10 great books about cycling

5. "The Hungry Cyclist: Pedalling the Americas in Search of the Perfect Meal," by Tom Kevill-Davies. British journalist Tom Kevill-Davies rides from New York to Brazil, searching for memorable food as he goes.

6. "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life," by Lance Armstrong. American cycling great Lance Armstrong's candor and personal style place this book several slots above the average sports memoir. While the 2001 publication date means that Armstrong's life has changed a good deal again in the interim (he relates much about his relationship with Kristin, still his wife at the time), his lively writing about both cycling and his personal challenges still make an excellent read.

7. "Miles from Nowhere: A Round the World Bicycle Adventure," by Barbara Savage. This delightful account of the two-year, 25-country, round-the-world bicycle trip of Barbara and Larry Savage is rendered particularly poignant by the ironic knowledge that Savage was killed in a traffic accident on her bike shortly after returning home to California.

8. "The Bicycle," by Pryor Dodge. If you want to revel in the sheer beauty of the bicycle, this is your book. Pryor Dodge has assembled a coffee-table book that not only serves as an illustrated history of the bicycle, but also encourages readers to treat the bike as a work of art.

9. "Round Ireland in Low Gear," by Eric Newby. Why would anyone tour Ireland by bike – in the winter? Travel writer Eric Newby and his wife, Wanda, do and his book about their trip offers an engaging, nuanced portrait of the Emerald Isle.

10. "Off to the Races: 25 Years of Cycling Journalism," by Samuel Abt. Veteran cycling journalist Samuel Abt has covered most of the great bike races and cycling stars of our age. This collection of his writing – plus photos – offers a fantastic glimpse into the world of professional cycling.

Marjorie Kehe is the Monitor's book editor.

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