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The Hardmen: Legends and Lessons from the Cycling Gods
Embrace and revel in the stories of the toughest cyclists of all time, told by The Velominati, originators of The Rules. Read and get ready to ride . . . In cycling, suffering brings a rider's value can be judged by their results, but also by their panache and heroism. Prepared to be awed and inspired by Chris Froome riding on at the Tour de France with a broken wrist or Geraint Thomas finishing it with a broken pelvis. In The Hardmen the writers behind cycling superblog Velominati.com and The Rules will tell the stories and illuminate the myths of not just the greatest cyclists ever, but the toughest. From Eddy Merckx to Beryl Burton, and from Marianne Vos to Edwig Van Hooydonk, the book will lay bare the secrets of their extraordinary and inspirational endurance in the face of pain, danger and disaster. After all, suffering is one of the joys of being a cyclist. Embrace climbs, relish the descents, and get ready to harden up . . .
- GenresCyclingSportsNonfiction
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2017
60 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
The Velominati
6 books9 followersThe Velominati, or Keepers of the Cog, are founder and main author Frank Strack (Seattle), Brett Kennedy (New Zealand), Gianni Andrews (Hawaii), Marko Carlson (Minnesota), and Jim Thomson (Seattle). Their site, Velominati.com, receives over two million views per month.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 25, 2017
"Velominati" = how cute. This is my first giveaway winner - yeah! - so NO complaining. I was once an avid cyclist(think Boulder, Colorado) but am now an aging one(think Trek hybrid) in Maine. I've glanced at this and can readily see that it ain't much, but I hope to enjoy "reading" it.
I picked this up last night and so far have enjoyed it very much. Once upon a time I was very much into cycling and even watched some races around Boulder. The only big wig I can recall seeing was Greg Lemond(oops - I forgot Phil Anderson). He(Lemond) is on the cover of the book just behind and to the right(looking at the cover) of Bernard (The Badger) Hinault, the man from whom he wrested the Tour de France crown. The tone is lightweight and the overall effect is one of lighthearted awe at the achievements of the cyclists portrayed. Only one of the authors(so far) has been identified: David Millar.
Moving on with more good stories. Lance Armstrong is generally referred to here as "dickhead." Did ANYBODY like the guy??????
Finished last night with a list of all the "rules" and definitions of various cycling purist's lingo. Also, some more of the writers' identities: Frank Strack, John "Gianni" Andrews, Bret Kennedy.
- Now ... all due respect to rule #90, but the cover photo shows ALL of the visible bikes/riders with chains in the small ring. That includes Hinault and Lemond!
- 3.25* rounds down to a solid 3* fun read.
I picked this up last night and so far have enjoyed it very much. Once upon a time I was very much into cycling and even watched some races around Boulder. The only big wig I can recall seeing was Greg Lemond(oops - I forgot Phil Anderson). He(Lemond) is on the cover of the book just behind and to the right(looking at the cover) of Bernard (The Badger) Hinault, the man from whom he wrested the Tour de France crown. The tone is lightweight and the overall effect is one of lighthearted awe at the achievements of the cyclists portrayed. Only one of the authors(so far) has been identified: David Millar.
Moving on with more good stories. Lance Armstrong is generally referred to here as "dickhead." Did ANYBODY like the guy??????
Finished last night with a list of all the "rules" and definitions of various cycling purist's lingo. Also, some more of the writers' identities: Frank Strack, John "Gianni" Andrews, Bret Kennedy.
- Now ... all due respect to rule #90, but the cover photo shows ALL of the visible bikes/riders with chains in the small ring. That includes Hinault and Lemond!
- 3.25* rounds down to a solid 3* fun read.
October 27, 2018
Humourous and reasonably informative (depending on the depth of your knowledge on the riders beforehand) collection of stories looking at many of the legends of our sport and the exploits that qualified them as "hard men". The book is easily read (I finished it in one sitting on a 7 hour flight) and not very demanding, and of course an understanding of the Velominati and their self-deprecating Rules, helps in understanding the tone and demeanour.
April 23, 2022
My ninth cycling volume of the past year, and I give this one high marks: It's up there with The Beast, The Emperor, & The Milkman + The Rider when you consider its obvious love for the sport mixed with its sense of humor about the sea of amateurs who follow it.
