Bobke II Paperback – September 10, 2003

Some of the negative reviewers are disappointed by this book because it doesn't really explain bike racing. They're right, but they're also missing the point. This book is about Bobke, not bike racing. As such, it's very much worth reading.Many books about cycling seem based on the idea that the riders are lonely, obsessed heroes who are willing to die face down on a peak in the Alps for a moment of glory. Or, alternately, they're doped up cyborgs who are willing to die face down for a pile of money.While there probably are some examples of both stereotypes, the reality is that, as Bob Roll points out, in Europe, most professional cyclists are working class guys. And so is Bob Roll. That's what makes this book so interesting to me-- and maybe why it disappoints some other reviewers.Roll is a real oddball as a professional cyclist. (And I don't mean his off-the-wall irreverence, though that is the 800-pound gorilla in the room whenever Roll is present.) Roll's oddness as a professional is that he enjoyed a long career near the top of the road racing and mountain biking worlds, yet he was a thoroughly unexceptional rider. He wasn't really fast, he wasn't a great climber, and he certainly wasn't a great tactical mind. However, he was as tough as a $2 steak. Throughout his career he was willing-- and able-- to race with a nearly maniacal focus on helping his team win. He was relentless, to the point of making his competitors believe that he would ride through walls if need be to beat them. And maybe he would have done just that; who really knows?In this book, Roll takes us with him as he toils deep in the peloton, as he crashes in horrendous piles of screaming riders, as he pauses to throw up on a French farmer's front lawn, as he goes on fanatical ten-hour training rides with Lance Armstrong or alone in the snow on closed highways in the Rockies. These things, and not the races themselves, are what professional cycling is like for a real-world, working-class guy with a relentless work ethic and a boundless love for cycling.I'm not sure I'd enjoy being with Bobke on a long car ride, and I most definitely wouldn't want to be trapped in a stalled elevator with him, but I really enjoyed this book. If a regular guy can do an international sport at a high level, Roll is that guy. Read this book, and you'll probably never look at bike racing and the men who do it in quite the same way ever again.This book isn't really about bike racing. It's about Bob Roll-- Bobke-- a true American original.

I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who has even the slightest of interest in competetive cycling/endurance events. I've always enjoyed Bobke's unique commentary on OLN, especially during the Tour. Bobke II takes the whole thing up a notch as Bobke reflects on a truly inspirational cycling career. Its great to hear what the Tour de France really feels like when you are just trying to hang in there to the end. And of course Bobke's colorful and diverse vocabulary makes it all the more enjoyable, even when we need to use his end-of-chapter glossary to decipher what nickname belongs to who. I especially enjoyed the chapter about Bobke's training camp with Lance Armstrong, in which we hear what its like for an accomplished pro rider (Bobke) to try to keep up with super-human Armstrong. Look forward to reading more of Bobke's zany ruminations. By the way, anyone ever see a copy of Bobke I??

He has a great sense of humor. Wish I had kept his first book, I wanted to read it again. It’s $50 + now. However, unless you want lots of technical information, skip Tour De France Companion. I recommend this one, I’ve read it before, years ago. Love Bobke! Vive le tour

I was a bit disappointed in the book/diary. If you're a cycling fan there are some fun parts and interesting insights into the pro peleton of the past. But it's pretty clear this is definitely a different Bobke than you see and hear on the Tour de France coverage these days. I'm glad he outgrew this stage. :)

Bob Roll is well known for his colorful commentary for the Tour d'France and other professional cycling rides throughout the year. Those who know his background as a hard working rider and irreverent humorist will love this second book. I stayed up late 2 nights in a row to read it cover to cover. Couldn't stop smiling and laughing at the the Boob-ka's views of the world. A delight to be the beneficiary of Bob's wonderful insights and perspective on dealing with those times in life where things don't quite work out as you had planned.

I'm a Bobke fan, enjoyed it!

Out of all the books about professional cycling, Bobke II is probably the one I read most carefully because it contains such an onslaught of stream of consciousness writing, that I dared not skip a single word lest I miss something that actually made sense. If that seems like a criticism, it really isn't. I found that after a while, I was actually thinking the way Bob wrote. Scary. Still, the hilarity that often ensues with each new chapter makes the whole venture worth while. Read it, and you'll see. There are nuggets in here that you will be quoting to your friends on your next group ride. And, since you cannot do them justice, your friends will get very tired of hearing about them. The Bob Roll we know from race television is nothing like the Bobke who unleashes himself upon each page in this book. Good thing, too, or else the censors would be yanking their hair out in large bunches.

Loved reading this as it brought back so many great memories as a cyclist and bike racing fan. I’ve always loved Bob and the 7-11 team. Met Bob several times and always found him fun and easy to talk to, this book was like sitting down and talking to him. A fun read for cycling fans.