Tour Fever: The Armchair Cyclist's Guide to the Tour de France [Paperback]

J. P. Partland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2006

Now every reader can understand the je ne sais quoi that has made the Tour de France a cultural phenomenon.

Even couch potatoes can become experts on the Tour de France with this comprehensive, user-friendly guide that includes the history, strategy, stages, scoring, and stars of this annual sporting event. Readers can get in the saddle and learn:

- The varied stages from snaky time trials to killer mountain stages
- Team strategies-and the role each team member plays
- How the Tour is scored
- What the Yellow, Green, White, and Polka-Dot jerseys represent
- The meaning of peloton, tifosi, "mountain goats,"
- hot spots," and flamme rouge
- The characteristics of a racer, whether a patron or domestique-and the real reasons racers shave their legs
- How riders eat, drink, change clothes, and heed the call of nature without getting off their bikes
- How to follow the Tour online, on TV, in the papers, and in person

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A superb companion to the world's greatest race, Tour Fever breaks down the race's history, terminology, and traditions in a smart yet easy-to-use guide that offers something to both the brand-new enthusiast and the experienced racer. If you're planning to tune into the tour's final days--and c'mon, dude, you should!--it's the perfect companion on the couch. I'm sharing mine with the guys in the office-not so they'll stop mocking me, but to show them that sports in July is more exciting than Astros at Padres." -- GQ.com

"Partland has once again taken his narrative style and wrapped it around a comprehensive detailing of all that make the Tour so attractive for those who understand it. " -- Pedal Pushers Online

About the Author

J.P. Partland has had Tour Fever since he was in the seventh grade. A journalist since 1991, he is the author of both Mountain Bike Madness and The World of BMX, and a regular contributor to Asphalt magazine. An avid racer, Partland medaled in the team pursuit at the US National Cycling Championships in 2002. He has also ridden The Irish Milk Ras, the de facto national tour of Ireland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade (May 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399532552
• ISBN-13: 978-0399532559
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,974,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars For Your Off Season Tour Fix, December 28, 2011

By 

granitejanet (Santa Monica, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tour Fever: The Armchair Cyclist's Guide to the Tour de France (Paperback)

For those of us who have real Tour Fever, July can't come soon enough. This marvelous book was published a few years ago, and reliving the excitement will make you feel better! An informative and entertaining read, Partland has provided just the thing to carry you over until the next Tour de France. Chapeau J.P.!