French Revolutions - by Tim Moore

Who of us Norff Roadies can say that they have not dreamed of riding the Tour de France.  Just to gain a taste one or two of us might ride the Etape whilst others might sip, cheering by the side of the road.  

Ever since 1987 and in particular catching the moment when Stephen Roche fought his way back into contention in that year’s Tour courtesy of Channel 4, author and journalist, Tim Moore has shared in the fascination.  Having gained enough knowledge to realise the complexity and sheer heroic scale of the event, like most of us mere mortals he understood he would never compete in the Grand Boucle. 

Tim resolved to do more than stand by the roadside or ride a stage; French Revolutions recounts his suffering and chicanery as he follows the 2000 Tour route anticlockwise around France in the weeks preceding the main event.

Tim’s style in the book is as effortless as his ride is effort-filled.  He takes a novice eye view of introducing himself to a bike and his backside to a saddle before embarking upon his tour of discovery. Moore’s tale is of calorific excess and intimate discomfort as he learns the privations of the open road. The pages are filled with reference to the History of the great event and interwoven with descriptions of rural France that leave you reaching for the red wine. The commentary is a mix of Bill Bryson and David Duffield that will leave you chuckling as this confirmed amateur pedals where even seasoned pro’s fear to tread .

Tony Bradford