Saturday, November 14, 2015

Book Review: Shoulder to Shoulder - Bicycle Racing in the Age of Anquetil


Imagine for a moment that you had a friend, a guy really into cycling, especially the "Golden Age of Cycling" that we hear so much about.

This guy, Brett, invites you over to his house to look at some photos he has.

These are not just any photos and Brett's not just any cycling fan. This is a guy who has begged, borrowed or stolen(?) all kinds of cycling memorabilia and he wants to share it with you.

With a copy of Shoulder to Shoulder in your lap it's almost like you've been invited to his house to see his photos without ever leaving your comfy couch and your Campari & soda.

106 pages of black & white photos of the greats of cycling are yours to enjoy.

My two favorites are from page 76 - Jacques Anquetil 1962 Tour de France A portrait of the champion. (above)

And page 105 - Eddy Merckx and Jacques Anquetil 1969 Criterium de Caen A passing of the torch. (below)


Most of these rare photos capture the raw, youthful humanity of these legends of cycling, something that's often lost these days.

My only complaint is the notes in the back about each photo. It would be fine if Brett were there with you, sharing a Campari & soda and reciting what these notes say, but instead you have to flip back and forth from photo to detailed note/caption.

https://www.velopress.com/books/shoulder-to-shoulder/

Note: a copy of this book was provided by the publisher velopress

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