The Ronde

by Edward Pickering
The Ronde cover
Good Books rating 3.92
Sports Fiction
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  • ID: 6238
  • Added: 2025-11-07
  • Updated: 2025-11-07
  • ISBN: 9781471169281
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2018-03-08
  • Reviews: 3

The Ronde is a deep exploration of the Tour of Flanders, a race that combines grit, cobbles, steep climbs, and passionate fans into a single day of intense action. Edward Pickering tells the story of the 2011 Ronde, one of the most exciting races in recent history, weaving it into a broader study of the race's history, culture, and significance. The book offers eyewitness accounts from key locations and interviews with riders, providing a textured portrait of the event. It also delves into the deep links between bike races and the landscapes and cultures in which they take place, explaining how cycling works with detailed analysis of a single event.

Reviews
road.cc · Mike Stead · 2018-05-14
captivating 3.50

The book is a mix of chronological micro-analysis, travelogue, and love letter to the race, making it a unique and captivating read. It's mostly enjoyable, though some parts can be challenging.

The reviewer notes that the book is more than just a recount of a bike race; it's a blend of different genres that come together to create a rich tapestry. They appreciate the depth of analysis and the personal touch that makes the book feel like a love letter to the Ronde. However, they also mention that it can be tough going at times, which is the nature of a book written by a fan for fans. Overall, they find it a good read with moments that are particularly cracking.

Quick quotes

    The Ronde is more than a book about a bike race.

    Part chronological micro-analysis, part travelogue, part love letter, if it were to become the ...

    It's mostly a good read, occasionally cracking, occasionally tough going.

Podium Cafe · 2018-04-04
thoughtful 4.25

The book cleverly intertwines the history of the race and the region, creating a rich and engaging narrative. It's a thoughtful exploration of the race's cultural significance.

The reviewer praises the book for its clever integration of the history of the race and the region, which adds depth to the narrative. They find it a thoughtful exploration that goes beyond the surface level of the race, delving into the cultural and historical context. The reviewer appreciates how the book weaves together different elements to create a cohesive and engaging story. They highlight the book's ability to capture the essence of the Ronde and its significance in the broader cultural landscape.

Quick quotes

    One of the clever things about The Ronde is how Pickering's account of the history of the race and the region, which weave in and out of the ...

    It is a potent mix of grit, cobbles, steep climbs, narrow roads, national pride, ...

    The Ronde is a textured portrait of a race, but it also explores the deep links between bike races and the landscape and culture in which they take place.

The Inner Ring · 2018-03-06
engaging 4.00

The book is engaging and informative, blending history and personal anecdotes to create a vivid portrait of the race. It avoids the dryness of a textbook, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.

The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to weave together history, from geology to contemporary politics, without feeling like a schoolbook. Instead, it's filled with anecdotes that bring the race to life. They highlight that the book is not just about the Ronde but also about the people and culture that surround it. The reviewer finds it a compelling read that captures the essence of the race in a way that is both informative and entertaining.

Quick quotes

    There's history from geology to contemporary politics but apart from one section it's never like a schoolbook.

    Instead it's anecdotes and ...

    It's a textured portrait of a race, but it also explores the deep links between bike races and the landscape and culture in which they take place.

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