Reading lets us travel without moving, step into eras we never lived through, and hear voices we might otherwise miss. Books open doors, challenge myths, question our assumptions, and sometimes force us to see people, events, and ideas from a completely different angle.
In sports, and especially in cycling, some books go even further. They drop us into the peloton without a race number, put us inside the team car, place us on the legendary climbs of the Tour, let us overhear conversations between riders and directors, or take us inside a cyclist’s mind when they drift away from the sport’s ethics and cross into something darker.
A great cycling book isn’t just about races and results. It’s about ambition, sacrifice, fear, identity, culture, geography—and yes, politics. Cycling has always been political, just like the bicycle itself, which was once a symbol of freedom and resistance.
That’s why we’ve put together a curated list of cycling books to read or give as a gift, whether the person is a die-hard cyclist or simply curious about the sport. It’s organized by themes and designed for both seasoned fans and newcomers alike.
Cycling books about the Tour de France
Talking about cycling inevitably means talking about the Tour; summer afternoons spent watching the race, rich with stories and moments that don’t show up in the stats.
If you want to go deeper, here are two must-reads:
Crónicas sobre ruedas: El Tour de Francia is a collection of more than one hundred articles by Jesús Gómez Peña, one of Spain’s most experienced cycling journalists, accredited at over twenty editions of the Tour. Published in 2025 by Libros de Ruta, it brings together his work into a single volume, offering a personal journey through the race’s history, from its first edition in 1903 to today.
Through richly detailed storytelling and anecdotes, the book revisits iconic moments and unforgettable performances from legends like Maurice Garin, Louison Bobet, Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, and Tadej Pogačar, as well as key Spanish figures such as Federico Bahamontes, Pedro Delgado, and Miguel Induráin. More than stats and results, it captures the human, epic, and often surprising essence that has shaped the myth of the Tour for over a century.
The Official History of the Tour de France (revised and updated edition, 2023) is essential reading for understanding the evolution of cycling’s most important race from a global and visual perspective. Covering more than a century of history—from 1903 to today—it blends narrative with over 300 carefully selected photographs, documents, and original artifacts.
More than a timeline, it’s a true reference book, exploring eras, legendary champions, and defining moments behind the yellow jersey. Its large-format, high-quality edition also makes it highly visual, perfect for both newcomers and dedicated fans looking for a comprehensive, well-documented take on the race.
And if you want to bring a bit of the Tour into your own rides, pair your reading with Siroko cycling gear inspired by its most iconic climbs and stages: the Tourmalet rain jacket, Aspen bib shorts, Joux Plane and Glandon long-sleeve jerseys, the Hautacam windproof vest, or Alpe d’Huez socks.
Cycling book about La Vuelta a España
If the Tour is France’s global showcase, La Vuelta is a reflection of Spain—its history, its people, and its political and economic ups and downs.
Crónicas sobre ruedas: La Vuelta a España by Juanfran de la Cruz, published by Libros de Ruta in 2025, goes beyond the many stories and characters across its 80 editions. It focuses on La Vuelta as an event, from its beginnings in 1935 to the much-debated move from spring to late summer, now widely embraced.
¡Viva la Vuelta! 1935–2017 by Adrian Bell and Lucy Fallon is a true almanac of the race, covering each edition year by year and placing it within its historical and political context. It also features a full record of results and an index for easy navigation across its 500+ pages.
To take a piece of La Vuelta with you on your rides, you can also combine these reads with Siroko gear inspired by its most iconic climbs and stages: Ancares socks, Cordal windproof vest, Envalira bib tights, Beixalis and Cubilla thermal jerseys, the Morcuera short-sleeve jersey, or the Naranco winter jacket. A way to keep the spirit of the race with you on every ride.
Cycling books about women
In just a few years, women’s cycling has gone from near invisibility to becoming an increasingly important and visible part of the sport—one that, not long ago, seemed almost exclusively male.
Ride the Revolution: The Inside Stories from Women in Cycling by Suze Clemitson brings together interviews and first-person stories from photographers, journalists, fans, chefs, and of course professional riders who have experienced this transformation from the inside. A key book for understanding the evolution of women’s pro cycling.
Dori Ruano. La vida como deporte de fondo by Jorge Matesanz is more than a look at the Spanish cyclist’s career achievements. It’s the story of a pioneer who paved the way for future generations. It explores a life defined by perseverance and strength, in a country where women’s cycling had yet to gain real traction.
If you’re looking to go beyond a book—whether for yourself or as a gift—you can pair these reads with items from Siroko’s women’s cycling collection, including jerseys, bib shorts and tights, jackets, socks, and essential accessories.
Cycling book about gravel riding in Catalonia
Gravel riding sits at the crossroads of road and mountain biking, offering a new kind of freedom for riders, less focused on racing, more on discovering where the road ends.
En bici gravel per Catalunya – 20 itineraris de cicloturisme tranquil is the perfect guide to discover quiet routes and landscapes across 23 regions of Catalonia, far from traffic.
And if you want to take that sense of adventure beyond the page, explore our Gravel collection for men and women, featuring jerseys, cargo pants, jackets, and accessories designed to get the most out of every ride, whether you’re exploring or racing.
Books about iconic climbs and legendary ascents
Every cyclist has a mental list of climbs they dream of conquering. We’ve seen them on screen, remember the battles of our heroes, and imagine riding them one day. Until then, here are two closely related books that bring together Europe’s most famous ascents: Tourmalet, Galibier, Mont Ventoux, Alpe d’Huez, Izoard, Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo, Lagos de Covadonga, l’Angliru…the list goes on.