Let me reel this back a moment to say: this again is a book about Euro pros and their feats in the grand tours & spring classics of Europe (with a few exceptions for some Americans – and dammit, not even particularly admirable or well-known ones<?!?> – and a Colombian). It's fun 'cause it's written in 3-4 page mini bios about the pro's accomplishments along with _what really made him/her stand out_. That's the fanboy/film critic side of what otherwise might have been a dry collection of a few dozen cyclist heroes: the editors of the book went and compiled the master list of cycling's greatest, then by committee whittled down who deserved to be represented in the definitive account.
And that's where it gets pretty fun. You learn (if you didn't know) that Merckx was dominant but humorless, that Jan Rass was this Dutch oddity that might only have come out of the 1970s, with a huge pair of eyeglasses but also a hulking frame – it's the flawed protagonist who you're gawking at while he wins Paris-Roubaix.
You're also treated to cycling's modern internet macho side which can be equal parts humorous and cringe: they dunk on Armstrong constantly (he's the Hardman whose name must not be spoken because without his bullying and doping you'd never know his name, hence he's referred to as Pharmstrong), and yes the book is full of these somewhat stupid rules which belong more on internet forums than in a book.
But that's sort of the charm: Does the rule that says "It's okay to talk about your ride that climbed 3,000 feet, whereas maybe don't even mention in public that 100-mile ride on level ground" seem funny? It does to me, 'cause it contains some silly machismo, some humor, and a bit of truth. Your results may vary depending on how hardcore (but self-effacing) or how eclectic (though disciplined) your cycling love is.
Oh, you're not a cyclist? The isn't the book you're looking for. Oh, the humor is a little edgy? Take into consideration there's nuanced profiles of women (as racers and as those persons who are no longer there to be objectified) and changing cultures in toxicity and doping. Yes, it's got a tough guy bent: It's called The Hardmen. Yes, it strikes the right balance between a digest of easy reads, humor, takes of athletic prowess, and occasional touches of inspiration. Yes, if you took VeloNews or Dirt Magazine (for the serious rider) and condensed it to internet blurbs (for the modern age) with dabs of snark (to keep from rolling your eyes or falling asleep), this is what you'd get.
Let me reel this back a moment to say: this again is a book about Euro pros and their feats in the grand tours & spring classics of Europe (with a few exceptions for some Americans – and dammit, not even particularly admirable or well-known ones<?!?> – and a Colombian). It's fun 'cause it's written in 3-4 page mini bios about the pro's accomplishments along with _what really made him/her stand out_. That's the fanboy/film critic side of what otherwise might have been a dry collection of a few dozen cyclist heroes: the editors of the book went and compiled the master list of cycling's greatest, then by committee whittled down who deserved to be represented in the definitive account.
And that's where it gets pretty fun. You learn (if you didn't know) that Merckx was dominant but humorless, that Jan Rass was this Dutch oddity that might only have come out of the 1970s, with a huge pair of eyeglasses but also a hulking frame – it's the flawed protagonist who you're gawking at while he wins Paris-Roubaix.
You're also treated to cycling's modern internet macho side which can be equal parts humorous and cringe: they dunk on Armstrong constantly (he's the Hardman whose name must not be spoken because without his bullying and doping you'd never know his name, hence he's referred to as Pharmstrong), and yes the book is full of these somewhat stupid rules which belong more on internet forums than in a book.
But that's sort of the charm: Does the rule that says "It's okay to talk about your ride that climbed 3,000 feet, whereas maybe don't even mention in public that 100-mile ride on level ground" seem funny? It does to me, 'cause it contains some silly machismo, some humor, and a bit of truth. Your results may vary depending on how hardcore (but self-effacing) or how eclectic (though disciplined) your cycling love is.
Oh, you're not a cyclist? The isn't the book you're looking for. Oh, the humor is a little edgy? Take into consideration there's nuanced profiles of women (as racers and as those persons who are no longer there to be objectified) and changing cultures in toxicity and doping. Yes, it's got a tough guy bent: It's called The Hardmen. Yes, it strikes the right balance between a digest of easy reads, humor, takes of athletic prowess, and occasional touches of inspiration. Yes, if you took VeloNews or Dirt Magazine (for the serious rider) and condensed it to internet blurbs (for the modern age) with dabs of snark (to keep from rolling your eyes or falling asleep), this is what you'd get.
April 22, 2018
Apparently the idea is to celebrate tough guy cycling, mostly road racing figures, mostly (but not entirely) men. The point of view, according to the dust jack, is one of "(ir)reverance." Well, perhaps.
Each of the 38 chapters focuses on a particular cyclist. The chapters are not long enough to say that much. The tone is . . . well, it might be fine for a blog, but it seems a little much for a book.
