The white-knuckle pace of a bicycle race drives this novel about a young American's opportunity to compete in the Tour de France. Complex relationships with teammates, personal and professional obstacles, and a terrible disaster cause the young cyclist to redefine his limits. An insider's perspective on the world of professional bicycle racing reveals that the required tactics and skills create a culture in which pain is the ultimate currency and endurance is the most powerful force. The intense pressure the competitors experience offers an instructive look at personal formation beyond the sports world.
The Race: A Novel of Grit, Tactics, and the Tour de France
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A white-knuckle ride ending in triumph, [it] reads like a murder-mystery. Warning: You won't be able to put it down." -- Seattle Magazine
"Good crisp writing. The bike races are breathtaking, and the plot zips along. A hard book to put down." -- Writer's Digest Book Awards
"A white-knuckle ride ending in triumph, [it] reads like a murder-mystery. Warning: You won't be able to put it down." -- Seattle Magazine
"Good crisp writing. The bike races are breathtaking, and the plot zips along. A hard book to put down." -- Writer's Digest Book Awards
... riveting action from the first sentence. You won't need any cycling knowledge... tough to put down. -- SWEAT Magazine, March 2004
Best New Voice in Fiction -- 2005 Benjamin Franklin Award Winner
I have a big problem with this book. It's impossible to put down. Dave Shields owes me a night's sleep. -- Terry Youmans, American Cycling
Man, what a sweet novel! -- Steve Medcroft, Bike.com
The author is a master of description. We rated this gripping book five hearts. -- Heartland Reviews, April 2004
This book was all too real. I feel like I just completed another Tour de France! --Frankie Andreu, 2 time Olympian and 9 time Tour de France rider
... riveting action from the first sentence. You won't need any cycling knowledge... tough to put down. -- SWEAT Magazine, March 2004
Best New Voice in Fiction -- 2005 Benjamin Franklin Award Winner
I have a big problem with this book. It's impossible to put down. Dave Shields owes me a night's sleep. -- Terry Youmans, American Cycling
Man, what a sweet novel! -- Steve Medcroft, Bike.com
The author is a master of description. We rated this gripping book five hearts. -- Heartland Reviews, April 2004
This book was all too real. I feel like I just completed another Tour de France! -- Frankie Andreu, 2 time Olympian and 9 time Tour de France rider
"Good crisp writing. The bike races are breathtaking, and the plot zips along. A hard book to put down." -- Writer's Digest Book Awards
"A white-knuckle ride ending in triumph, [it] reads like a murder-mystery. Warning: You won't be able to put it down." -- Seattle Magazine
"Good crisp writing. The bike races are breathtaking, and the plot zips along. A hard book to put down." -- Writer's Digest Book Awards
... riveting action from the first sentence. You won't need any cycling knowledge... tough to put down. -- SWEAT Magazine, March 2004
Best New Voice in Fiction -- 2005 Benjamin Franklin Award Winner
I have a big problem with this book. It's impossible to put down. Dave Shields owes me a night's sleep. -- Terry Youmans, American Cycling
Man, what a sweet novel! -- Steve Medcroft, Bike.com
The author is a master of description. We rated this gripping book five hearts. -- Heartland Reviews, April 2004
This book was all too real. I feel like I just completed another Tour de France! --Frankie Andreu, 2 time Olympian and 9 time Tour de France rider
... riveting action from the first sentence. You won't need any cycling knowledge... tough to put down. -- SWEAT Magazine, March 2004
Best New Voice in Fiction -- 2005 Benjamin Franklin Award Winner
I have a big problem with this book. It's impossible to put down. Dave Shields owes me a night's sleep. -- Terry Youmans, American Cycling
Man, what a sweet novel! -- Steve Medcroft, Bike.com
The author is a master of description. We rated this gripping book five hearts. -- Heartland Reviews, April 2004
This book was all too real. I feel like I just completed another Tour de France! -- Frankie Andreu, 2 time Olympian and 9 time Tour de France rider
About the Author
Dave Shields is the author of The Pendulum's Path. He has completed and won multiple long distance races. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just in time for your vacation.......,
By
This review is from: The Race: A Novel of Grit, Tactics, and the Tour de France (Paperback)
Really excellent! If you like bicycle racing (or don't understand bicycle racing and Lance Armstrong's efforts for a sixth Tour de France win have you interested) I think you'll find this book as money well spent. You may lose some sleep, not get the lawn mowed or the car washed...but you will be glad you took the time to read this insightful story about a young man who makes it all the way from a small town in Utah to the Tour de France. The chapters describing the pain, effort and resolve neccessary to win a mountian stage in the Tour are worth the price of admission. If you liked The Yellow Jersey by Hurne you'll enjoy this one as well.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow! Great story and detail and with a message!,
This review is from: The Race: A Novel of Grit, Tactics, and the Tour de France (Paperback)
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Race". Like most who have commented, once I started reading it I couldn't put it down - had to read on to see what happened next. Mr. Shields has done a good job writing a fictional novel that contains all the "stuff" that you can guess that happens within a pro cycling team, with an international cast and varying degrees of ego. The characters, strategy, flashbacks to Ben's formative years create a good story with fast-paced action AND provide even non-cyclists with some motivation to never to give up. Cyclists and non-cyclists alike can enjoy this book. Bring on the sequel!
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very well done!,
By MCB "mb1620" (NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Race: A Novel of Grit, Tactics, and the Tour de France (Paperback)
If you enjoy watching pro cycling on OLN then you will probably enjoy this book also.Very fast reading, not a long story but the author paints a great word picture of pro cycling. Of course there is a bit of romance, drama, conflict, etc but mostly you feel like you are the one attacking on the mountain. Fun book!!
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Ben Barnes adjusted his position on his Decathlon racing bicycle as he clung to the open window of the Team Banque Federale Peugeot station wagon. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
maillot jaune, trailing riders, directeur sportif, chase group, jersey pocket, stage win, yellow jersey, team car, final climb Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Banque Fédérale, Coach Bill, Monsieur Robidoux, Kyle Smith, Ben Barnes, Boulder Mountain, Tour de France, General Classification, Gunter von Reinholdt, Thierry Depardieu, Salt Lake City, Col de la Croix de Fer, Nicolas Depardieu, Central Massif, Col de la Madeleine, Uncle Pierre, Would Pierre New!
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Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Ben Barnes adjusted his position on his Decathlon racing bicycle as he clung to the open window of the Team Banque Federale Peugeot station wagon. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
maillot jaune, trailing riders, directeur sportif, chase group, jersey pocket, stage win, yellow jersey, team car, final climb Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Banque Fédérale, Coach Bill, Monsieur Robidoux, Kyle Smith, Ben Barnes, Boulder Mountain, Tour de France, General Classification, Gunter von Reinholdt, Thierry Depardieu, Salt Lake City, Col de la Croix de Fer, Nicolas Depardieu, Central Massif, Col de la Madeleine, Uncle Pierre, Would Pierre New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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