Mountain High: Europe’s 50 Greatest Cycle Climbs and Mountain Higher: Europe’s Extreme, Undiscovered and Unforgettable Cycle Climbsby Daniel Friebe, with stunning photography by Pete Goding.
Two beautifully produced books that match the quality of their content, also available in English. If you’re looking for a gift, these are a safe bet.
To complete the experience, pair your reading with iconic Siroko gear like the Mortirolo bib shorts and Gavia white socks—must-haves for any ride.
Book about Cycling’s Monuments
The five great Classics: Milan–San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris–Roubaix, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and Il Lombardia. They’re more than races. They are Monuments.
You might not know them as well as the Tour, La Vuelta, or the Giro, but each of these races has its own identity, history, and heroes. Everything happens in a single day, in just a few hours—from “La Classicissima” in March to the “Race of the Falling Leaves” in October, passing through cobbled Flemish climbs, the “Hell of the North,” and “La Doyenne.”
The monuments (2nd edition) by Peter Cossins is without a doubt the best book to understand these races. It explores them from a historical and cultural perspective, explaining why they remain at the heart of the cycling calendar and why the greatest riders build their seasons around them.
To bring the spirit of the Monuments into your own rides, you can pair your reading with Siroko pieces like the Flandrien bib shorts, Kapelmuur black socks, or the Liège winter jacket—designed to perform while keeping that classic cycling soul alive.
Books about doping in cycling (first-person accounts)
Professional cycling also has a darker side. Stories that don’t fit into highlight reels or finish-line photos, and that cast a long shadow over the peloton for years—one that still hasn’t fully faded.
There was a time when performance seemed limitless and the line between dedication and excess blurred. The pressure to win, to keep a contract, or to meet impossible expectations pushed many riders into decisions that shaped careers—and reputations. Those years didn’t just affect results; they deeply impacted the sport’s credibility and the trust of its fans.
But understanding that chapter is essential to understanding modern cycling. Improved testing, greater transparency, and a generational shift didn’t come out of nowhere—they’re a direct response to that dark period.
Reading about it through first-person accounts—honest, unfiltered, without forced heroics—is not about dwelling on the fall, but about understanding the context, the pressure, and the contradictions of a deeply human sport. Because only by facing its shadows can we truly appreciate the light trying to emerge today.
The Descent and Racing Through the Dark are two books written from inside the peloton. Thomas Dekker and David Millar share their stories, detailing the pressure, fear, difficult decisions, and a complex era in professional cycling.
Cycling books in Catalan
Xavi Tondo. El triomf de l’obstinació by Rafael Vallbona is a short but powerful biography that portrays the Catalan cyclist from a deeply human perspective. Beyond results, it focuses on his character: perseverance, humility, and the belief of someone who never stopped chasing his dream of turning pro, even when the path became difficult.
Through testimonies and anecdotes, the book builds the portrait of an honest, determined rider deeply in love with cycling, turning his story into an example of resilience both on and off the bike. A brief but meaningful read that captures the essence of the sport.
Un segle costa amunt: una història política del ciclisme by Ramon Usall is a must-read for anyone who thinks sport and politics don’t mix.
Cycling has never been just a sequence of stages and overall standings. It has served as a platform for ideologies, a tool for propaganda, a symbol of collective identity, and a reflection of the social conflicts of each era. The roads the peloton rides also run through historical contexts, territorial tensions, and cultural change. Just look at La Vuelta 2025.
Biographies of cycling’s great figures
Some cyclists defined an era through their victories. Others did so through their complexity and their lives beyond racing. Controversial figures, idols under immense pressure, extraordinary talents struggling to find balance off the bike, champions carrying the weight of a nation.
These biographies aren’t just sports stories—they’re human ones, full of light and shadow. They explore glory and downfall, brilliance and fragility, decisions that change destinies. They remind us that behind every race number is a person—and that the line between legend and tragedy can be as thin as the gap between two cobblestones.
Reading them isn’t about sensationalism, but about understanding a sport that demands everything—and sometimes gives very little back. Here are three:
The Badger. Bernard Hinault and the Fall and Rise of French Cycling
God is Dead: The Rise and Fall of Frank Vandenbroucke, Cycling’s Great Wasted Talent
Which cycling book should you gift?
If you’re still unsure after this guide, here’s a quick breakdown:
- For someone new to cycling or a Tour fan: Crónicas sobre ruedas: El Tour de Francia
- For a La Vuelta enthusiast: Crónicas sobre ruedas: La Vuelta a España
- For a seasoned cycling fan: The Monuments, The Descent, or Racing Through the Dark
- For readers interested in history and politics: Un segle costa amunt
- For cyclists who love photography and great aesthetics: Mountain High (and its sequel)
- For gravel enthusiasts: En bici gravel per Catalunya
- For biography fans: Merckx, Hinault, and God Is Dead
These cycling books offer another way to ride—slower, more thoughtful, yet just as intense as time spent on the road. We hope this list helps you discover your next read, choose the perfect gift, or even inspires you to hop on your bike the moment you finish the last page. And if you want to bring those stories to life on your own rides, Siroko’s cycling apparel and accessories, designed for both men and women—deliver style, performance, and comfort for every discipline.
