The Way of the Cycling Disciple: Publication & e-Book Sampler
Every once in a while, you stumble across a quote that changes your outlook on how you approach life. Of course, this requires that one does a good deal of “reading”, which is a problem for me, as reading anything that isn’t Cycling-related feels the same as doing “work”. I do the odd bit of it nevertheless, and in a recent such episode, I encountered a quote by Tommy Edison, inventer of several handy contraptions, including the lightbulb and motion picture:
Vision without execution is hallucination.
This brilliantly points out the fact that merely having an idea is nothing without the conversion of that idea into a tangible result. That, of course, is the elusive and difficult bit, but it is also the fun bit. Taking an idea from concept to reality is one of the most exciting and rewarding things a person can do.
It was about this time last year that James Spackman approached me via email and suggested we put a proposal together to do a book on The Rules. We loved the notion of this, and the Keepers set about putting a concept around this abstract notion, and a plan for how we might accomplish it. James provided feedback and guidance on how best to frame the concept, and led us through the proposal process. The proposal was approved, they made us an offer, we signed a contract, and turned around to stare down the business end of 70,000 unwritten words. Little by litte, we chipped away at it, and today, I am very happy to announce that the book has gone from concept to manuscript to editing to printing. What you see here are photographs of the actual book, printed and ready for sale on June 20, 2013. A free eBook Sampler with extracts from the book will be available free from June 6 to June 19. (Incidentally, the book will initially be published in the UK and Commonwealth countries; the US release of the book is expected in the Spring of 2014 through our US Publisher, WW Norton.)
The Rules stands apart from many blog-to-book concepts, where a book is little more than a re-publication of the blog’s archives. It was important to us that if people are paying for a book, that they are getting something they haven’t already read for free online. We also wanted to take advantage of the wonderful experience one has when reading a book; the sound and feel of a hard cover, the texture of quality paper, the creaking of the spine as you turn the pages, and the smell of the whole package.
The format of the book is very different from how The Rules are presented on Velominati. The book is organized into V sections, with each of The Rules aligned into one of them. The sections all have an introduction, and for every Rule, a passage has been written that either provides history or in some other way justifies the Rule, or provides an anecdote from our various lives as Velominati that might provide insight into why that particular Rule is in existence. The entire text is framed with a Prologue and Finale and topped off with an introduction by my personal Cycling Writer Hero, Will Fotheringham. With the exception of a paragraph here or there that was borrowed from our archives, the entire book is comprised of new material.
It gives us tremendous pleasure to see this project come to life as a real, tangible book. Special thanks to Sceptre Books for taking a chance on us. Words can’t describe our appreciation of our editor, Drummond Moir, who was the most incredibly patient man and guided us expertly through the process of write a great book. (Sorry for having accused you of being English, mate.) Thanks to Nikki Barrow, our publicist in the UK; keep your ears on the papers, radio and television waves as the fruits of her labors come to light. Finally, thanks to the Community for making this such a fun place that someone might want to do a book in the first place, and for tolerating our dull writing on account of all our creative powers having been drained into the book. I also suppose this means that the V Keepers should start considering themselves writers or, worse, authors. Strange to say the least, especially since I have always considered myself a software developer.
Keep your eye on the Sceptre Facebook and Twitter for the latest, and everyone rush to your nearest bookseller on June 20 to pick up your copy.
Amazon:
The Rules: The Way of the Cycling Disciple
Obey the Rules: A Free Extract (eBook)
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/[email protected]/Septre/”/]
@pistard
see, if you’d just finished that post off with a joke you’d have been able to slide by on the Rule #43 infraction…
@Mikael Liddy
How many Velominati does it take to change a light bulb?
Fantastic work Frank et al. I shall follow G’phant’s lead and head down to place an order soonest.
You rock.
No really… you do.
Rock
@pistard
Velominati don’t need light bulbs. They just lift their jerseys and let their neon-white skin illuminate the room.
@pistard
At least seven, four to ” discuss” the various merits of each type of bulb, this would ensure no vote could succeed, one to carefully craft the fantastically expensive bespoke step ladder used to reach the bulb, one to mentor to the changer, and one who would refuse to change the bulb as he preferred things as they used to be before!
Looks absolutely fantastic! Can’t wait to have one in my hands.
@frank With a name like Drummond Moir, has to be a Scot n’est pas?
@piwakawaka
You are forgetting at least one other Velominatus, who would describe the lightbulb changing process in an article so inspiring, that upon reading it one would immediately feel the urge to go and change as many light bulbs as possible, even if it meant replacing some in perfect wrking order.
Incredible work by The Keepers. Huge congratulations to all involved. I suspect the communities ranks may swell when it’s released. Be very proud!
@BarTapeMummy
As well as Velominati there’d be at last one twat who’d register especially to point out that discussing light bulb changing experiences is self serving drivel.
@frank and the Keepers Fantastic, can’t wait and I love the fact that it’ll be more than just a print version of the web site.
@pistard
None – Velominati are not scared of the dark
Very cool. Well done keepers.
Glad there is an advantage of living in a commonwealth country.
Congratulations for finishing this. Looks fantastic! (Which is really the whole point, isn’t it?) Can’t wait to read it!
COTHO just tweeted: “I’m not going to lie to you, I can’t wait to get a copy of ‘The Rules’! “
You had me at Hello !!!
Ordered !!!
Wow the book look awesome, can’t wait to read it.
This is truly awesome. Congrats guys!
-Dinan
@Chris
My vote for the +1 jersey this week!
Will there be an appendix regarding self-serving drivel??
@DerHoggz
Correct. In an odd way, its comforting to realize that people don’t read the articles very carefully; it means they don’t see all those mistakes we make all the time.
The book will be released in the US officially in Spring 2014, but people in the US should be able to order it from the UK site. Also, it would be possible for us to offer it for sale through The Gear if it turns out Amazon doesn’t let us order it from here. We’ll keep our ear to the ground and make a decision on that…
@Sauterelle
There is a photo in there that I’m not allowed to show online for which we needed permission from Paramount Pictures and Eddy Merckx in order to print in the book.
If you’re really going to meet him, we should send you with a pile of books to have him sign.
@harminator
Tom Cruise is currently slated to play me, with Hugh Grant as the stunt double and Ryan Gosling for the nude scenes.
There is talk of building a bike with 20c wheels so Tom can show enough seat post.
@RedRanger Go into a real book shop and buy it, Rule #58, and if Europe is too far away I’m sure the European velominati will do a nice line in sending it from here.
@pistard
What’s a light bulb? I push on the pedals until my hubs start glowing.
@williamtfox I would, but Im not waiting till spring of next year.
@frank I won’t be in Belgium until September. Need a few weeks to get moved in then off to the Worlds at the end of the month. So it’ll be a little while yet!
@frank
What not Kevin Costner?
I have a tiny part.
Well so Mrs Engine tells me.
@all
Love the enthusiasm, everyone. We’re all chuffed to the gills. Also very nervous that we didn’t catch all the mistakes, but as @Skip says, at least the damn thing Looks Fantastic, the content hardly matters then, does it?
@the Engine
Here’s the prototype machine Tom has been practicing on. He can almost balance on it.
Easiest one click order ever. Congratulations and well done to the Keepers. Estimated delivery date 24 June. The Jock in me still had to select free super saver delivery…
Last Amazon purchase? Baxter of California After Shave Balm. An outsider may remark that this community is having a bit too much of an influence on me?
@G’rilla
Didn’t say The Prophet would be the only one signing.
@frank
Here’s my plan. Find his address. Find his favorite charity. Send him a copy of the book, with a prepaid return mailer. Include a receipt for a donation made to his charity. A win-win even if it doesn’t come back.
Still a prized possession.
And no, I don’t know why it uploaded rotated. You get the idea.
U.S. preorder?
Congrats guys, definitely looks PRO. Think about a spin-off pop-up book for the kiddos.
As it is, after being tucked in, the girls recite:
“Now I lay me down to sleep/ I pray to Merckx The Rules to keep/ Shaven legs, no YJA/ No swim before, no run après.
amen
PS Please make Daddy a better climber”
So cool. I now know what all my friends are getting for Christmas.
I was just able to order it from the Amazon UK site for delivery to the US. My total was 15.84 pounds. I think that is about $25.00. It said estimated delivery was June 28-July 3.
@xyxax
Did you ever find a new n+1? What length top tube do you need? I don’t have anything myself but ebay keeps notifying me of nice large frames. I like to look…
@frank
Surely if wee Tommy C is playing Frank, the rules will need to be audiited? And will Frank’s house become designated as the world headquarters of the Church of Velominati? Surely Ewan McGregor would play Frank’s nude scenes – that boy likes to show some seatpost.
Keepers, this site has educated me and taken me from bike rider to Cyclist. Thank you. Cant wait for the release
@Gianni
Hey Gianni, I’ve got the ebay notification thing going too but haven’t found what I like yet. I’ve a fitting scheduled later this month, but based on current bikes I would say around 61cm TT which if it holds could get me the largest Colnago C-59 or C’dale EVO (my current stock frame preferences). If custom is required, I was thinking about Argonaut. I’m dead-set on a traditional geometry frame and selling one of the children.
@wiscot
I think Jon Hamm should play the nude scenes.
@JohnB
Aye, me too, kept it under a tenner. The price of a couple inner tubes, cannae whack it, ken.
this is really fun, i look forward to reading it.
wow, wonder where you got the inspiration for that typography……
In light of the upcoming book release, and the rules, I had a unique experience yesterday. Rode a 100 Km populaire yesterday in driving 48 degree rain. Just as I was beginning to feel like a badass, the route took me past a golf course where a few hardy souls were hitting balls on the driving range. One of the balls scored a direct hit on my right calf as I passed by – which was quite a trick, since I was moving along at 35 kph.
I’ve ridden in rain, snow, and 100+ degree blast furnace conditions. last year I even got clipped by an SUV. But never have I been hit by a golf ball. Are there any V points for this?!
@frank
I assume the production team have been instructed not to call him Little Tommy.
I guess that means Russell Crowe will have to settle for the part of Brett.
And Gianni?
Brilliant!
Frank, Keepers, this is the best news, better than I’m moving to a city with a beach and a velodrome! With this displayed prominently on the coffee (sorry, espresso) table I will be launched into the hippest of the hip 2 wheeled intelligentsia In my new city.
Which reminds me there is the best independent bookstore, so I will get you booked in for a US prerelease reading 2014 winter if you bring your track bike!
Huge congrats, can’t wait to delve into the finer minutiae of The Rules.
@xyxax
“Now I lay me down to sleep/ I pray to Merckx The Rules to keep/ Shaven legs, no YJA/ No swim before, no run Après amen
PS Please make Daddy a better climber”
This should go into the Velominati archives in the religious section so we all could benefit from its vibe! And let me know how that PS is working???
@Harminator
Your genius, Mcconaughey is Gianni aged 16 when he had all his hair.