The Cycling Bible

Chris Sidwells is an author, journalist and editor who has written over twenty-five books, including some bestselling cycling guidebooks such as the Bike Repair Manual, and has edited numerous others. In 2019 he founded independent publisher Cycling Legends, which aims to tell the untold stories of cycling. He has written over 1,000 articles for Cycling Weekly, Cycle Sport, GQ Magazine, Men’s Fitness, the Guardian, the Independent, the Daily Telegraph, the Sunday Times, the BBC and many more. Chris also talks about cycling on the Cycling Legends Podcast. When he isn’t writing or discussing all things cycling, he can be found on his bike riding on- and off-road.

IntroductionCHAPTER 1 A MANIFESTO FOR CYCLINGCHAPTER 2 GETTING STARTEDBuying the bikeBuying second-handAdditional kitWhat to wearExtras to considerCHAPTER 3 THE WORLD OF CYCLINGCycling disciplinesRoad cyclingOff-road cyclingEbikesCHAPTER 4 BIKE FIT, RIDING POSITION Fitting your bike to youRiding positionEssential skillsCHAPTER 5 PERFORMANCE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUETechniquePerformanceOff-road performance skillsThe importance of aerodynamicsCHAPTER 6 FITNESS: GENERAL PHYSICAL PREPAREDNESSCycling fitnessStrength and conditioningA word for over-fortiesDiaphragm breathingRepetitions and progressionThe Cycling Bible’s strength and conditioning sessionRunning for cyclistsCHAPTER 7 FITNESS: SPECIFIC TRAINING FOR CYCLINGSpecific areas of cycling trainingPerformance capacitiesSpecific training sessionsCHAPTER 8 CREATING YOUR OWN TRAINING PLANSetting yourself up for successTraining for cyclosportivesUltra-endurance trainingTraining for road racesTraining for time trialsTraining for cyclo-crossTraining for cross-country, mountain bike and gravel racesOther disciplinesCHAPTER 9 EFFECTIVE NUTRITIONThe basicsEating before, during and after trainingFood supplementsLosing weightCHAPTER 10 TRAINING THE MINDThe psychology of performanceCHAPTER 11 BIKE CARE AND MAINTENANCEBasic bike checksMaintenanceGlossary