Faster

The Obsession, Science and Luck Behind the World's Fastest Cyclists

By: Michael Hutchinson

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

For professional cyclists, going faster and winning are, of course, closely related. Yet surprisingly, for many, a desire to go faster is much more important than a desire to win. Someone who wants to go faster will work at the details and take small steps rather than focusing on winning. Winning just happens when you do everything right - it's the doing everything right that's hard. And that's what fascinates and obsesses Michael Hutchinson.

With his usual deadpan delivery and an awareness that it's all mildly preposterous, Hutchinson looks at the things that make you faster - training, nutrition, the right psychology - and explains how they work and how what we know about them changes all the time. He looks at the things that make you slower and why they do so and how attempts to avoid them can result in serious athletes gradually painting themselves into the most peculiar lifestyle corners.

Faster is a book about why cyclists do what they do; about what the riders, their coaches, and the boffins get up to behind the scenes; and about why the whole idea of going faster is such an appealing, universal instinct for all of us.

©2014 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (P)2016 Leafblower Audio LLC DBA Sportybooks

Interesting, enjoyable, and witty

I am a bit surprised how much I liked this book. He took what could be a dry topic and made it interesting and informative. And he did so with wit and wisdom. Just about any type of athlete will discover something valuable in this book, but cycling, running, and triathletes will find this read particularly worthwhile. The book is not about specific training plans, but instead provides higher-level insights about muscle types, genetics, aerodynamics, and training. Now that I have finished the book I have to get out of the chair and on the bike so I, too, can be faster.

Great read!

This is a book about the author's personal cycling career mixed with research in the realm of peak sports performance. It has a nerdy component that appeals to people like me who like books like "The Sports Gene", "The Outliers", etc. A nice bit of humor mixed in to make an amusing read for people with interest in sports. A am a triathlete and enjoyed the insights.

Great! A mix of humor, insight, & information

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, what cyclist doesn't want tips to go faster? Train smarter not harder.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Faster?

Ice baths are evil... yippee!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I'll try anything once

Any additional comments?

Simon Vance was perfect! This book definitely fueled my ongoing quest for speed. Taught me a lot of what I shouldn't be doing as well as what I should be doing. It's peppered with humorous real life accounts and insight into what the biggest teams are doing in their quest for speed.

funny and interesting

I've read a few books on this topic area and so it was not so revealing for me, but a nice insight into Mr Hutchinson's life

Every cycling book is worth 5's.

Soon as you finish one book related to the sport of cycling, the question is usually what is next.

If just getting in to the sport, this might be a better book for later on. As for a the avid rider or even a little obsessed (me)... this is is a must listen!

Loads of information, great tales and well put together. Thanks

Faster

A very technical and enlightening book that is both educational and entertaining at the same time.

Great workout listen

I listened to this one while working out. A great match.

Also a good tour season listen.

Very Technical

Easy to listen to narration. If you love the technical nature of endurance sports and how the body works, this is a great listen! Really enjoyed this.

Absolutely brilliant.

I adore audio books and especially ones from athletes but this has been one is definitely topping my favourite list as one of the most insightful ones I’ve had the pleasure to listen to. I’ve just finished it and I’m going straight back to the beginning to see if I can get anything more from it, really brill. Excellently told with a great energy to the story and also made me smile several times too. The detail to this book is superb. Loved it.

Entertaining, informative, delivers prospective

I have read over 50 sport science type books over the years my first was a rare translation of the east Germany book Rudern circa 1985 and my latest prior to this Joe Friels Fast after 50. This is the only time that I have finish a chapter and re-read because it's delivered insight in a very entertaining way. I was just a bit disappointed Bernard did not get a mention!

Funny and interesting

I’ve always been a fan of Hutch’s articles and books and this is in his usual comic style but packed with loads of really interesting science behind the human body and cycling. Some great information, interesting stories and a really good narration.

Very entertaining audio book!

Specifically targeted towards fellow cycling nerds, this is a thoroughly entertaining listen which fantastic practical advice for the amateur cyclist.

Great insight into training and athlete life

Loved this book. Really Great insight into the scientific and human experience of being an athlete.

Brilliant cycling book

If you want to find out how to improve your cycling in a fun bit serious way this the book. It’s not mega technical but will motivate and guide you in better direction. With history of a man cycling and cycles. I have listened to quite a few cycling books and this one of the top ones, enjoy!

Physiology for cyclists made simple!

Thoroughly engrossing book narrated well. A must for endurance athletes of any discipline who have an interest in improving their understanding of performance physiology!

An interesting and well balanced book

This book will appeal hobby to serious amateur riders, to those interested in sports science. It strikes a good balance of anecdotes, humour, serious science, opinion and great insights in to professional athletes life and commitment. It is a good introduction to several aspects of bike riding and performance which you can then explore further in more specialist books.

Excellent book. Rubbish narration

A superb book. Witty and informative.

The narration is ruined by an embarrassing and unconvincing “ Irish “ accent. Dr Hutchinson is an experienced broadcaster and he should have narrated his own book.

great book. very witty guy and interesting story.

great book. very witty guy and interesting story. could see a follow up in the pipeline.