Allez! Allez! Allez! Our Top 5 Tour de France books

The pièce de résistance of the cycling calendar begins this Saturday with the Grand Départ of the 103rd Tour de France. The first stage begins at Mont-Saint-Michel. Over the three weeks, the cyclists will cover 3,519 kilometres before crossing the Champs-Elysées finish line. Throughout the 21 stages they will only have two rest days.

If you are already panicking about how you will fill those two TDF free days, here are our five favourite Tour de France books.

Tour De France Legendary Climbs

This year’s TDF has nine mountain stages including four summit finishes one of which is the famous Mont Ventoux. If you love the uphill struggle this book is both a history book and tour guide of the most legendary climbs in the Alps, the Pyrenees and rest of France.

Designed with Google Earth so there are detailed ariel views. As well as amazing photography of the landscape and recent races there are some vintage images accompanying the history of the mountain climbs that remind us of the rich history involved in this sporting event.

Tour De France Legendary Climbs £25.00

The Tour de France Miscellany

This is a great one to keep by your side and dip in and out of. Full of stats, lists, random facts, and quotes from TDF history including this gem from five-time TDF winner Jacques Anquetil (1934-1987): “Here’s the routine I’d advise for the evening before a race: a pheasant with chestnuts, a bottle of champagne and a woman.”

The Tour de France Miscellany £9.99

The End of the Road

Alasdair Fotheringham tells the story of the Festina affair that tainted the 1998 Tour. Not that cycling is a stranger to doping scandals but following the Festina team’s soigneur Willy Voet’s arrest at the Belgian boarder with a car full of drugs, the sport’s biggest mass doping controversy ensued. This is the story behind the arrests, the raids and what ended up being one of the best races in cycling history.

The End of the Road £18.99

The Invisible Mile

This is the tale of a group of group of cyclists from Australia and New Zealand who were the first to take on the Europeans and become the first English speaking team to attempt the Tour de France. In a time still raw from World War I, the fictional narrator takes us through the trials, injuries, and tales of sex and drugs that contribute to this story of the underdogs who forever made their mark on cycling.

The Invisible Mile £12.99

Le Tour Race Log

Whether you are going to watch the tour in person or watch it on television, this is great for recording every moment. This log has wonderful illustrations, race information and a lexicon of cycling terms. There is space for you to write down your favourite riders and record information and results for each stage.

Le Tour Race Log £12.95

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *