Daniel Cann

Published 2007 Yellow Jersey Press

The dust jacket cover of this boldly pronounces ‘Rough Ride is one of the greatest books ever written about the life of a professional athlete…’ So the book has much to live up to. In this new revised edition to the original the author has added a new preface and new chapters. I began reading the book with enthusiasm and anticipation, having already read a few books on the sport of cycling this was the first actually written by someone who had competed at the highest level who had literally rubbed shoulders with the likes of Greg LeMond, Laurent Fignon, Allan Peiper, Stephen Roche, Sean Kelly and Thierry Claveyrolot.

It starts with Kimmage growing up in a happy family environment in Ireland, inspired by his father’s cycling career the young and idealistic lad begins cycling himself. Before long his interest becomes more than just a hobby as he dreams of glory becoming a national hero and cycling in the Tour de France. He cycles up to 400 miles a week and eventually represents his country as an amateur in the World Championships. In 1986 the green and enthusiastic Kimmage turns professional and steps into a whole new world.

The author recalls his years as a professional as gruelling, exhausting, punishing and lonely. He has highs like competing in the Tour de France and admits to a buzz like no other when hearing the cheering crowds egging him on. But it is as a professional that a darker picture of the seemingly glamorous world of professional cycling emerges.

He discovers with disarming honesty that his best efforts are just not good enough to take him beyond being a mediocre competitor. He describes the unbelievable physical and mental punishment that cyclists put themselves through stage after stage, day after day. He also uncovers an unpalatable truth: There is widespread use of illegal substances to enhance performance and to help endurance. His fellow competitors are routinely using the drug EPO, amphetamines and injecting themselves with hormones. He argues how can a ‘clean’ athlete compete against this?

He has a choice, continue and stay firmly in the middle of the pack or join the rest of them. Kimmage tries not to paint himself as a shinning knight in white armour and admits to temptation, but ultimately he leaves the sport a disillusioned and disappointed young man. The rest of the book reads like an investigation with Kimmage assuming the role of a kind of cyclists Serpico as he uncovers the corruption that exists in the sport.

He is excellently placed to reveal the ugly truth ‘warts and all’ and he manages to do so especially in the later chapters (now as a middle-aged journalist). Kimmage displays wit and wisdom as he takes on the cycling world whilst on assignment. Having broken the omerta that exists he is not always a welcome presence. His insights and thoughts into the unfolding events are rich thanks to who he is. I particularly enjoyed his exchanges with cyclist David Millar.

There are many sad and poignant tales too, just one of the many is that of Thierry Claveyrolot, as Kimmage says ‘To watch this tiny Frenchman in his prime was to marvel at the power of spirit and determination. He was one of the great climbers of his generation and twice a stage winner of the Tour.’ Sadly Claveyrolot’s life did not work out for him once his career ended and he eventually committed suicide. Kimmage makes the point that all sportsmen must face the time when their careers are over: What to do next? Most athletes’ careers are over at only about thirty five years of age. Can he or she really work in a nine to five job for the rest of their lives and be happy?

From enthusiast to cynic Kimmage charts his and his contemporaries’ experiences well and the reader will have plenty to mull over here. I found this to be an enjoyable, entertaining and at times witty account of the most demanding of sports.