The first edition was described 'as perfect for the coffee table' by Cycling Plus, and although this is true as you can sit down with some fresh brewed java, it is also a book that you can enjoy over a couple of beers or a good bottle of red.
'Every picture tells a thousand words', absolutely and because the words in the book are few and far between they add rather than take away from the images. The great thing with these pictures is that as you view them over time, the experiences that you gather will change how you see them.
As the book covers a whole season in cycling it must take some time to go through all of the images, even if it is done at the time of shooting. Also the schedule that Andrews and the Rouleur Team impose on themselves borders on the brutal. Why do I think that? Well the series of photos from the Tour of Ireland leaves little time for them to have been edited and included in the book for it's launch at the Cycle Show. I am sure a few long nights at the end of summer were required to get it ready.
I have flicked through this at the Cycle Show and at the shop in recent days, and I will buy a couple of copies once paid. Why two, one for me and then one to give away. It does make a perfect present to any cycling friend as all the pain. glory and suffering is covered from Tour to Classics to the local races.
Each photographer has managed to capture (at least) one image that is either truly stunning or reflects the emotions that words often struggle to convey. Here is my quick list of favourites, which I am sure will grow once I have spent some more time looking through the book:
Camille J McMillan - page 56 & 57.
Geoff Waugh - pages 29 & 30.
Guy Andrews - page 105
Timm Kolln - page 78
Ben Ingram - page 201
Taz Darling - page 183
Of course there is more and you will discover your own favourites, and I am sure that it'll make for some debate over the Winter months until the season unfolds next year.