The Great Bike Race: The classic, acclaimed book that introduced a nation to the Tour de France

Get ready to dive into the wild heart of the Tour de France. Geoffrey Nicholson’s The Great Bike Race isn’t just a book — it’s the legendary deep‑dive that first brought the full drama of the Tour to English‑speaking readers.

Nicholson takes you from the brutal switchbacks of Alpe d’Huez to the eerie, rocky heights of the Col d’Izoard, painting every climb, rivalry, tactic and twist of the 1976 race with sharp, unforgettable detail. His writing doesn’t just describe the Tour — it drops you right into the saddle.

Alongside the gripping stage‑by‑stage storytelling, Nicholson lifts the curtain on the culture, traditions and larger‑than‑life personalities that shaped cycling’s greatest event. It’s no wonder modern cycling writers treat this book like a sacred text.

Now re‑issued in a fresh paperback edition, The Great Bike Race is the perfect read for cycling fans, sports history lovers, or anyone who wants to experience the Tour de France in all its raw, iconic glory.