Book Review & Giveaway: The No-Drop Zone
29. Jun, 2011 
28 Comments 
Print This Article
In my hometown, there was a large group of cyclists who met a few mornings a week to ride a very hilly route on the edge of town. There were several friendly guys in the group who’d invite other cyclists to join them as the rides kicked off in the spring, but after a few miles, inexperienced cyclists would be left in the dust as the pace increased and the hills grew steep. I may have been fit back then, but my cycling skills weren’t what they needed to be and I was intimidated by that mostly-male group, so I didn’t join them and it was a lost opportunity. Perhaps you’ve been in similar circumstances or you are a new cyclist who has enjoyed riding and just want to reach the next level with your skills so you can join and keep up with the local cycling club. If that’s your situation, you’ll defintely want to read The No-Drop Zone by Patrick Brady.
The No-Drop Zone can help you take your road biking up a notch as you fine-tune your skills as a cyclist, learn to ride in a pace-line or pack, and just as importantly, train smarter. Brady offers good advice on making smart choices when buying your road bike as well as making upgrades on your existing bike to make improvements in performance, comfort and weight. There is plenty of technical knowledge to help the readers get to know their bikes much better, and the book takes one through some basic repairs from fixing flats to lubing chains and wrapping on bar tape.
One chapter is specifically addressed to women and it is a short one, mainly covering bike fit issues for smaller women. The chapter briefly touches on women’s clothing issues and riding in a group (“Make sure to stay aware of your surroundings always, and use the bigger men and the safer wheels for drafting.”) The advice on gearing (“smaller gears are the rule”) is a great start and I only wish it had been expanded on within this chapter. Most women aren’t as strong as most men and the key to keeping up with a mostly male group is to be smarter about using the right gears at the right time–for example, “mashing” the pedals as you ride uphill is just going to wear you out.
Several chapters discuss the best gear and training equipment to buy. Those chapters are definite must-reads to become educated before you make such an investment. The best advice in the book deals with the skills needed for riding in a peleton. An earlier chapter even goes through some of the skills you should work on before you join a riding group and a later chapter (“The Fred”) gives cautions on what NOT to do and explains cycling etiquette. As might be expected, there are overviews on training and nutrtion and Brady recommends a few of his favorite training books for those who want more specifics. But the basics are here and there is even a basic century training plan in the appendix. Lastly, to really appreciate cycling, you should know a bit about the famous races and races of all time. A history lover will certainly appreciate the quick overview of the most famous cycling races in the world and the who’s who of the best racers of the last thalf of the 20th century and into the first decade of the 21st. Read this and at least you won’t be asking, “Who is Eddy Merckx?”
Overall, this is a great book for you if you consider yourself an advanced beginner and are looking to improve your skills and join a cycling group which will make cycling social and fun while challenging you to improve your fitness and skills. If you’ve been in cycing for years, you’ll still find some nuggets of wisdom and information here that you will appreciate. It’s a great book to round out your cycling library!
Another Great GIVEAWAY!
IF you’d like to get this book for yourself, you may be in luck! We have TWO copies to give away to two lucky readers! Comment below for a chance to win. The contest will last until July 14, 2011. Please use your real name (at least a first name). We can mail within the USA or Canada.
That looks like a great book! I need those pace line skills!!
I definitely would like to improve my bike handling skills. I pretty sure one of this issues holding me back is my understanding of the rules and know this book could help. I absolutely love the title.
Daphany
This book looks like the perfect gift for my friend who is apprehensive about joining a bike club with me! I would love a copy!
This is completely about me. I am very intimidated by more experienced cyclists and haven’t joined a group because of that.
First! Can I win?
this does look like a cool book.
woo, sounds like an interesting book!
I am trying to learn how to ride in a group. Can’t wait to read your book!!
I would love to get a copy to learn to ride with a group.
I would love to read this book. I tried riding with the “beginners” group that met at our local shop but after a couple of rides I quit due to the fact that they would run off and leave me everytime. All except for the one guy assigned to the slow person because it was a “no drop” ride.
This books sounds like it’s right about at the same level I’m at, having ridden almost a year at this point and having just gotten my first proper road bike!
I’d love to win this book. I regularly ride with a large group and need to refine my skills. I also like to help less-experienced riders and might get some tips I can share from this book.
Thanks.
This is a book I need to help me develope better skills, advice. Sounds like a great book!
Sounds like topics I’d be interested. My wife and I have been spinning for years but she is afraid to get on the road for obvious reasons. I’d love to take her on rides. Can this book help me get her on the road?
Thanks,
This book seems perfect! I would love to learn more tips on riding. I just started riding again and have been riding with people and would to learn more.
Ohh, this sounds like the book I’ve been looking for! Bike fitting for short females, riding and mechanical tips, and bike history all in one place!
If I don’t win this, I’ll have to drop a birthday hint to the wife…
Would love to have a copy of this to help with teaching the newer riders in our group! I’m sure the more experienced riders could benefit as well; I’m always looking for new material to share in learning clinics!! Hope you are all well at Cycle and Style!! Isis Athletics is my new venture after establishing Girls in Gear…
sounds like a great book, I would love to win it!
I just started riding a few months ago and I’m hooked. I just started using clip in shoes and fell the first time out, getting used to them now…then, a defect in my ‘cluster’/chain broke, loud crunching sound/stuck and down I went twice in two weeks; so does the name of the book mean that I will learn how not to ‘drop’…just asking LOL! Anyway, I’m a 51 year old woman who’s also a 2 1/2 year Breast Cancer Survivor and I want to be an example to other women/girls that no matter what happens in ‘Life’ you should always pick yourself up and concentrate on the positives/blessings in your life…Enjoy Life and get out there biking, walking, running, etc. : )
I could definitely use some cycling tips!
I’m new to road biking…could really use the help!…the book sounds great!!
this book was meant for me! i am always dropped! and it can be discouraging. but i love to ride!
Would love to read this book. I started riding about a year ago and at the stage where I want to improve my riding to keep up with the boys. My husband and I would like to do more road riding while traveling in Europe next year.
Wow, I’d love to not get left behind just once! If only …. Some day!
Some of the roadies in our town are kind enough to wait for me as I pedal like mad on my fitness bike. Maybe a book like this could help me stay with the pack.
This book sounds like it would help me prepare for a century ride.
Sounds excellent! I love the fact it has cycling history too!!
I’m the person this books seems to be talking about–I really don’t know how to ride in a group and although I’d love to join in on some of the rides, I don’t because I’m intimidated! I’d also like to read the chapter on small women and bike fit. Sounds like a winner for me!!