It's been a while since I read a book and thought, "now, truly, this is a classic". Tim Krabbe's "The Rider" wholeheartedly qualifies. This is the story of a cycling race told from the point of view of one of the participants, the author, who is also a noted chess player. It's full of musings on cycling, racing and the meaning of life, or at least the meaning of life as those of us who race -- bikes, boats, other people, whatever -- see it. Which is to say, we look at everyone else and wonder what could possibly make them tick, since their lives are devoid of competition. There are a dozen fantastic quotes in the book, but the most memorable to me was this:
How often have I seen people clapping and cheering for a rider who, having been lapped six times, pushes on bravely? It's an insulting brand of applause -- for where does a winning rider get the right to revel in applause if the crowd isn't obliged to hiss at him when he fails?
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