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The Rider Paperback – June 12, 2003
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The instant cult classic about biking, road racing, and the bicyclists who love their sport.
Originally published in Holland in 1978, The Rider went on to sell more than 100,000 copies. Brilliantly conceived and written at a break-neck pace, it is a loving, imaginative, and, above all, passionate tribute to the art of bicycle road racing.
Tim Krabbé begins this story at the very start of the Tour de Mont Aigoual, ready to race his rivals through the mountains of Central France. Over the course of the 150 pages that follows, Krabbé takes his bike 150 kilometers, and pulls his readers into the life of the sport he loves.
The Rider is beloved as a bicycle odyssey, a literary masterpiece, and the ultimate book for bike lovers as well as the arm-chair sports enthusiast.
- Print length160 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBloomsbury USA
- Publication dateJune 12, 2003
- Dimensions5.6 x 0.53 x 7.7 inches
- ISBN-101582342903
- ISBN-13978-1582342900
The chilling story of the abduction of two teenagers, their escape, and the dark secrets that, years later, bring them back to the scene of the crime. | Learn more
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Editorial Reviews
From The New Yorker
Copyright © 2005 The New Yorker
Review
'The Rider is a great read and a great ride. Krabbe's half-day race, delivered kilometer by kilometer onto the page, shows the sport for what it is: painful, exhilarating, tactical, relational, fast, slow, dangerous, consuming, prone to mechanical failure, heroic, futile...'
'A complex meditation on the nature of extreme physical and mental exertion, wrapped in the guise of a simple account of one bicycle race. It will leave you wrung out, exhilarated, and relieved that you didn't break any bones while experiencing it.'
'Compelling...irradiated by an intense love of cycling and a fascination with the nature of the racing experience...[Krabbe] captures the rhythm of the race.'
'The Rider is a great read and a great ride.'
From the Publisher
"Compelling...irradiated by an intense love of cycling and a fascination with the nature of the racing experience... [Krabbé] captures the rhythm of the race."-The Economist
"A complex meditation on the nature of extreme physical and mental exertion, wrapped in the guise of a simple account of one bicycle race. It will leave you wrung out, exhilarated, and relieved that you didn't break any bones while experiencing it."-Bookforum
About the Author
Tim Krabbe is the author of The Vanishing which was made into an award-winning film. The Cave was a bestseller in The Netherlands. He lives in Amsterdam.
Product details
- Publisher : Bloomsbury USA; Reprint edition (June 12, 2003)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 160 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1582342903
- ISBN-13 : 978-1582342900
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.6 x 0.53 x 7.7 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #309,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #876 in Sports Fiction (Books)
- #2,886 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction
- #9,362 in Memoirs (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book engaging and insightful. They praise the writing style as poetic and well-crafted. The story is described as entertaining and universal, with absurdist moments that keep readers hooked. Readers appreciate the author's literary talent and ability to explore the psyche of cyclists through his thoughts. Overall, the book captures the subject matter beautifully.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable to read. They describe it as a classic that cyclists should read. The writing style is described as flowing and the author's writing style is appreciated. Overall, readers find the book insightful and memorable.
"...sport, and love the grace and suffering on two wheels, this is a must-read classic." Read more
"An utterly engrossing book, "The Rider" by Tim Krabbé is a first-person account of a competitor in a French amateur cycling race...." Read more
"...It was fun to read and brought back memories. Bicycle racing is extremely unpleasant...." Read more
"...A good book, but certainly not a great book. For overall cycling enjoyment I'd recommend James Starrs anthology on cycling The Noiseless Tenor...." Read more
Customers find the book insightful and engaging. They say it provides an interesting look into the psyche of bike riders, with subtle put-downs and musings on life. The narrative is written in a unique stream-of-consciousness style that is compelling and much more than described. Readers mention it's suitable reading for any sport competitor and a great meditative study.
"...Full of subtle put-downs and wisps of thoughts that flit through one's mind as you're on the bike, from the very first sentence...." Read more
"...cuts through all the crap and give you one thing, the inner thoughts of a racing cyclist...." Read more
"...Is written in a unique, stream-of-consciousness narrative - not Faulkner-esque and difficult to follow - but rather simple, concise and every word..." Read more
"...than just this one ride, the "Tour de Mont Aigoual", it is well intermixed with moments from Karbble's sport riding and pre-riding history, in a..." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's writing quality. They find it engaging and well-written, with a poetic style that is insightful and humorous. The author uses cyclists' language and provides witty insights into the mindset of cyclists.
