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The Rider Paperback – June 12, 2003

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,445 ratings

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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.

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Editorial Reviews

From The New Yorker

At the start of this chronicle of a single bike race, the author glances up from his gear to assess the crowd of spectators. "Non-racers," he writes. "The emptiness of those lives shocks me." In immediate, living prose, Krabbé, a novelist as well as a cyclist, takes us with him, inch by inch, as he rides the hundred-and-thirty-seven-kilometre Tour de Mont Aigoual, a course through the mountains that is better known as one of the cruellest stages of the Tour de France. He imagines an official collecting his clothes "after I've died in the race" recalls a champion cyclist who suffocated to death while climbing one particularly nasty hill; and insists that "being a good loser is a despicable evasion." Along the way, he lays bare the athlete's peculiar mixture of arrogance and terror, viciousness and camaraderie, and the result is one of the more convincing love stories of recent memory.
Copyright © 2005
The New Yorker

Review

'...there's something about Krabbe's spare writing style that lulls even uninitiated readers into a sort of trance--presumably not unlike that of the long-distance racer moving ever closer to the finishing line.'

'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.'

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
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,445 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,445 global ratings

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Customers 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

94 customers mention "Readability"94 positive0 negative

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

32 customers mention "Insight"32 positive0 negative

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

31 customers mention "Writing quality"26 positive5 negative

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

25 customers mention "Story quality"25 positive0 negative

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

15 customers mention "Author quality"15 positive0 negative

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

14 customers mention "Visual style"14 positive0 negative

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

13 customers mention "Narrative style"13 positive0 negative

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

9 customers mention "Emotion level"9 positive0 negative

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

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2019
    If 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.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2004
    An 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.
    48 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2014
    Just 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.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2024
    This 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, 2011
    I 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.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Laz
    5.0 out of 5 stars classic read
    Reviewed in Canada on February 20, 2023
    legendary book cited by pros
  • Steely
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for cyclists
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2024
    Anybody who's ever been on a long ride or raced will love this book. Everybody else will be baffled.
  • Santiago
    5.0 out of 5 stars Estupenda crónica ciclista
    Reviewed in Spain on May 15, 2024
    Un libro que todo amante del ciclismo debería leer.
  • Nicole Shelley
    5.0 out of 5 stars great book
    Reviewed in Italy on March 28, 2022
    great book, a must read even for a beginner cyclist like myself. Amazon shipping ACE
  • jindysubhub
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cyclist must read
    Reviewed in Australia on May 9, 2021
    All time classic, written in a fantastic style. It describes the emotions of the cyclists in perfect detail without using a word too many.