Cycling Books

I am new to road cycling and I take an interest in both participating and watching (the Tour de France, Spain, Italy etc. (To see clearly !!)). Does anyone know of any good books that provide information on tactics used by cycalists and info on what actually happens during a Grand Tour. I'm not looking for a manual How race, plus an overview of tactics, etc. in a perspective Pro.

Thank you in advance

Ben
Hello, I second the suggestion of "The Lance Armstrong Performance Program" by Lance Armstrong and Chris Carmichael.
This book covers a litte of what each of you, looking. It gives an overview of some of the training used by the pros, while simultaneously establishing suggestions or guidelines for the rest of us. It is a very readable and easy to digest. I found my copy on a negotiating table for under $ 5. I think maybe it was 99 cents (USD) card.
After completing a comprehensive reading, I went back and chose a number of things in there to apply to my own training. Although you probably will not choose to use all this, it gives a good overview / survey of some concepts of training.
The book is somewhat older, early 2000s, when some of the stuff is dated ProTour.

Regarding the large towers, a book not mentiond so far (unless I missed it) is the "Tour de France for Dummies." This works in the database at some of the more technical aspects of the sport at the professional level. I do not remember how tacticsare covered, but it is a work of God by giving you the basics of the sport (specify TDF) in an easy to digest.
Hope that helps
Nate
http://porkchopwi.spaces.live.com/

The "Bike Training Bible" by Joe Friel does not really tactical race, but it is one of the best at discussing and explaining the theory and practice of training and racing fitness. If you're new to road racing, it will give you an overview of how to get back into shape.

In addition, for an overview of the Tour de France, and British humor, you can consult the "French revolutions" Tim Moore. This book, among other things, recounts the author's journey round following the course of the Tour de France. He talks a lot about the history, runners, tactics, accidents, etc. in the Tour. Each page is filled with irony, bawdy comments about the French, the British press, cycling, cyclists, you name it.

Hope this helps and hope you enjoy the books.

Wow, this is not an easy task. I looked around books and websites. I did not really find a book "watchers race by hand." So I did some road and mountain bike racing has never been the team race like the pros.

All the information I have, I took forms, articles, websites, tours and attend a race pro for nearly 20 years. I gradually acquired information. I guess that's a new ledger.

The best, see Tour de France site, Bicycling.com or other mags. Get events on the sites of many forums you can ask questions that will be much more depth than Yahoo.

You learn as you watch, Liggett, Sherwood and Roll know everything!

It's really fascinating and complex subject!

I can not vouch for "training bicycle Diary" as I have not heard it but I totally agree about "French revolutions" Tim Moore [ISBN 0-224-06095-3], spiritual and instructive.

Read splendid and beautiful pictures I want to congratulate "The Tour de France Centennial 1903 -2003 [ISBN 1-841-88239-9]. background for the history, events and characters of the Tour. It's a little info-centric, but Lance gives great on the best riders of the day and you begin to understand why people like Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault a.