"...Full of subtle put-downs and wisps of thoughts that flit through one's mind as you're on the bike, from the very first sentence...." Read more
"...clear that he rides for the love of cycling, but his writing reveals the mental calculations, often not very flattering, that go through the mind of..." Read more
"...So many great one-liners and spot-on descriptions of an athlete's mind. Reads more like a psychological thriller than non-fiction novel...." Read more
"...This book conveys the calculations , the ebb and flow, and the drama of a race from preparation to the finish line...." Read more
Customers find the story engaging and entertaining. They appreciate the absurdist moments and universality of the narrative. The brevity of the story keeps readers hooked and makes them want to get on their bikes and race. Readers love the quirky author's meditations and identification with cycling lore.
"...These include some wonderful absurdist episodes, including a brief "Little ABC of Road Racing" where he fantasizes about riding with Merckx and..." Read more
"...He's strategic in his musings, bringing up competitors' histories and figuring out his split second alliances and next steps...." Read more
"...Extremely well-written, thoughtful and even funny at times, it perfectly expresses the mental challenges and games that go through your head during..." Read more
"...A rare opportunity at a glimpse into the mysterious, abysmally complex and brilliantly beautiful human psyche as it is teased into the open for the..." Read more
Customers enjoy the author's writing style. They find the book engaging and well-written, describing the thoughts of the rider as intelligent, funny, tough, and visceral. The author's racing experience is evident, making the book relatable and encouraging for cyclists.
"...First the good: the author takes the reader through the thought process of a long race. This includes the good and the bad...." Read more
"...The protagonist is a racer, engaged in a race, with flashbacks to other points in his racing career, and commentary on road race culture...." Read more
"...Its first-person voice is that of a top-shelf novelist in complete command of his art, exploiting a deep and complete knowledge of his subject that..." Read more
"...Almost stream-of-conscious. Very obvious that the author raced himself, as I found myself thinking the EXACT SAME THINGS When I raced...." Read more
Customers find the visual style of the book matches the subject matter. It beautifully captures cycling, the human psyche, and courage. The author uses interesting images to describe the agonies of bike racing, and accurately depicts cyclists.
"...The writing is concise and beautiful, capturing the true essence of our sport...." Read more
"...The author has brilliantly portrayed a concentrated moment. This is a world of intense focus and narrow but exhilarating boundaries." Read more
"...Krabbe's style is typically stark, and effective. It would be easy to parody...." Read more
"...The style is smooth and elegant, which is quite a feat for a work originally published in Dutch...." Read more
Customers find the narrative style engaging. They say it details the race from start to finish with plenty of detail. The book discusses race strategy and mental aspects, with flashbacks to past races. Readers appreciate the first-person narration that puts them in the action and the mind of the rider during the course of one race. The author has a true love for the race and captures both the nuances of in-race strategy and larger lessons and musings.
"...book I've ever seen which truly discusses race strategy and mental aspects of a race...." Read more
"...It takes place in an earlier era and well below the pro peloton but has the drama that any competitive athlete can identify with...." Read more
"...(fact, fiction, or somewhere in between) is told as the narrative of a race from start to finish, with lots of detail...." Read more
"...mental blankness of physical exertion, to the mini-challenges one sets oneself to stay motivated, to the combination of bravura and self-doubt that..." Read more
Customers find the book relatable and capturing the emotions of bicycle racing. They describe it as visceral, intense, and realistic. Readers say the book perfectly captures the pain and suffering that make bicycle road racing so enjoyable.
"...by kilometer, the author describes, economically, but with plausible feeling, the range of emotions he goes through...." Read more
"...spent a lot of time in the saddle, this book will ring true and resonate with you. I've heard it said that 'cycling is boring only if you are.'..." Read more
"...Body and mind, agony and elation, resignation and purposefulness, lunacy and logic all interchanging and intertwining, amplified by the bicycle and..." Read more
"...it really describes some of the thoughts that both pros and recreational cyclists feel, suffer, and enjoy while riding...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2019If cyclists had a Bible/Koran/Gita...this would be THE book. I find myself reading it at the start of every cycling season, and gifting it to other friends who I believe to be "riders", not mere cyclists. The writing is concise and beautiful, capturing the true essence of our sport. Full of subtle put-downs and wisps of thoughts that flit through one's mind as you're on the bike, from the very first sentence. Perhaps my favorite, in describing one of his cycling rivals:
"Pulling the pace line wasn't his favorite pastime, and he couldn't climb...his specialty was the sprint for sixth place; in that he was truly invincible."
