Further by Michael Hutchinson

Further, by Michael Hutchinson, explores every aspect of endurance racing and how each one influences another. It is meticulously researched, easy to read and guaranteed to appeal to anyone with a slight interest in long distance events.

> Buy now: Further for £13.82 from Awesome Books

This is the first book I have read by Hutchinson, aka Dr Hutch, and, it is fair to say, it will not be the last. He presents factual content brilliantly – at no point did I feel turned-off by dates or data – and retells stories with sarcasm and wit. I flew through the pages, and when I turned the last one, I was more than disappointed there were no more.

Dr Hutch’s experience of riding two 24-hour events is woven into the entire book. He draws on these escapades to help him understand how different the challenges of endurance racing are compared with those of shorter distance events. He admits that, as a tester, he was very used to executing a plan, being in control of both the race and himself, which was how he liked it. The world of endurance racing can be so different to this. He concludes that participants in these events “get something extraordinary out of them”, and to do that “they have to be a little extraordinary themselves”.

Each chapter dissects crucial elements of long distance cycling. ‘Endurance cycle racing’ can encompass so many different events. Dr Hutch does well to touch on pretty much every sort that springs to mind, from 12-hour events to unsupported races such as the Transcontinental, or TCR.

He analyses humans’ obsession with riding long distances from the moment the bicycle was invented. Quirky stories and historical records are used to draw similarlities between the emergence of increasingly popular unsupported endurance events and the first editions of the Tour de France. Each anecdote is delivered with humour and a touch of sarcasm – you’ll be forgiven for concluding that this endurance malarkey is just a little bit crazy as you laugh to yourself and raise your eyebrows at the extremes some riders go to.

> Check out the books every cyclist should own

Further chapters recognise the challenges and obstacles that long distance riders face. Physical preparation, psychological challenges, bike setup and equipment, sleep deprivation, nutrition and support crews (for those events that permit them) are all discussed in a relatable and engaging way. The list goes on, with seemingly no stones left unturned…

The depth of research is impressive. Dr Hutch has consulted experts in specific fields such as sleep and nutrition, and passes on their knowledge and advice in an easy-to-comprehend manner.

In addition to this, he shares experiences of some of the best endurance athletes out there: Emily Chappell, Christoph Strasser, Fiona Kolbinger and Mike Broadwith, to mention just a few.

His writing makes his encounters with these riders tangible – you sense that you are really getting to know them. The different attitudes and approaches are fascinating and, at times, surprising. This makes endurance racing an addictive spectacle, even if it is only watched via dots – responses to events within races can rarely be rehearsed, and each person has their own unique way of dealing with them.

Only five years ago we reviewed a book called Endless Perfect Circles: Lessons from the little-known world of ultradistance cycling. I think ‘little-known’ may no longer be the best description for ultradistance cycling – it’s moving forward at quite a pace.

I couldn’t help wishing that Dr Hutch had written the book after Sarah Ruggin’s record-breaking JOGLEJOG ride – there would surely be a massive chunk of intriguing content there. However, Further will surely satisfy those with any interest, and will likely get you reading his other books too, if you haven’t done so already.

> Buy now: Further for £13.82 from Awesome Books

Verdict

Painstakingly researched, wonderfully written and thoroughly entertaining and informative – a must-read for any endurance fan

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