Every Woman's Guide to Cycling: Everything You Need to Know, From Buying Your First Bike to Winning Your First Race

I like the easy conversational approach and the examples of women of varying ages, varying degrees of skill and ability taking to the road or (off-road.) I especially like Selene sharing her own struggles and 'bad' choices... allowing us to see her as one of us... and allowing us to learn from her experience. I also enjoyed some of the myths Selene dispells (a huge one about training in the 'fat burning' zone.)... I have argued with significant others about this... it never fully made sense to me why, when given the choice, I would choose to burn less calories than more. Selene states it eloquently with a great example... !The one thing keeping me from giving it a full 5 star rating is the discussion on vegetarianism. I feel she misses the mark and the 'complete protein' argument is also an old 'myth' that has since been left behind with advancements in science and understanding nutrition. You do not need to eat meat in order to get your protein... (cows eat grass for theirs...!). Here are a few examples of protein packed foods:Tempeh, Seitan, Soybeans, Lentils, Beans, Tofu, Quinoa, Nut Butters,Almonds, Bulgur, Sunflower Seeds, Spinach, Broccoli, ....It is very easy for a vegan diet to meet the recommendations for protein. Nearly all vegetables, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds contain some, and often much, protein. Fruits, sugars, fats, and alcohol do not provide much protein, so a diet based only on these foods would have a good chance of being too low in protein. However, not many vegans we know live on only bananas, hard candy, margarine, and beer. Vegans eating varied diets containing vegetables, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds rarely have any difficulty getting enough protein as long as their diet contains enough energy (calories) to maintain weight.I am excited to put the pedal to the test and add it as great way to increase my fitness. This book has me very motivated. I hope it will do the same for you!

I read the great reviews on Amazon before buying the book, so took a chance. I was very pleased with the book and only I wished I could have bought the book before buying my bike to save me some time. However, it did confirmed some of the steps I took to get the bike. Besides giving tips about buying a bike, the book gave me great tips on riding and the necessary things I needed in case of emergencies. I had my first flat tire this past weekend, and because I read the book, I was ready and took care of it (okay, I had some help by another rider as well). Anyhow, I recommended the book to a friend I met riding over the weekend because it was very helpful me and for first time riders. For those who have been riding for a while you can skip some things, but there are some things that you can learn from it as well.Overall, I am very pleased with the book and would not hesitate to recommend it to others.

I am a newbie to cycling. I mean, I rode around with friends as a kid, but never really knew what I was doing when I moved up to a bike where I could shift gears. Then there is all the gears, etc. Eventually I met this cute boy who just happened to be a cyclist. Although I loved cheering him on at all his events, there came a time I wanted to ride (and not have to bombard him with all my many questions, some of which he could not answer). This book did it for me. It reads as if you are talking candidly with a girlfriend. I am really, so, SO glad I bought it. Love that we can now enjoy yet another activity together, on his easy days, of course. ; )

This was a great primer for someone new to cycling, and I suspect I'll keep referring to it in the months to come. The chapter on buying a bike has excellent advice on avoiding the wrong bike, as well as setting a reasonable budget for your cycling goals.My only caution is that the technology of bikes changes so rapidly that taking some of the bike advice in this book is like taking computer advice from a book published four years ago. For instance, repairing carbon bikes is a lot more common now; when the book was written, to wreck a carbon frame was to scrap the bike. So use the advice as a very good starting point, but do your homework when you start actually bike shopping.

Loved the book. Found several tips that were helpful, even though I've been riding for years. Staying upright and pedaling can be greatly enhanced with a little advice from someone who isn't afraid to be completely basic to very detailed. I was moving from pleasure cycling to longer distance cycling. Handle position, increasing rpms, using my gears better and tricks for dodging objects on the road all enhanced my distance and enjoyment. Thank you!!!

I recently purchased a bike and wanted to learn more about cycling. Gears confused me and I had no confidence.The book is great. I am now becoming more confident riding hills and have learned to use my gears better and spin! I've also learned about eating to ride and a bit about maintenance. Being specifically oriented to women it suited me down to the ground.Just 2 days ago I went in a 35km charity ride. I was concerned I wouldn't make the distance, the longest I had ridden before was 20km. Well, I did it even the dreaded hill I had heard about! Oh what a feeling!Morning rides watching the mist over the paddocks and the sun coming over the horizen. No children constantly calling Mummy. Riding along singing a song -- just a brilliant feeling.Wouldn't have the confidence without reading the book.Great book. Great sport.

I got this book because I wanted some very basic information. I got it. I have been riding bikes all my life, but it has been years since I was on a road bike. I wanted to start from scratch,relearn gearing and maintenance. I also wanted a very basic training program to get me up and going. I didn't want a book to throw me on the bike for so many miles that I gave up. This one doesn't and the plan is great for beginners. I am a big girl and this book will help me change that while keeping my bike, and me, if tip top condition! I also see that it will asisit as I gain fitness and ability, with further developing my road bike skills.

Good to read a womans take on CyclingThe nutrition side of the book was interesting,even if I don't race

I have cycled for some years but this book has changed everything!! It has helped improve my riding no end. Very helpful.

Good book - lots of hints and tips.

Really interesting and informative read - i found it easy to understand and able to use the tips and suggestions to improve my cycling.

I have cycled round half the world but never raced, so this book was very enlightening for me. I recommend it!