Reading a hundred online articles sometimes doesn\u2019t provide the same benefit as reading one great book \u2014 at least that\u2019s what I\u2019ve found in my 10+ years of researching cycling topics including power-based training, nutrition, strength training and more.<\/p>\n
On my office bookshelf alone I have upwards of 250 books. This list of ten are the ones I most frequently recommend to cyclists and triathletes who have the following four goals:<\/p>\n
The Power Meter Handbook: A User\u2019s Guide for Cyclists and Triathletes<\/a><\/strong> This is one of my bookshelf staples. For athletes who just got a power meter and are a bit perplexed by it, Friel\u2019s power meter handbook is what I recommend most. The language is simple and the basics of owning a power meter, like how to track your fitness changes and match your training to your race season, are covered really well.<\/p>\n Training and Racing with a Power Meter, 2nd Edition<\/a><\/strong> When it comes to power-based training, this book is the<\/em> standard. If you want to gain a deep understanding of your power meter, its data and power-based training as a whole, I cannot recommend this book enough. There aren\u2019t many, if any, online resources that will provide the depth you need to truly comprehend power-based training \u2014 taking the time to read a book is your best bet. In fact, I\u2019d venture to say you\u2019re doing yourself a disservice if you own a power meter and you haven\u2019t done proper research on it. Strong words I know, but I stand behind them.<\/p>\n If you already own the first edition of Training and Racing with a Power Meter, I still recommend picking up the second edition copy of Allen and Coggan\u2019s book. Compared to their frst edition that came out in 2006, you can tell from the sheer weight of the second edition, it\u2019s much more comprehensive, in addition to being more up to date.<\/p>\n The Triathlete’s Guide to Training with Power<\/a><\/strong> The intent behind Skiba\u2019s book was to dispel any myths surrounding triathlon and substitute those myths with science. An all-science, no-fluff approach might be intimidating to some, but Skiba\u2019s a master of taking difficult training concepts and breaking them down into digestible, simple-to-understand words. What\u2019s more, he likes to get to the point. At around one hundred pages, you can easily read this book in a single evening.<\/p>\n The Ultimate Ride: Get Fit, Get Fast and Start Winning with the World\u2019s Top Cycling Coach<\/a><\/strong> Before I really delved into power-based training, I read Carmichael\u2019s book. Unlike the books I recommended above, it\u2019s a more general look at cycling and training \u2014 that\u2019s what makes it such a great read for beginner cyclists. Instead of diving into the nitty gritty of things, the prolific cycling coach dedicated his book to the basics. What you\u2019ll get is a good rundown on energy systems, nutrition, racing strategies and training philosophies.<\/p>\n Nutrient Timing: The Future of Sports Nutrition<\/a><\/strong> John Ivy and Robert Portman know their stuff. As some of the world\u2019s leading physiologists, their research has collectively pioneered the understanding of how muscles work and how nutritional supplements play a role in improving muscle performance. This is one of the many reasons when I see either of their names on a book, I pick it up. That said, Nutrient Timing<\/em> is not an intro to nutrition; it\u2019s a high-level book for riders who are really serious about improving their body\u2019s composition. If you\u2019re not ready to go down a rabbit hole of charts, equations and academic writing, check out my next book recommendation.<\/p>\n Racing Weight: How to Get Lean for Peak Performance<\/a><\/strong> Another author I respect is Matt Fitzgerald. He\u2019s open minded and shares a lot of the same training beliefs that Tim Noakes advocates for. Regarding Racing Weight<\/em>, it\u2019s perfect for cyclists and triathletes who want know the best way to go about losing weight without sacrificing the quality of their training. Fitzgerald’s 8-step plan covers all you need to know. Unlike Ivy and Portman\u2019s book, there\u2019s a good amount of science in this one, but it doesn\u2019t command the entire book.