Book Review by Tom Baker

This book was released in 2008 and fits neatly into the category of ‘rider turned writer’ seeking to capitalize on the newfound popularity of professional cycling in the US.  This new genre of books, wherein an English speaking rider, writing in first person, provides details of his experiences as a professional cyclist includes titles like Rough Ride by Paul Kimmage and Inside the Postal Bus by Michael Barry.  This book covers the territory a little differently than the other books, however.

Of course what’s remarkable about Joe Parkin’s story is that he did what few other Americans dared do.  He decided that the American racing scene was not the real deal and went to Europe and made it as a pro.  This afforded him not only the opportunity to experience and now write about his adventure, but also enjoy permanent bragging rights on this point.

The catch is, that the story he relates is now going on twenty years old.  It’s easier for those who were racing two decades ago and followed the European racing scene to recall the names of the players at that time and better relate to the story.  It is rather amazing that he could recall in such detail the events of so long ago.  Obviously, the pain left some deep impressions.  For most readers, who have entered the cycling world as a result of OLN/Vs television coverage of the Tour in recent years, the names of many of the riders and personalities will have no special significance. 

To be sure, this story is quite different than the coverage of the stars in the big races as shown on television and in all the race coverage magazines.  There is no end to the problems, disappointments, cheating, bribes, pain and suffering in the life of a rider trying to survive on a pittance of a salary and no real race winnings.  This continuous stream of unhappy events actually makes the book more readable, for one is compelled to continue on hoping that things will eventually work out and success is just around the next corner.

If you want to read the usual stories about the successes of the stars, then this is not for you.  If you want to read about the real life, unglamorous story of a working class pro cyclist, then this fills a void in cycling literature.  The writing style is quite good and flows along nicely from one mishap to the next.  It certainly helps to have some racing experience when reading this book as most racers typically have a negative view of most everything around them and without that understanding, the reader would probably wonder why he describes things as he does.

This book wouldn’t be much help for a young cyclist looking for some insight into the world of European professional cycling for two reasons.  First, the story is some twenty years old and things have changed in many ways.  Second, the reader won’t find many hints or tips on what one would specifically need to do to become an European professional.  If this book had more of an analysis of the psychology and cultural dynamics surrounding the events it would be a much more helpful book for someone looking to try racing in Europe themselves.  An analysis similar to the insightful examination of the life of a bicycle messenger and his environment, as found in The Immortal Class: Bike Messengers and the Cult of Human Power, wherein the author uses situations and events to expound on the underlying motivations and cultural reasons for people’s behavior and attitudes towards bike riders, would be a real gift to the reader.

This is simply a running account from a racer’s perspective of memorable events in a career of misfortune.  The tone and descriptions are to be expected from a racing cyclist and maybe it would be good for many who have come to cycling via television coverage and think that racers and racing are the highest and most important part of cycling to read this book and get a little dose of reality.  The picture is painted of someone who simply loves racing and will suffer in a foreign land for the privilege of doing so.  One may wonder, though, where the love is, as the satisfaction of accomplishment is rarely described.

Perhaps this book lands somewhere between the ugly bitterness of Rough Ride, and the more modern, upbeat Inside the Postal Bus or even Tales from the Toolbox: Inside a Pro Cycling Team.  Since so few Americans have accomplished what Joe Parkin has, this book can stand on its own as an original account of European bike racing, presented from a racing cyclist’s perspective.      

This book is available from VeloPress for $21.95 at http://velopress.com/cycling_history.php?id=261

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