Dans Mon Catalogue

English language

Published Jan. 5, 2012 by Workman Pub..

(1 review)

Just Ride is a revelation. Forget the ultralight, uncomfortable bikes, flashy jerseys, clunky shoes that clip onto tiny pedals, the grinding out of endless miles. Instead, ride like you did when you were a kid—just get on your bike and discover the pure joy of riding it.

A reformed racer who’s commuted by bike every day since 1980, whose writings and opinions appear in major bicycling and outdoor magazines, and whose company, Rivendell Bicycle Works, makes bikes for riders ready to opt out of a culture overrun by racing, Grant Petersen shares a lifetime of unexpected facts, controversial opinions, expert techniques, and his own maverick philosophy.

In 87 short, two-to-three page chapters, it covers:

Riding: Count Days, Not Miles; Corner Like Jackie Robinson; Steer with Your Hips, Shift with Your Legs

Suiting Up: The Shoes Ruse; Ponchos—the Ultimate Unracer’s Garment

Safety: #1 Rule—Be Seen; Helmets Aren’t All They’re Cracked Up …

Just Ride is a revelation. Forget the ultralight, uncomfortable bikes, flashy jerseys, clunky shoes that clip onto tiny pedals, the grinding out of endless miles. Instead, ride like you did when you were a kid—just get on your bike and discover the pure joy of riding it.

A reformed racer who’s commuted by bike every day since 1980, whose writings and opinions appear in major bicycling and outdoor magazines, and whose company, Rivendell Bicycle Works, makes bikes for riders ready to opt out of a culture overrun by racing, Grant Petersen shares a lifetime of unexpected facts, controversial opinions, expert techniques, and his own maverick philosophy.

In 87 short, two-to-three page chapters, it covers:

Riding: Count Days, Not Miles; Corner Like Jackie Robinson; Steer with Your Hips, Shift with Your Legs

Suiting Up: The Shoes Ruse; Ponchos—the Ultimate Unracer’s Garment

Safety: #1 Rule—Be Seen; Helmets Aren’t All They’re Cracked Up to Be

Health and Fitness: Why Riding Is Lousy All-Around Exercise; Saddles Don’t Cause Impotence; Drink When You’re Thirsty—Not Before

Also includes chapters on Accessories, Upkeep, and Technicalities, and a final chapter titled “Velosophy” that includes the essential, memorable thought: Your Bike Is a Toy—Have Fun with It.

3 editions

Ride Theory reviewed Just ride by Grant Petersen

Sage advice, some of which you won't agree with.

5 stars

This is a well-considered manifesto about the absurdity of allowing bike racing culture to dominate the thinking of the everyday bike rider. I can see how this little book would upset a lot of the high priests and acolytes of the bicycle world, but for the rest of us, it's a good, common-sense guide. Ride in everyday clothes, carbon fiber works for racers but can fail spectacularly and suddenly for everyone else, exercise doesn't help you lose weight, use steady lights instead of blinkers, baskets are a good thing, etc. You won't necessarily agree with everything Petersen says, and that's fine. Take what works for you.

Subjects

Bicycles
Cycling
Handbooks, manuals