I suppose as much as anything I was annoyed when the chapter about Rebecca Twigg said she attended Washington University in Seattle. Of for God's sake, it is the University of Washington. Washington University is not in Washington state. Geez.
There is a snarky attitude towards dopers such as Tyler Hamilton or Mr. Armstrong, but the casual thumbs-up, thumbs-down approach of the collective authors disregards the historical complexities of this topic. To take just one example, the same Rebecca Twigg won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics in part because of admitted blood doping, which at the time was merely discouraged and not forbidden - the chapter doesn't mention this.
The intent of the book seems good, and the person chosen seem interesting enough, but the execution could have been better.
Each of the 38 chapters focuses on a particular cyclist. The chapters are not long enough to say that much. The tone is . . . well, it might be fine for a blog, but it seems a little much for a book.
I suppose as much as anything I was annoyed when the chapter about Rebecca Twigg said she attended Washington University in Seattle. Of for God's sake, it is the University of Washington. Washington University is not in Washington state. Geez.
There is a snarky attitude towards dopers such as Tyler Hamilton or Mr. Armstrong, but the casual thumbs-up, thumbs-down approach of the collective authors disregards the historical complexities of this topic. To take just one example, the same Rebecca Twigg won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics in part because of admitted blood doping, which at the time was merely discouraged and not forbidden - the chapter doesn't mention this.
The intent of the book seems good, and the person chosen seem interesting enough, but the execution could have been better.
August 3, 2018
Got as a gift, but really not my cup of tea. While some of the stories are interesting, the book more serves as a vehicle for the pompous and sometimes amusing musings of the Velominati who have taken upon themselves to be the "style makers" for road cycling. Their "rules" of cycling start out as somewhat amusing, but boy do these guys take themselves seriously. It all becomes much too much. Plus the "stories" are often not much more than a few snide and snarky comments to help remind the readers of just how important the Velominati are and why what they say rules.
December 15, 2017
Not exactly a page turner but it's good for random peaks. My annoyances are the often quotation of the 'rules' which stems the flow of the writing. There are a few grammatical errors/years wrong which I found irritating.
What I like and why you might like it: Great insights into stars of yesteryear without going into the nitty gritty details. Great quotes (the one featuring Jan Raas wasn't favorite). Also, not treating the 90s epo era riders as devils. They were human after all.
What I like and why you might like it: Great insights into stars of yesteryear without going into the nitty gritty details. Great quotes (the one featuring Jan Raas wasn't favorite). Also, not treating the 90s epo era riders as devils. They were human after all.
April 14, 2019
Finished little over half of this book and it took me forever. I liked the premise (cool stories about badass racers) and I even liked the writing, but too much is too much. The tone becomes bit by bit a little old and boring and old and, well, I guess I am really not that much into about obscure stories about riders about most of whom I have never heard. Maybe if you are really into road cycling you will enjoy this more.
March 29, 2018
Super interesting and funny way to get to know some of the biggests cycling leyenda. Fully enjoyed once more the informal way of writing of the Velominati which made me feel like these were histories being told by close friends.
October 22, 2017
Fantastisk morsom bok om de hardeste rytterne i sykkelsporten. Det kuuleste med boka, er at den tar med så mange av de kvinnelige syklistene. Det fortjener de!
April 6, 2018
If you know Cycling and you like the Velominati, you will love this book. If what I just said makes no sense, don’t bother. Or V.
October 15, 2018
A must read for any bike rider who considers themselves a true cyclist.
June 24, 2019
Funny. Irreverent. Sure, it's basically an opinion piece, but it doesn't attempt to be any more than that. Because of that, it succeeds.
September 14, 2019
A good irreverent take on cycling legends and characters
I enjoyed the style and the inclusion of some lesser-known personalities. Read some Phil Gaimon if you liked this one.
I enjoyed the style and the inclusion of some lesser-known personalities. Read some Phil Gaimon if you liked this one.
July 18, 2020
Funny in places. It was deliberately brief but I would have preferred a more detailed book with fewer entries.
July 31, 2020
Great insight
Book made me feel special everyday when I go out on the gravel , dirt and mud outside my front door. Makes my day thinking about it
Book made me feel special everyday when I go out on the gravel , dirt and mud outside my front door. Makes my day thinking about it
March 20, 2023
Individually some great stories, but others are "eh". There isn't a super consistent narrative thread, so it mostly felt like a series of blog posts.
October 14, 2023
Loved it.
February 22, 2022
It's fun and silly and generally a good time! Loved their first book too!!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews