Cycling Books

For World Book Day I am resurrecting the Cycling Books podcast. I still keep in touch with my old Velocast podcasting buddy John Galloway. I asked him recetly was it OK to re-release these old book podcasts because although they are stuck in time somewhat, they’re more evergreen than you’re average podcast.I believe John’s response was something like “do whatever the f**k you want chum”.So I’ve gone with The Ronde by Ed Pickering, one of the best cycling books ever written. I’ve read it cover to cover twice already and I feel like reading it again.It’s a joy from start to finish, a celebration of everything that we love about bike racing. This is a continuation of my journey of rekindling my love of cycling books. I am aiming to add a few new podcasts to this as we make our way through the year. I’m halfway through reading Andy McGrath’s book on Pog, so I hope to speak to him on that one soon!Let me know if these old episodes stand the test of time! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cilliankelly.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit cilliankelly.substack.comAn episode plucked from the old Velocast archives, from The Reading Room.This is host Cillian Kelly in conversation with Guy Andrews, author of Greg LeMond: Yellow Jersey Racer, as well as publisher of several other cycling books and also the inventor of Rouleur magazine.Andrews speaks about cycling, books and the cycling media.

Ned Boulting is best known these days for his Tour de France commentary on ITV. He is also an excellent writer, producing several books over the years including How I Won The Yellow Jumper and On the Road Bike. I actually collaborated with Ned on the first two editions of The Road Book. Shortly after that he wrote another cycling book - his best one yet - about the 1923 Tour de France. But it's not just about cycling, it's about everything - cycling, history, war, art, lockdowns and losing oneself in the pursuit of knowledge. It is a joy, as was this conversation with Ned. I hope you enjoy it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cilliankelly.substack.com/subscribe

Jan Ullrich won the Tour de France in 1997, the first ever German winner of the race, and was expected to dominate for years to come. It didn't happen. A combination of drugs scandals, Lance Armstrong and more drugs scandals meant Ullrich left the sport by the back door in 2006. His story is a complicated one, and this story proved complicated to write too.Cycling Books host Cillian Kelly speaks to the author Daniel Friebe off of The Cycling Podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cilliankelly.substack.com/subscribe