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The Tour de France Companion: A Nuts, Bolts & Spokes Guide to the Greatest Race in the World Paperback – May 1, 2004

by Bob Roll (Author), Dan Koeppel (Foreword)

16 customer reviews

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Tour De France Companion 2005
(7)

We all know about Lance Armstrong, who this summer made history by being the first rider ever to win a sixth Tour de France. But what about the peloton and the role it plays in supporting the leader? What about the difference between a stage win and a time trial? What about the Tour's curiously chivalric code of behavior? What about the caravan?

With the popularity of Armstrong and the Tour outstripping our knowledge of bicycle racing, here is The Tour de France Companion, a fully illustrated primer that explains the strategies, ground rules, history, personalities, techniques, and technology behind one of the world's most spectacular and brutal sporting events. It's all clear: How teams work together. How their bikes are different from our bikes. What it takes to be a racer--the rare combination of slow- and fast-twitch muscles, a huge cardiovascular system, and an extraordinary toughness that allows you to endure more pain than your rivals. The jerseys: yellow, green, polka-dot, white, and the "combativity prize" to the rider who tries the hardest (look for a red race number). The complicated timing structure, including why it's so difficult to finish a tour--every rider must finish within ten percent or so of the fastest guy every single day, or head for home. Even what happens when the leader needs to make a rest stop--no, the other contenders don't zoom off into the sunset. Includes a glossary, stats, historic timeline, 2004 tour map, and more.

The Tour de France Companion: A Nuts, Bolts & Spokes Guide to the Greatest Race in the World

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Product Details

Series: Tour de France Companion
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company; Victory edition (May 1, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0761135200
ISBN-13: 978-0761135203
Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.5 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,002,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1168 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Cycling
- #5704 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous
- #15031 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation

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Customer Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars

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2 star		12%
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Top Customer Reviews

A kinder, gentler Bob Roll explains the Tour

By gwc on July 13, 2004

Format: Paperback

"The Tour de France Companion" is a concise and well written introduction to the Tour. As other reviewers have noted, Bob Roll appears to have been working with a strong editor and/or sedatives, and the manic Bobke style only occasionally appears (it's most evident in his comments about Jan Ullrich).

As a long-time cycling fan I can't say that I learned anything new about the organization or strategy of the Tour, but there are plenty of historical anecdotes to keep the reading interesting. There are also a few gems, like the 1994 photo of youngsters Armstrong, Pantani, and Virenque climbing together. Ten years and three tumultuous careers later, one wonders what they were thinking then. One might also wonder what Virenque was thinking with that haircut.

And, yes, the book is Lance-centric. Sort of like the last five Tours.

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Excellent and not overdone

By A Customer on July 4, 2004

Format: Paperback

Bob Roll is an American who understands not only the Tour, but also how to entice an American to understand the Tour. I have my share of elite cycling experience myself, and one thing that I have noticed is that Americans in elite cycling try to act "cool" whenever someone mentions the Tour and Lance in the same sentence. In other words, "oh, this book is all about Armstrong, this documentary is Lance-centric, the only thing Americans know about the Tour is Lance, and I'm so cool because I don't talk about Lance at all, bla bla bla." Believe me when I tell you, many Americans in elite cycling don't *want* Americans to understand better, because in their transparent insecurity, they enjoy the fact that they know more than the general population. Not so with Bob Roll, who has written a book that is the right amount of Armstrong with the right amount of inside tangential knowledge to entice a variety of readers. Is it a book for the world class touring elite cyclist? Uh, no. It wasn't meant to be. But it fits everyone else.

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Readable and up-to-date

By A Customer on May 15, 2004

Format: Paperback

I picked this book up on a whim, hesitating slightly as "Bobke" has a writing style that can veer wildly from sublime to psychedelic. In this companion book to the upcoming TDF, his writing style is very well disciplined, and the book is extremely readable. The book is designed to prep you for the upcoming event. The 2003 TDF is the launch point for this book, but the history of the tour suffuses the pages, as well. Sidebars are amusing and interesting, the data at the back is nice to have. Overall, a pleasant surprise, and a useful book if you want to get jazzed for the 2004 TDF.

