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Tim Krabbe
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The Rider Paperback – January 1, 2002

by Tim Krabbe (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,385 ratings
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THE RIDER describes one 150-kilometre race in just 150 pages. In the course of the narrative, we get to know the forceful, bumbling Lebusque, the aesthete Barthelemy, the young Turk Reilhan and the mysterious 'rider from Cycles Goff'. Krabbe battles with and against each of them in turn, failing on the descents, shining on the climbs, suffering on the (false) flats. The outcome of the race is, in fact, merely the last stanza of an exciting and too-brief paean to stamina, suffering and the redeeming power of humour. This is not a history of road racing, a hagiography of the European greats or even a factual account of his own amateur cycling career. Instead, Krabbe allows us to race with him, inside his skull as it were, during a mythical Tour de Mont Aigoual.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    160 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Bloomsbury Paperbacks
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2002
  5. Dimensions
    5.08 x 0.39 x 7.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780747559412
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0747559412
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0747559414
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Paperbacks (January 1, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780747559412
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0747559412
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.08 x 0.39 x 7.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,385 ratings

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Tim Krabbe

Tim Krabbe

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
1,385 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Leslie Reissner
5.0 out of 5 stars Go, Timmy, Go!
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2004
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An utterly engrossing book, "The Rider" by Tim Krabbé is a first-person account of a competitor in a French amateur cycling race. Kilometer by kilometer, the author describes, economically, but with plausible feeling, the range of emotions he goes through. It is clear that he rides for the love of cycling, but his writing reveals the mental calculations, often not very flattering, that go through the mind of a rider. A chess player, he is out on the road playing a form of chess with his opponents, considering their weaknesses, weighing their histories, examining his own position on the board, so to speak.
In this short book about a 150 km long race, Tim Krabbé also travels back in his mind, recalling legends of bike racing as well as his own dreams of sporting success in Holland. These include some wonderful absurdist episodes, including a brief "Little ABC of Road Racing" where he fantasizes about riding with Merckx and Anquetil and the other greats in a series of bizarre circumstances. And all through this one is conscious of the race going on, the change of scenery and weather and how the cyclist must constantly monitor his situation-now trying to make up for his downhill lack of skills, now attacking as the others weaken, now preparing for a sprint. One is struck by the fundamental cruelty of the sport, how one must endure pain and inflict it as well.
Anyone who has ridden fairly seriously will love this book, as will those who admire strong, clean writing. The author has brilliantly portrayed a concentrated moment. This is a world of intense focus and narrow but exhilarating boundaries.
48 people found this helpful
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Albany Dad
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant. Captures the essence of cycling!
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2019
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If cyclists had a Bible/Koran/Gita...this would be THE book. I find myself reading it at the start of every cycling season, and gifting it to other friends who I believe to be "riders", not mere cyclists. The writing is concise and beautiful, capturing the true essence of our sport. Full of subtle put-downs and wisps of thoughts that flit through one's mind as you're on the bike, from the very first sentence. Perhaps my favorite, in describing one of his cycling rivals:

"Pulling the pace line wasn't his favorite pastime, and he couldn't climb...his specialty was the sprint for sixth place; in that he was truly invincible."

As others have noted, the story takes place over the course of one local club race, but Krabbe artfully weaves cycling history and stream of consciousness notes from the ride itself into the story. For those who love the sport, and love the grace and suffering on two wheels, this is a must-read classic.
2 people found this helpful
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Terence Kennedy
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read For Old Racing Cyclists
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2014
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Just finished this book. I started racing in the era described in the book. Toe clips, no indexed shifting, no power bars or energy drinks. Little sandwiches, pieces of fruit etc in your jersey pockets, and diluted de-carbonated Coke in your water bottle. Worrying about "hitting your shift" clean and sprinting in a 15. It certainly captured the feeling of racing very well in that era even if the translation was a little weird at times.

That said, I can't really visualize great champions like Roger De Vlaeminck, Sean Kelly, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, or Jacques Anquetil overthinking and waxing philosophical during or after a race. That seems more the realm of the more educated, financially comfortable, and intellectual bike nut like myself. Types that can become very good racing cyclists, but rarely dominate the sport like the real champions.

It was fun to read and brought back memories. Bicycle racing is extremely unpleasant. Body screaming for mercy and your brain trying to push harder. 30mph elbow to elbow with virtually nothing between yourself and the road. Finishing an event totally wasted, throwing up, having to be lifted off your bike, blacking out, and 10 minutes later thinking "I could have gone a little harder."

You definitely have to be crazy to do it.
6 people found this helpful
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slain
5.0 out of 5 stars Best cycling book I have read by far
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2011
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I read a lot of cycling books, and most of the time I'm pretty disappointed by them. They are generally one or more of the following: poorly written, boring, egotistical, or in the doping era gossipy or overly speculative. However this book cuts through all the crap and give you one thing, the inner thoughts of a racing cyclist. If you race, or have even just spent a lot of time in the saddle, this book will ring true and resonate with you. I've heard it said that 'cycling is boring only if you are.' Kind of a harsh point, but I take it to mean that a thinking person who rides has all sorts of entertaining thoughts running through their head when they get out on the road. Whereas others might just be... bored. Well Krabbe's Rider is the type of cyclist who thinks. And if you do too, you'll likely get a kick out of his free flowing thoughts. Most are related to the race at hand, other though are just tidbits of cycling insight. Some thoughts are even a little strange, but hey, who hasn't had a weird thought from time to time while riding? I rode across America a few years ago and one day I got the song 'Ten Little Indians' stuck in my head for like half of Kansas. Damn near drove me nuts... but my point is when your riding all day, you think of all sorts of stuff. But don't be misled, the vast majority of this book is about a bike race, a real race at that. I've learned things from this book that I took away and still value today. An example of which is the line: "cycling is about licking your opponent's plate clean before you start your own meal." If you race, you no doubt will understand the brutal truth there.
3 people found this helpful
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Ben
5.0 out of 5 stars Blunt, insightful, and full of wonderful cycling anecdotes
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2023
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This book launches the reader into the innermost workings of a bicycle race amid the muses of a bicycle racer. A wonderful reading experience.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Laz
5.0 out of 5 stars classic read
Reviewed in Canada on February 20, 2023
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legendary book cited by pros
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Nicole Shelley
5.0 out of 5 stars great book
Reviewed in Italy on March 28, 2022
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great book, a must read even for a beginner cyclist like myself. Amazon shipping ACE
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jindysubhub
5.0 out of 5 stars Cyclist must read
Reviewed in Australia on May 9, 2021
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All time classic, written in a fantastic style. It describes the emotions of the cyclists in perfect detail without using a word too many.
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Lonewolf
5.0 out of 5 stars parfait et génial
Reviewed in France on January 1, 2017
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Super écriture, des vrais feelings du vélo de compétition.
Court, direct, génial, on en redemande à la fin.... Un bijou pour tous les cyclosportifs!
One person found this helpful
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Robert Hart
5.0 out of 5 stars Ever wondered what you might feel like competing in a Professional Cycling stage?..This book will fill in the blanks....intense
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2014
Verified Purchase
A truly gripping read, managing to involve the reader in the riders' attempt to win a cycle stage and all the thoughts,pain and efforts to
get to the line.I like cycling but am not a serious rider,but have often wondered what is going on in the heads of the professionals when you see a stage of the Tour de France or similar .This book gives a very intense idea of what those thoughts might be......very good book....a real keeper once read.
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