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The Hour [Paperback]

Michael Hutchinson
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
RRP: £8.99
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Book Description

7 Jun 2007

The Hour. It's the only cycling record that matters: one man and his bike against the clock in a quest for pure speed. No teammates, no rivals, no tactics, no gears, no brakes. Just one simple question - in sixty minutes, how far can you go?

Michael Hutchinson had a plan. He was going to add his name to the list of record-holders, cycling's supermen. But how does a man who became a professional athlete by accident achieve sporting immortality? It didn't sound too hard. All he needed was a couple of hand-tooled bike frames, the most expensive wheels money could buy, a support team of crack professionals, a small pot of glue, and a credit card wired to someone else's bank account. Still, getting the glue wasn't a problem...


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Product details

  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Yellow Jersey (7 Jun 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0224075209
  • ISBN-13: 978-0224075206
  • Product Dimensions: 12.7 x 1.5 x 20.1 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 40,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Product Description

Review

In this warm, gently wise book, Hutchinson tells of his attempt at the Hour, the history of the record, and the men who have claimed it ... Whether he added his name to that illustrious list is unimportant ... because, as with all great quest stories, this is not about the destination, but the journey (Angus Batey The Times )

Hutchinson proves as good a writer as he is rider (praise indeed) - congenial, funny and insightful ... A very fine way indeed to spend an hour, any hour (Matt Seaton Guardian )

Has the rare quality in any sports-writing of propelling the reader into the intensity of the sporting moment itself (David Horspool Times Literary Supplement )

Sometimes painful, often hilarious... One of the most insightful and entertaining accounts of the cycling world to make it into print (Cycling Weekly )

Constantly absorbing, very funny... Michael Hutchinson pulls off a real blinder (Daily Telegraph )

Book Description

The story of the only cycling records that matters, by one of our cleverest, funniest new writers

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Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed this book. It is about Michael Hutchinson's attempt to cycle further in one hour than anyone else ever has - although of course it isn't that simple.

He covers the history of "The Hour": the riders, technology, drugs, and how it has now become the anti-technology Athlete's Hour.

He talks about how he got in to cycling quite late in life, his training, racing, creating the bike for the attempt, the attempt itself and much more.

He has a writing style that is easy to read and addictive - I read the book over one weekend. There are lots of funny bits and his descriptions and opinions of the people involved are refreshingly honest - especially of himself.

I'd recommend this book if you're at all interested in cycling, record attempts or the mind of professional athletes - great stuff.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly brilliant book 28 July 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's not often I read a book that I just can't put down, but this has been one of them. For any cycling enthusiast who wants a detailed insight into The Hour this book is a must. It gives a blow by blow account of how the author prepared to attack the record and is filled with interesting and fascinating facts on the cycling greats who have also attempted it over the years. Even if you have no real interest in cycling, the story is so good that this is still a riveting book. It is mainly a factual account, but is written in a style that at times has you laughing out loud. Michael Hutchinson is to be applauded for having written such a splendid book on his Hour attempt, and for having had the sheer guts to take it on, and stick with it, in the first place.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fine way to spend your downtime. 25 Feb 2010
Format:Paperback
Absolutely brilliant book, whether you like cycling stories or not! This book is so much more than a bike book, it's about the man, the event, the person, the history, the help of others, the hard work, the journey & the fun. The book is easy to read & rolls along nicely, funny, informative, exciting, interesting & good natured. Plenty of historical backup to help you get involved in the story if you don't know the ins & outs of it, very respectful to those who've gone before, very inspiring to those who may follow. A seriously good read, one i shall enjoy reading again in the near future.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Michael Hutchinson trying to break the hour record
I've read all the books over the past couple of years by Armstrong (cheat!) wiggo cavendish etc and this was by far the most enjoyable. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Pete Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
My husband reckons one of the best books he has ever read, therefore got this one as a present. Well recieved
Published 2 months ago by JP
5.0 out of 5 stars funny man, michael
he writes for cycling weekly, this book was in the same satyrical vein of his column. I thoroughly enjoyed the book
Published 5 months ago by M. Cummings
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read.
Great read for the older 'tester' - never realised the man analysed so much! Great read on the physical and mental demands this event requires. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Laurence Green
3.0 out of 5 stars Unfulfilling read
Now I have to say that this book was pretty well written and was easily readable, however, I felt really let down at the end. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Thomas R. Giddings
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read - Hutch is a legend of TT & the written word
This is a great read. Hutch writes for cycling weekly and his column made me want to read more. This book works on all levels; from serious enthusiast to complete ignorance of the... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good read (for cyclists)
This book is really enjoyable; a bit of history, a bit of humour and, if you're a cyclist at any level, plenty to relate to. Read more
Published 23 months ago by W. Loh
5.0 out of 5 stars amazing
No other biog captures the moments at the end of a sportsman's career quite like this. It was billed as not really cyclist's biog but it absolutely is. Read more
Published on 6 April 2011 by Mr. M. S. Blewitt
5.0 out of 5 stars The Journey is better than the destination
A very funny and entertaining read.
Not just a book for cyclists but also for anyone who enjoys a good story. Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2011 by Smart Mart 13
5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining
Very entertaining book Hutchinson certainly knows how to keep you chuckling away with all the ins and outs of attempting something that a mere mortal would never ever think of... Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2011 by Prog merckx
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