Dog in a hat: An American Bike Racer’s Story of Mud, Drugs, Blood, Betrayal, and Beauty in Belgium
Written by: Joe Parkin
This book is just like the title states, a true story of one mans insight into the world of cycling set in the 1980s. Joe Parkin gives no BS into what it was like riding in the rain soaked cycling classics. After leaving high school in the 80s,Parkin left America in to pursue his dream of becoming a cycling star. Most people forget about Belgium when they think of cycling. France, Italy and Spain all have the Grand Tours which garner a lot of attention. In Belgium, especially in the spring, cycling is life.
Before Lance Armstrong and Greg Lemond brought popularity to the sport; few North Americans followed the sport of cycling. Parkin points out that it was Bob Roll, a popular sports commentator for Versus, who helped start him on his journey. Roll passed on what he had learned, if you want to KNOW how to ride a bike move to Europe. And if you really wanted to know how to ride the big classics, move to Belgium.
Large font and short chapters make this book an easy read. If your interested in cycling, pick it up. Even if your not, Parkin makes it an easy read for the non-cyclist as well.
i read it in a day. pas bad. i liked how he basically gave up a pro roadie career by 24. just think all he needed was some MORE EPO to keep’er goin