The Climb

The Autobiography

By: Chris Froome

Narrated by: Patrick Doherty

Length: 14 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of the revealing, inspirational memoir from the British winner of the Tour de France.

The Climb tells the extraordinary story of Chris Froome's journey from a young boy in Kenya, riding through townships and past wild animals, and with few opportunities for an aspiring cyclist, to his unforgettable yellow jersey victory in the 2013 Tour de France.

A journey unlike any other in the history of cycling, Froome has crossed continents, overcome the death of his mother and conquered debilitating illness to follow his dreams and represent Team GB and Team Sky. He has experienced soaring triumphs, humbling defeats, a public rivalry with Bradley Wiggins and, most recently, the pressures of Lance Armstrong's legacy.

Extraordinary and life-affirming, The Climb is a story of determination, hardship and unimaginable success.

©2014 Chris Froome (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Lengai

What made the experience of listening to The Climb the most enjoyable?

A very well written and entertaining listen. It's refreshing to break free of the post Armstrong doping books and get back to the heart of the story.

What did you like best about this story?

Froome story is unique of how a young white Kenyan can rise to the top of cycling's world. I think after reading this book there is hope for our sport and some of it's top players.

Which character – as performed by Patrick Doherty – was your favorite?

Doherty does an excellent job, and even gets all the Swahili and African references right.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Inspiring!

Any additional comments?

Well worth it. Probably one of the best biographies of a pro cyclist.

excellent

the part about the bunnies was disturbing, but I loved the book. it's a book about hard work and taking risks.

Where Lance crushed all hope Froome brings it back

Would you consider the audio edition of The Climb to be better than the print version?

I tend to enjoy audio books for the fact that I can continue listening while I get ready for the day and in the car while driving. I can't do that with the written version. The narrator has a very nice voice and easy to listen to.

What other book might you compare The Climb to and why?

It a weird way, Wheelmen, but that was all the bad and negative side of the sport this brings you back to the light.

What about Patrick Doherty’s performance did you like?

He has a nice voice that I can listen to for hours, and did

Any additional comments?

What an incredible story, a young man came from Africa, overcame all obstacles to become one of the greatest cyclists of all time. I love that he does some pretty dumb, but comical things to get where he is. And he can even laugh about his nickname, Crash. This book also inspired me to get out on my own bike and cheer him on to winning his 3rd Tour de France. Lance crushed us all when he finally admitted that he cheated to win, Froome gives us back the hope that it can be done without chemical help.

Loved it!

This book was very easy to listen to and very well written. Chris is very honest and makes the journey so real. I would highly recommend it anyone!

A look at an unusual life

Not your ordinary story of an ordinary athlete.
Good onsite into his background.
Quite a bit of detail about his child hood.

I love Chris Froome more than ever

I felt like I was right there with him every stage of the way. Chris Froome is not only a legend in cycling but he is an ennobling example to emulate. He will always be someone I will admire immensely. His mother has so much to be proud of.

The Climb endowment

Excellent and honest book. It has made me a solid Froome fan! I recommend it to all cycling fans.

There's so much more to Chris (Crash) Froome

Great book and look into the story of why there's so much more to Chris Froome than one would ever imagine. The story of one of the greatest African/European cyclist and his ability to keep pace (abs then some) with many of the greatest cyclist in the world today.

Terrific Book!

Really enjoyed this book. Chris Froome’s backstory is unusual and fascinating. Also, really enjoyed hearing about his struggles and perseverance. He is a really likable fellow, who is not afraid to laugh at himself a bit. It’s refreshing to hear about his moral compass and gratitude. Also, I loved hearing about the TdF and other racers and races. Just sad the book doesn’t carry through to present day. Perhaps he’ll update it at some point. The narration was excellent (perhaps the best narration I’ve listened to). Five stars all around.

Chris Froome has achieved balance once again

This book is beautifully written. Chris Froome achieves a wonderful balance between the excitement of racing, the grueling training necessary to prepare, the politics of professional cycling, and an inside peek at the elite cycling culture. I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish and highly recommend it. Patrick Doherty’s narration is spot on as well which adds greatly to the enjoyment of listening to this book.

Incredible athlete and human being. Well read

What did you like most about The Climb?

I was introduced to the Tour de France because it came to Yorkshire this year and everyone was so hyped it was impossible to escape it. I hadn't heard of chris froome because I hadn't followed cycling before.