<\/p>\n The Core Advantage: Core Strength for Cycling\u2019s Winning Edge<\/a><\/strong> Not too long ago I recommended Danielson\u2019s book on The Ask a Cycling Coach<\/a><\/em> podcast. I did this for two reasons: it\u2019s actionable and appeals to cyclists who don\u2019t necessarily want to go to the gym to get stronger. Every exercise he shares can be done at home, sans bulky equipment. So, whether you\u2019re experiencing pain on the bike and your goal is to resolve it, or you just want to develop your endurance and balance, pick up a copy of this book. Inside you\u2019ll get 50 core-focused strength exercises and three types of workout plans.<\/p>\n Triathlon Science: The Ultimate Nexus of Knowledge and Performance<\/a><\/strong> This is by and large my favorite triathlon book. It\u2019s fairly advanced, i.e. get ready to geek out, but there\u2019s plenty of general concepts, too. It\u2019s well balanced in that way. So whether you\u2019re a beginner or advanced triathlete, there\u2019s something in Friel and Vance\u2019s book for you; and because it\u2019s laid out in a textbook fashion, you can skip around without getting too off course.<\/p>\n Going Long: Training for Triathlon’s Ultimate Challenge<\/a><\/strong> For triathletes getting ready for an Ironman, this book is for you. As its Amazon description notes, it\u2019s hands down the most comprehensive guide to racing IM distance triathlons. Best of all, it\u2019s truly suited for all levels of triathletes. This is not an extremely difficult-to-follow, science-dominated book. Sure, there\u2019s a lot of information and research presented, but what sets it apart are the real-world anecdotes the experts share.<\/p>\n Scientific Training for Triathletes<\/a><\/strong> The cover design of Skiba\u2019s book gives it away: it\u2019s all about the science. He doesn\u2019t make promises of a secret formula for getting faster, he simply discusses proven principles for getting faster, then backs them up with sound science. What more do you need in a book really? (Heads up: The book is extremely pricey on Amazon. We reached out to Skiba to check if there\u2019s been a mistake with the product listing.) When his website is back up, you can also order his book<\/a> directly there.<\/p>\n The Way of the Cycling Discipline: The Rules<\/a><\/strong> Although most cyclists are familiar with this book, I still wanted to include it on the off chance you haven\u2019t hear of it. What makes this book shine is its wit, endless amount of cycling inside jokes and satirical realness. Most people catch themselves grinning or laughing out loud as they turn the pages of this one. I know I did.<\/p>\n Bike Snob: Systematically & Mercilessly Realigning the World of Cycling<\/a><\/strong> Similar to the above book, Bike Snob<\/em> brings humor to the forefront to mock the somewhat ridiculous nature of cycling culture as a whole. If you\u2019ve got a short flight in your future and want a light read to take with you on the plane, I recommend picking up a copy.<\/p>\n The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France<\/a><\/strong> Eye opener: that\u2019s the best way you could describe Hamilton\u2019s book. Intimate details of what happened behind closed doors in the Lance era are brought to light in this no-holds barred expose. Since there was so much media coverage when this book was released, I wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s as shocking of a read as it once was. Nonetheless, the book is still chock full of insight.<\/p>\n
\n By: Joe Friel<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n By: Hunter Allen and Andrew Coggan PhD<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n By: Dr. Philip Friere Skiba<\/strong><\/p>\nGoal #2: Understand the basics of cycling really well.<\/h2>\n
\n By: Chris Carmichael with Jim Rutberg<\/strong><\/p>\nGoal #3: Lose weight and strengthen my muscles to perform better on the bike.<\/h2>\n
\n By: John Ivy, Ph.D. & Robert Portman, Ph. D.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n By: Matt Fitzgerald<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n By: Tom Danielson and Allison Westfahl<\/strong><\/p>\nGoal #4: Prepare for my first triathlon.<\/h2>\n
\n By: Joel Friel and Jim Vance<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n By: Joe Friel and Gordon Byron<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n By: Dr. Philip Friere Skiba<\/strong><\/p>\n[BONUS SECTION]<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Goal #5: Be entertained.<\/h2>\n
\n By: Velominati<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n By: BikeSnobNYC<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n By: Tyler Hamilton<\/strong><\/p>\n