As others have noted, the story takes place over the course of one local club race, but Krabbe artfully weaves cycling history and stream of consciousness notes from the ride itself into the story. For those who love the sport, and love the grace and suffering on two wheels, this is a must-read classic.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2004An utterly engrossing book, "The Rider" by Tim Krabbé is a first-person account of a competitor in a French amateur cycling race. Kilometer by kilometer, the author describes, economically, but with plausible feeling, the range of emotions he goes through. It is clear that he rides for the love of cycling, but his writing reveals the mental calculations, often not very flattering, that go through the mind of a rider. A chess player, he is out on the road playing a form of chess with his opponents, considering their weaknesses, weighing their histories, examining his own position on the board, so to speak.
In this short book about a 150 km long race, Tim Krabbé also travels back in his mind, recalling legends of bike racing as well as his own dreams of sporting success in Holland. These include some wonderful absurdist episodes, including a brief "Little ABC of Road Racing" where he fantasizes about riding with Merckx and Anquetil and the other greats in a series of bizarre circumstances. And all through this one is conscious of the race going on, the change of scenery and weather and how the cyclist must constantly monitor his situation-now trying to make up for his downhill lack of skills, now attacking as the others weaken, now preparing for a sprint. One is struck by the fundamental cruelty of the sport, how one must endure pain and inflict it as well.
Anyone who has ridden fairly seriously will love this book, as will those who admire strong, clean writing. The author has brilliantly portrayed a concentrated moment. This is a world of intense focus and narrow but exhilarating boundaries.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2014Just finished this book. I started racing in the era described in the book. Toe clips, no indexed shifting, no power bars or energy drinks. Little sandwiches, pieces of fruit etc in your jersey pockets, and diluted de-carbonated Coke in your water bottle. Worrying about "hitting your shift" clean and sprinting in a 15. It certainly captured the feeling of racing very well in that era even if the translation was a little weird at times.
That said, I can't really visualize great champions like Roger De Vlaeminck, Sean Kelly, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, or Jacques Anquetil overthinking and waxing philosophical during or after a race. That seems more the realm of the more educated, financially comfortable, and intellectual bike nut like myself. Types that can become very good racing cyclists, but rarely dominate the sport like the real champions.
It was fun to read and brought back memories. Bicycle racing is extremely unpleasant. Body screaming for mercy and your brain trying to push harder. 30mph elbow to elbow with virtually nothing between yourself and the road. Finishing an event totally wasted, throwing up, having to be lifted off your bike, blacking out, and 10 minutes later thinking "I could have gone a little harder."
You definitely have to be crazy to do it.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2024This story is not about the technological aspects of cycling or the glamor or its history, it's about the essence. It's about why we ride why we suffer. Why we enjoy it. Why we keep doing it, despite the pain. It's the best.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2011I read a lot of cycling books, and most of the time I'm pretty disappointed by them. They are generally one or more of the following: poorly written, boring, egotistical, or in the doping era gossipy or overly speculative. However this book cuts through all the crap and give you one thing, the inner thoughts of a racing cyclist. If you race, or have even just spent a lot of time in the saddle, this book will ring true and resonate with you. I've heard it said that 'cycling is boring only if you are.' Kind of a harsh point, but I take it to mean that a thinking person who rides has all sorts of entertaining thoughts running through their head when they get out on the road. Whereas others might just be... bored. Well Krabbe's Rider is the type of cyclist who thinks. And if you do too, you'll likely get a kick out of his free flowing thoughts. Most are related to the race at hand, other though are just tidbits of cycling insight. Some thoughts are even a little strange, but hey, who hasn't had a weird thought from time to time while riding? I rode across America a few years ago and one day I got the song 'Ten Little Indians' stuck in my head for like half of Kansas. Damn near drove me nuts... but my point is when your riding all day, you think of all sorts of stuff. But don't be misled, the vast majority of this book is about a bike race, a real race at that. I've learned things from this book that I took away and still value today. An example of which is the line: "cycling is about licking your opponent's plate clean before you start your own meal." If you race, you no doubt will understand the brutal truth there.
Top reviews from other countries
- LazReviewed in Canada on February 20, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars classic read
legendary book cited by pros
- SteelyReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for cyclists
Anybody who's ever been on a long ride or raced will love this book. Everybody else will be baffled.
-
SantiagoReviewed in Spain on May 15, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Estupenda crónica ciclista
Un libro que todo amante del ciclismo debería leer.
- Nicole ShelleyReviewed in Italy on March 28, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars great book
great book, a must read even for a beginner cyclist like myself. Amazon shipping ACE
- jindysubhubReviewed in Australia on May 9, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Cyclist must read
All time classic, written in a fantastic style. It describes the emotions of the cyclists in perfect detail without using a word too many.