Draft Animals

By: Phil Gaimon

Narrated by: Phil Gaimon

Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

Like countless other kids, Phil Gaimon grew up dreaming of being a professional athlete. But unlike countless other kids, he actually pulled it off. After years of amateur races, hard training, living out of a suitcase, and never taking "no" for an answer, he finally achieved his goal and signed a contract to race professionally on one of the best teams in the world.

Now, Gaimon pulls back the curtain on the WorldTour, cycling's highest level. He takes listeners along for his seasons in Europe, covering everything from rabid, water-bottle-stealing Belgian fans, to contract renewals, to riding in poisonous smog, to making friends in a sport plagued by doping. Draft Animals reveals a story as much about bike racing as it is about the never-ending ladder of achieving goals, failure, and finding happiness if you land somewhere in-between.

©2017 Phil Gaimon (P)2017 Tantor

I’m a fan!

I do have to admit I’m a fan of Phil’s. That being said, it’s not from his riding. I’d never heard of him until I stumbled across his YouTube channel. But his story, personality, and writing style have made me a fan. To me everything he puts out resonates with me. I truly like his stuff and the sense of humor with which it’s delivered.

Great listen. Narrated by the man himself.

Great anecdotal insight on the multiple issues of (barely) making it as a pro cyclist. Gaimon is funny and articulate, and it is obvious that the book was written by himself. Nothing like other ghost-written cyclist books (namely Armstrong's, Hincapie's or Hamilton's), this one was well worth the listen.

Great story and narration

Phil wrote an amazing story about his cycling career and does a phenomenal job narrating. I give it 5 cookies!

Entertaining and Real!

I really enjoyed Phil’s book, Draft Animals. I heard Phil on a podcast, then “got to know” him, his humor, story, and athleticism through his YouTube channel and was drawn in to hear and know more. He does a great job of keeping your engaged and involved in his pro cycling career with plenty of wit, funny stories, and a few edgy jabs at his peers and competitors.

While I’m an avid cyclists and mountain biker, I don’t have a lot of experience or knowledge about the pro world tour, and this book was written at just the right amount of detail and vernacular that you didn’t have to be a pure roadie to follow along.

I definitely enjoyed this book, Phil does a great job of narrating it himself, and would recommend to others!

thoroughly enjoyable read/listen

Phil's autobiographical record of his cycling career and parts of his life the intersected was fun and interesting, and gave me a better sense of how the sport works. I'm a fan of the sport, so I'm at least familiar with most of the people he talks about.

His reactions and judgments seem honest and, over the course of the book, reflective and well considered.

Phil Gaimon is awesome

I love that this is actually read by Phil. Im a huge fan of his “worst retirement ever” YouTube series. Phil comes across as honest and personable. And Phil, if you’re reading this- your English degree paid off! You’re a great writer :)

Hold on to your hoods!!

A story about the good guy winning with a bit of losing too. Grabs you by the jersey and doesn't let go till you realize life's about the adventure not the arrival!

Phil is hilarious

Phil is hilarious. This book is supremely entertaining from beginning to end. You dot behave to know a ton about cycling to enjoy this story.

Great story and funny story telling.

A fun listen with a good insight into the pro peloton. Phil has a good sense of humor. its a very easy listen.

Great story

Great story - Very human and personal and real, as always, from Phil. it sounds like he is talking directly to you, just you, and he does a very nice job reading it.