling. The humility he has displayed during that success very much comes through as he pays tribute to the people who have supported, mentored, and encouraged him throughout his journey. I also enjoyed the little insights into Chris’s take on teammates and other members of the peloton.

Reading the book was a little bittersweet as I bought it only the day before Chris’s recent accident, planning to read it on my holiday in France just before this year’s Tour. However, reading about some of the experiences that Chris has gone through and coming to understand a bit more about his amazing determination and work ethic, I have hope that if anyone can come back from the injuries he has sustained and once again get to the top of his game, it’s Chris.

I can highly recommend this book to cycling fans and to anyone who wants to read a story of how determination, courage, and hard work, coupled with humility and character, can bring great rewards. I do hope that in time we’ll get to read “The Climb Part Two” and that Chris will share his continuing journey with us.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hasn't been widely read, which is unfortunate, because it's an excellent choice for a cycling enthusiast. I've read quite a few cycling autobiographies and memoirs, but this one stands out for Chris Froome's Kenyan origins. It's simply more interesting to read about how one becomes a professional cyclist coming out of Kenya than coming out of France or Spain or even the US. For me, the first half of the book, which covers his youth and early career as an African cyclist, is by far the most interesting. I enjoyed it as much as any cycling book I've read, save Lance's It's Not About the Bike. The latter half of the book devolves into the usual blow-by-blow account of his experiences in the major tours and doesn't stand out as much from other cyclists' accounts. "My legs felt sluggish and I had a bad day; my legs felt great and I won the stage", etc.

I did find the discussion of his conflicts with Dave Wiggins interesting. I didn't watch the tour the year Wiggins won, so this was news to me.

Froome talks a lot about his opposition to doping and how he is clean. I have unfortunately come to a point where I never find this kind of thing compelling as one too many athletes has ended up testing positive. Froome himself testing positive for too much of an asthma medication he has a TUE for (special permission to take) and while he was cleared, I in general think the type of ruthlessness necessary to win the TdF tends to elevate athletes who are willing to do whatever it takes.

[Sharoon Saleem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris wrote this memoir after winning his first tour. Now we all know Chris as the Demi-god of cycling in this decade having won 4 TdF, 2 Vueltas and also the Giro. It is easier to connect dots, the guy is an iceberg of resolve bringing courage from deep within to keep moving forward. The little parts about him talking to himself about being crash froome or something going haywire tells you that the greatest of champions also have their demons. Chris overcame the cards he was dealt with (not belonging to mainstream European talent recruitment epicentres but Kenya) to being in a team with a once in a generation talent (Sir Wiggins), Chris fought each day to rise to the top of his sport. Looking back seeing him recover from a horrid injury at Dauphine that would have ended most careers - he is back on the bike as fit as ever and looking to compete for the 5th title. This is a story for the legends.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the detail of Froome's background fascinating. Is he British? Well, he feels, looks and sounds British but he has never lived in Britain and rarely visits this country. In many ways, this makes him even more interesting. He is one tough guy, intelligent, motivated and talented. His insight into his rise as a grand tour rider and his relationship with Wiggins is interesting and throws some clarification onto events of 'Bradley's Tour'. Having read the book I absolutely believe he is a clean rider, his behaviour, good manners, politeness and patience put many footballers and even some cyclist to shame. Non-cyclists will find the forensic examination of race tactics a bit tedious but I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about a top sportsman doing everything as it should be done.

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The path to his first Tour victory

A story of an unlikely Tour winner his beginnings were sewn with obstacles many of his contemporaries in Europe and US did not face. Yes he was lucky in meeting the right people at the right time who helped him to the leading rider postion in one of the best cycling teams in the post-Lance era. But you cannot avoid admiring and crediting his perseverence, hard work and sacrifices made - with a solid dollop of panache - to not only win the Tour, Giro and Vuelta at various times, and also restore some of the sport's lost credibility due to doping. A thoroughly enjoyable read, cracling with dynamism and personality - much like the individuala at its core.