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Ned Boulting's growing on me

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  1. SRD
    Moderator

    Back a couple of years I read NB's yellow jumper book, and wasn't impressed. The tone annoyed me; I didn't learn much. Now that I've watched a few more tdf's I should probably re-read it. It probably wasn't aimed at someone like me who hadn't spent 10 years watching ITV.

    However, I've just read "On the road bike" - which I somehow totally missed last year when it came out - and really, really enjoyed it. It really captures something about British cycling. It is also much less jokey (although still funny). It is rather sweetly honest about his growing love for cycling - and his admiration for the folk he meets - and that works much better for me than the blokey jokey TdF stuff. He's also very honest about how the pros deal with him, and pretty unflinching about the folk he interviews. Really quite powerful in an understated way.

    I've not read any reviews of it (may go do that now), but I think it is a very nicely formed book. It perhaps helps that I agree with his assessment of Froome, and that his take on Cavendish rings true.

    Oh, and Chris Boardman is the secret hero of the book.

    Another good bit - Boulting also reveals a bit of interest in campaigning issues.

    I'm also partway through his short 'how cav won the green jersey' and while I'm enjoying it, it's much more in the mode of the yellow jumper book (albeit a somewhat more mature style).

    Posted 10 years ago #
  2. SRD
    Moderator

    Here's Helen pidd's review, which strikes me a pretty much on the money.

    http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2013/may/29/review-ned-boulting-on-the-road-bike

    Posted 10 years ago #
  3. Bhachgen
    Member

    "Yellow Jumper" is OK. I found it amusing enough but if you are a fairly dedicated cycling 'fan' and have been for any length of time there is not a lot in it that will be new to you.

    Meant to read On the Road Bike after reading Helen Pidd's review first time around. Wonder if I can pick up a copy before going on holiday this weekend...

    Posted 10 years ago #
  4. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    SRD: "It probably wasn't aimed at someone like me who hadn't spent 10 years watching ITV."

    Bhachgen: "if you are a fairly dedicated cycling 'fan' and have been for any length of time there is not a lot in it that will be new to you".

    HIWTYJ is a familiar story from an unusual perspective. I enjoyed it. Here he is when he discovers that there is irrefutable evidence that Armstrong has been doping:

    "I jogged down to the beach, and swam out to where Simon (Brotherton) was, unable to contain myself, I gabbled my news at him. He chose his words carefully.
    'Well if it's true it's not good. In fact it's probably the end of our summers. Cycling is the Tour de France and the Tour is Armstrong'. He stood up to reveal that the sea was only waist high."

    And I have to admire someone who can write: "Like trees add a ring for each year, so our cases accrue the scurf of daily decay".

    On the Road Bike is quite different. It has some humour, especially when Chris Boardman appears. But it really did seem to catch something of our collective spirit in all its weird forms through the simple idea of trying to find out what cycling means to people. But I preferred HIWTYJ - there are so few funny books about cycling.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  5. recombodna
    Member

    I liked HIWTYJ. A lot of it reminded me of being on a band tour. Good humour. 'Mon the Ned Boulting

    Posted 10 years ago #
  6. HankChief
    Member

    Wed 19th Aug

    BLOOD, SWEAT AND TOURS DE FRANCE

    To the millions of British cyclists who have fallen in love with the Tour de France, Ned Boulting has become a familiar feature in ITV’s coverage of the gruelling race. Boulting’s irreverent behind-the-scenes book 101 Damnations offers a close-up account of a month chasing the wheels (and the post-race words) of Vincenzo Nibali and his rivals in last year’s race from Yorkshire to Paris.

    https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on/ned-boulting

    Tickets open today.

    Posted 9 years ago #
  7. amir
    Member

    I'm in - hurrah!

    Posted 9 years ago #
  8. SRD
    Moderator

    do you have your badge?

    http://goshyesnedboulting.tumblr.com/badges

    Posted 9 years ago #
  9. gibbo
    Member

    I prefer him as a commentator to Hugh Porter.

    Would it be too much to hope for Boulting/Millar as ITV's commentary team for the Tour?

    Posted 9 years ago #
  10. Coxy
    Member

    Me too!

    Posted 9 years ago #
  11. Surprised there were any tickets left, but I'm in.

    Posted 9 years ago #
  12. PS
    Member

    Still some tix left. I'll be there.

    Posted 9 years ago #
  13. Coxy
    Member

    A little drinky before-hand?

    Posted 9 years ago #
  14. I was wondering the exact same thing Coxy :)

    Posted 9 years ago #
  15. chdot
    Admin

  16. Coxy
    Member

    Or Mathers

    Posted 9 years ago #
  17. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    I'm in as well.

    Posted 9 years ago #
  18. amir
    Member

    "A little drinky before-hand? "

    Hopefully - I'm travelling from up north that day

    Posted 9 years ago #
  19. PS
    Member

    It should be noted that William Fotheringham is on the evening before Ned, talking about the magnifique Monsieur Bernard Hinault. Unfortunately I'm supposed to be appreciating a rendition of Mozart's Requiem that night which prevents my attendance.

    Posted 9 years ago #
  20. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Mozart's Requiem has a connection with cycling iirc.

    Posted 9 years ago #
  21. amir
    Member

    Bump

    Any meeting up before the Ned Boulting talk? I'm off to Aberdeen for a couple of days but should be back for early evening.

    Posted 9 years ago #
  22. Well bumped, was thinking the same thing myself - anyone up for meeting beforehand?

    Posted 9 years ago #
  23. paddyirish
    Member

    Went to William Fotheringham and enjoyed the Hinault evening. Enjoy the format (~40 mins discussion with host = 20 mins questions) and a lot of interesting opinions, but he mentioned several times that the book was written long ago and it felt like he had moved on.

    Still a good evening and I've bought a copy of the book which he kindly signed.

    Hope everyone enjoys Ned Boulting tomorrow.

    Posted 9 years ago #
  24. gembo
    Member

    @paddyirish, ha ha. William fotheringham writes a book every two years or maybe 18months so he has moved on to his next one whilst publicising an older one for sure.

    Posted 9 years ago #
  25. Coxy
    Member

    Mathers
    Cambridge
    Oxford
    ?

    Posted 9 years ago #
  26. I'm going, but probably straight there...

    Posted 9 years ago #
  27. PS
    Member

    Think I'll be straight there, accompanied by Ms PS. Will keep an eye out for CCErs.

    Posted 9 years ago #
  28. With nae responses yesterday I settled on going home for me dinner beforehand and haven't got my ticket here :(

    Posted 9 years ago #
  29. I doubt I'll know any CCE-ers, but will have fun trying to work out if anyone I see in the queue is one ;-)

    Posted 9 years ago #
  30. amir
    Member

    Two of us are in the book shop cafe. Warning we are pretty unrecognisable without cycling atuff

    Posted 9 years ago #

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