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Great book!

By MCB on May 24, 2004

Format: Paperback

I love cycling but I did not know alot about the TDF when it came to rules, history, etc. This book explains almost everything in terms everyone can understand. If you are a member of the peleton already this book may be too basic for you but for the rest of us it is a superb read!

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Rolling with Roll

By Enrique Torres VINE VOICE on February 23, 2005

Format: Paperback

Whether you are new to cycling or a veteran of the road, there is something for everyone here to digest. Bob Roll, the gap-toothed comedic sidekick to the more serious Phil Ligget on the outstanding OLN broadcast that cyclists look forward to every July is almost as entertaining in print as he is on television. This companion to the Tour de France can be enjoyed anytime of the year (for that spring motivation?)but obviously is best for TDF viewing. The companion was made specifically for the 2004 edition of cyclings greatest event but is full of so much history and tid bits of information that it can digested anytime. For the novice it is indespensible because it explains all the nuances that might otherwise go unnoticed. Any cyclist knows how annoying it can be to try and explain the peleton and other strategies during the race. We've all heard the words, " I don't know why he just doesn't go ahead and pass the other rider." The strategies are all explained and put in historical context, complete with humorous anecdotes and little known facts. The book is dedicated to one of the recent heroes but tragic figures of cycling, Marco Pantini, the diminutive giant who demonstrated to the world that he was the premier lithe and sinewy climber affectionally known as "The Pirate." The book hails the exploits of all the great riders of the past and present, the heartbreak and the heartbreakers, the riding asssassins and their victims. This is the everymans companion to one of the worlds greatest events and spectacles. The now defunct champion U.S Postal Team complete roster reflects the international nature of this sport and is featured here.Read more ›

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Perfect Intro to the Tour

By Dave Shields on December 28, 2004

Format: Paperback

First-time viewers are often both suprised and confused by the complexity of the Tour de France. If you've become interested in the world's most difficult endurance event then this book is the perfect place to satisfy your curiosity. TDF Companion is the best introduction to cycling that I've ever come across. Readers will quickly understand why the Tour de France inspires such rabid fans. Long-time cycling afficionados will love the book for the jaw-dropping facts sprinkled throughout, along with the incredible insight of a man who has run this gauntlet several times.

Be forewarned: once you understand cycling you are likely to become addicted.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

A fantastic, enjoyable and informative read

A fantastic, enjoyable and informative read. Easy to follow and understand.
...A recommended and welcome addition to a library of any Tour de France and/or cycling fan!

Published 7 months ago by M. Moll

Great transaction.

Item as described on time.

Published 19 months ago by April Foster

very informative

Geared toward the new American bike racing fan, this book has a lot of info about the history and traditions of the Tour de France. Great book!

Published on July 29, 2013 by NSMY

Forgettable

As so many TdF books have been, I "lost" this one out of my collection pretty quickly. I know there won't be any more TdF books with my name on them again.

Published on February 17, 2013 by markb

Compact, Informative, Eyeopener

Written before the 2004 Tour history making 6 Tour wins, that has to be taken into consideration when reading. Read more

Published on August 5, 2005 by V. Hartung

Great book for those new to the Tour

I enjoyed this book because it explained the Dour de France in a way most people could understand. I found the break from "Bobke" style a welcome change! Read more

Published on February 17, 2005 by M. Ament

BOB IS THE MAN

(...) this is an arriving sport on the american scene and GOOD FOR BOB to stick some material out there that some people can digest. Read more

Published on July 1, 2004 by John D MacDonald

A Bit Underwhelming

I loved Bob Roll's first efforts. However, to really get an emotional feeling for what the tour is like, I suggest reading (before Saturday!) Dave Shield's "The Race. Read more

Published on July 1, 2004 by Mr. Robert W. Hess

Just not right

Bob Roll's "The Tour de France Companion" is terribly disappointing. The number of glaring mistakes and misidentified photos is appaling. Read more

Published on June 23, 2004