Come and Gone

by Joe Parkin

“There's something very approachable about the underdog, the guy who works as hard as anyone, but never achieves the stardom we all chase. Joe's candor is refreshing to read and entertaining as hell.” ― PezCycling News Come and Gone is the eagerly anticipated sequel to Joe Parkin’s Belgian cycling classic, A Dog in a Hat , bringing Parkin home to the nascent American bike racing scene that would give rise to Lance Armstrong and the homegrown sport of mountain biking. After five years of gritty, blue-collar bike racing in Belgium, Parkin flies back to the United States with empty pockets and no contract. He joins the elite Coors Lite road team as a key member, but the adjustment to domestic racing, with small crowds, rookie teammates, and poorly promoted events, is a letdown after the glory of racing in the European peloton. Disillusioned, Joe is ready to hang up his cleats when he is offered a contract with a pro mountain bike team. The freshness of mountain biking proves to be an Joe's career blossoms and he rediscovers his love of the sport. Come and Gone is a rare, frank, and intimate sports memoir about the lifestyle of the pro scene during the heyday of American mountain bike racing. “The race descriptions are so realistic, you’ll need a heart-rate monitor.” ― USA Today “A fun, barebones adventure through the eyes of a professional cycling journeyman.” ― VeloNews “An unflinching look at the grueling and often mundane world of professional cycling. Dirt geeks will appreciate the historical context as Parkin races in the blossoming mountain bike scene of the ‘90s and competes against legends such as Ned Overend and Tinker Juarez…An engaging coming of age story on the bike.” ― Dirt Rag

Genres: Cycling, Biography

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Shannon Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting continuation of Parkins bike racing career after leaving the Euro Pro circuit. I found it to be a bit deflating coming off of his incredible story “Dog in a Hat” and his later career as editor of magazines such as BIKE and PAVED. He set a very high standard (for me) describing the european racing arena in ‘Dog’ and then found mediocrity in the newly burgeoning American (and soon to be Euro) MTB racing. I could readily identify and feel his emotion in the inability to break thru to greatness but it also gives the reader motivation and a better understanding of what it takes to win at the highest level

[Tim Blackburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever suffered pedaling a bicycle up a tough climb while singing AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top" as loud as you can - then you will love this book. The tough life of a pro biker poised below the elite riders of the Tour de France is described in fascinating detail. The hardships of rides for not much money. The author raced thru most of the 90's until 1998 and the most money he made in a calendar year was just south of $30k. A pro at this level, although faster than 99.9% of the bicyclers in the world, races for the love of racing. A thoroughly entertaining and informing read.

[Brian Rosser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up after reading Parkin's other book "Dog in a Hat" which I would highly recommend. I was really looking forward to reading this, however the problem I had with this book was that every time the stories start to get beneath the surface to reveal something I'd be interested in hearing they end, stop and Joe get's off his bike.

[Judge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good follow up to 'A Dog in a Hat' book. I forgot Joe Parkin raced for DBR and that he was in Chainsmoke.

[Gpickle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about bike racing, this is a sequel of sorts. It stands alone, but his first book covered his time racing in Europe, this picks up where that ended and covers his time as a pro bike racer in the US. After the first book I was expecting / hoping for more. The book was interesting, yes, and I read it in 2 sittings, broken only by a good night of sleep. For anyone (like me) who once thought they were probably the most gifted rider in the world - destined for tour de france glory, it is a good peek at what a "glamorous" life the strong bike rider lives. The fact that he was racing as a pro when I was wanting to be one just means I remember all the teams, races, and most of the riders he mentions. But as a writer he had to make choices as to how to tell his story and his choices left me wanting more from the book. He seems bitter about the last few years of his career, keeps referencing his past strong ride at the tour de Suisse, and puts a lot of effort into recapping how fast he was, but how it was not enough due to bad luck, crappy teams, high altitude. But I think he could have turned the tone of the book on it's head and focused on how fast he was, and how he had some great results in his career, but it is a hard life, everyone out there wants to kick your butt and will do you no favors, and he had a good time until it was time to stop. Maybe the reason I can suggest it but he couldn't do it is because being a pro really made him bitter, but the book did not seem to make up it's mind about much, including why he was writing it. I guess it is okay to look back at your career and just be confused, and if that is where Joe is I think he wrote a fine book to detail it, but he won't get more than 3 stars out of me for it.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. His writing seems to have matured a bit since writing his first book and the race stories seem to have more completion to them now rather than abandoning race stories mid-race once he'd finished his anecdote, but some of the magic seems to be missing from this book. Whether the fresh outlook is replaced by jaded cynicism or his depression or just the lack of funny stories, it's missing a little something.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

His first book, about his cycle racing in Europe, hung together better and was more interesting overall. He didn't express so much of his anger (at failure, I guess) until further along in the book.

Not too many folks write about professional cycling from a first person point of view so one can't be too picky.

[Hella Comat]

Great insight into professional mountain bike racing as a full time job/career. I read Joe Parkin's earlier book about his years road racing in Europe and this was his next move when he returned to the US. An eye-opener about life as a racer who is not always on the podium, looking for a team, and struggling with training styles.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

Joe's writing style is very easy to get sucked into. Finished the bike in three days. This book is the continuation of his first "A Dog in a Hat" and follows his transition to a professional mountain biker during the sports infancy. It follows Joe through his late twenties and his eventually burning out of the sport. Very good read.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting for it's peek into the life of a bike racer, particularly the mountain bike side of things ( which doesn't get a lot of coverage). I enjoyed reading about the early days of Chequamegon 40 and the personalities that raced it. A bit meandering in the narrative overall.

[Leonardo Campos-moya · Rating 4 out of 5]

great sequel to dog in a hat

[Josh Christensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is well written and tells some interesting tales but reading about slogging away on the domestic mountain bike circuit is not as interesting as struggling to make it in Belgium.