Its summer and that means travel and vacationing, to me it also means the Tour de France. For the past five years, I have watched the Tour de France. In fact I have planned my July around the Versus channel’s coverage. Yes, I started watching because of that Texan, LANCE. But I grew to love the sport of cycling and have really gotten into the cycling events in the past three years since he retired. So to celebrate another Tour de France, Victoria Public Library is displaying books on traveling France and on cycling.
This year there is another good reason to read about cycling. It is Johan Bruyneel’s new book We might as well win. This is not just another cycling book or even just another sports book. Mr. Bruyneel’s unique perspective of the sport, especially the strategies and tactics it takes to win are enlightening and could transfer nicely into any business. The book is also very literate. I have read sports books on the topics of basketball (my personal favorite sport), football (especially college), baseball, swimming/diving (remember Greg Louganis), and of course cycling (Lance Armstrong’s two autobiographies and Floyd Landis’ defense of his Tour win). So when I say I have read some very illiterate accounts, I am sure some of you would agree. Why do sport’s figures feel you must use slang and curse words to make a point? Don’t you think their mother’s want to just wash their mouths out? Get ready for a pleasant surprise, Mr. Bruyneel who is fluent in six languages and I am sure he can curse with the best of them, knows when not to use those words. Mr. Bruyneel discusses the strategy and tactics of team cycling. He explains in terms of any organization not just sports. He focuses on the big picture not just one cyclist or one win or loss. So if you are interested in a good nonfiction title, try Johan Bruyneel’s We might as well win.