However he caught my eye when he crashed in 2014 TDF and I saw his wounds. Wow he just got on his bike and kept going even after he was all bloodied. I was intrigued and decided buy his book "The Climb".

Well what an introduction to the sport! I've now followed the TDF on Euro sport, watched YouTube videos, and read many articles about it. I'm hooked! It is clear that Chris Froome is an incredible cyclist. Probably the best there's ever been. I find him a fascinating man who has made cycling come alive for me. He has a story to tell for many rides.

It's written in a humble, modest and informative way. He is intelligent and humorous but what is most compelling to read is his passion for the sport. The journey and lessons he's learnt make for a compelling read both for me, a novice to the sport, but also I imagine an insight into cycling for experienced fans too.

What an incredible man he is. He is so inspirational. I found it interesting to hear about how he controls his diet and exactly how he pushes himself in training. "I'll just push myself half an hour more" -whaaaaat!? That is "the climb" and how he has reached the peak of the sport where he is today. But I get the impression if you asked him even now he'd still say something he's got to work on.

I was appalled when I read about the abuse he's had. From what I've read he is a clean and exceptional cyclist and people who continually question him about doping need to wake up and enjoy this incredible athlete. This is a passionate guy who doesn't even like a caffeine gel when he needs sugar.

Favourite part: it was all brilliant but I liked hearing about his relationship with Richie Port, his description of that incredible win on Mont Ventoux, the tactics of the team and how much he pushes himself to achieve his goals.

Surprising part: it was humbling to hear about how he was "eventually" tired at stage 19 of the TDF 2013 and sometimes needs to sit down in the shower to have some relaxing time.

Disappointing part: what a shame that he has crashed out of the TDF 2014 and that I haven't followed the sport earlier. He is not only a fantastic cyclist but also having read his book he is a modest, funny, quietly determined and nice guy.

What does Patrick Doherty bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Amazing accents!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I felt very emotional as he described the Tour de France win. Also the Mont Ventoux win and the battle against Cobo in theVuelta.

Any additional comments?

I now feel like I know him and admire the man and cyclist that he is. This is a great book which is fascinating and a real page turner.

Tour Fever! An incredibly interesting story.

Would you listen to The Climb again? Why?

I really enjoyed listening to The Climb, just in time for the Tour de France hitting North London/Essex.

Froome's story is quite unconventional. It is great to listen to a contemporary riders tale free from the demons of doping.

After listening to The Climb I went out and cycled the roads around Epping, a day before the Tour.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Climb?

The account of the hill attack during the Vuelta de Espana.

What about Patrick Doherty’s performance did you like?

His accents were very good, especially the South African.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me get out and cycle a lot harder.

Any additional comments?

Well worth a listen, especially when held up against Bradley Wiggins' My Time

Good listen

Very well thought read and produced. Story goes on tangents some times but still interesting. Good all round audio book

Great to listen to on long rides.

I loved this book, it gives a great incite to what is needed from a cyclist to ride in the TDF. Not only that Chris has a great story to tell. Was hankering for more when it finished. Fully recommend.

Unsung Hero

What did you like most about The Climb?

As a cycling fan I have often question where he stood in the mist outside of the media hype. For me he deserves all the plaudits anyone can give him. The book is flowing, well written and has the natural progression for a boy on a bike to a true legend in the making.

What other book might you compare The Climb to, and why?

It's not about the bike. It is comparable in that it is the entire opposite on all fronts. Both easy to read but one is clean and fresh the other distorted with lies.

What about Patrick Doherty’s performance did you like?

Flowing, easy to listen to, no complaints.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no.. happy to break it up as i am short on time

Any additional comments?

Great book

Good book

An interesting life story which is nice as it's not all about cycling. Bit of a pity how he recently said he won't cycle the next Tour de France. Goes against what you expect from him after reading the book...

Over all a good in site.

Over all a good in site to Mr Froome's life but dragged on a bit in certain chapters. And found it to get quite boring.

Great first book on Audible

First Book from Audible and really enjoyed it. Great for traffic jams and usually boring driving. Will get some more !

One of the best books I've read / listened to

Would you listen to The Climb again? Why?

I definately will, it was just a great allround story providing a real insight into the upbringing and life of a great athlete

Any additional comments?

Really enjoyable listen, great story and its made me really warm to Chris Froome

Poor narration,

Might have made the book at tad more interesting if Chris had narrated it himself. The narrators ‘over-pronunciation’ of foreign names, places etc was really annoying. Was slow to get going. The Wiggins stuff was interesting though.