Heft on Wheels : A Field Guide to Doing a 180

Rating:
Summary: Fun and Motivating
Review: "Heft on Wheels" tells the story of how a man resolves to get his life in order, via a bicycle. Mike weighs in over 255 pounds, chain smokes, and spends 3-4 nights a week getting drunk. Mike admits he tends to become obsessive about whatever he does (smoking, drinking, eating), and decides to turn this tendency into something healthful-cycling. Mike begins to live off protein shakes and 300 miles per week on the bike. One year later he has lost about 80 pounds and finds he has transformed his life, although not necessarily for the better. In the process of becoming obsessive over his cycling, Mike feels he may have sacrificed some aspects of his teaching career, and pushed the limits with his marriage and family obligations. The Kafka, Camus, and Beckett references are minimal and fit the narrative, despite Publisher Weekly's negative comments. This book is a great read for cyclists over 40 and should not be approached as a guide to professional cycling, dieting, or training. It is however very motivating and has inspired me to crank up the intensity level of my cycling workouts.

Rating:
Summary: We Like Mike
Review: "We" being the many other middle-aged clydesdale riders.

Mike Magnuson decided to start taking his cycling seriously when he finally grew tired of being dropped on club rides. He had been cycling for some time but at one point he decided to quit drinking, smoking, and to lose weight - and he ultimately ends up completing some truly challenging rides like the "Bridge to Bridge Incredible Cycling Challenge" (100 miles of steep mountain ascents).

I read this book last summer and found it to be inspirational. Like Mike, I am a large middle-aged athlete, and I lost sixty pounds via cycling (and running, mostly) and various lifestyle changes. Right now I'm training for my eighth full (running) marathon in five years. Although I wasn't inspired by Mike to make the change, having done that five years ago, I found this book helpful as ongoing encouragement for me to continue my newfound habits. Unlike Mike, I still get dropped during hilly club rides, and I'm not as competitive as Mike, but I'm going to guess that he is a sort of hero to lots of people like me.

I am reviewing this book now because I just finished reading a novel, *The Memory of Running,* which has some similarities to this book. The narrator of that novel quit drinking, smoking, and overeating and rode his bike across the United States to ultimately find love, and to become an active member of the human race again. Mike Magnuson's story is much different. Unlike the passive, nearly "empty" character in *The Memory of Running,* Mike is aggressive and goal oriented. I like the way he made a plan and stuck to it instead of just letting success accidentally roll over him like Smithy did in *The Memory of Running*. Mike chose his change.

Some people have criticized Mike for still being a jerk, or for just replacing one group of obsessions with another. So what? Like Mike says on his website (lummox.org) - "(Do people expect) that everything in life is going to be perfect just because somebody quits smoking?" Of course not.

I enjoyed not only Mike's story but also his writing and I look forward to finding his other books and to future books as well.

Rating:
Summary: Great reading !
Review: A page-turner, inspiring, amusing, intelligent ...
I really like his style of writing.
When I finished the book, I started rereading it one week later, something extremely unusual for me.
And I found the second reading even better !
I'm reading a lot of books and I don't give 5 stars easily, but this book really deserves it.

Rating:
Summary: My Yellow Jersey
Review: Although we have all heard the countless stories relating to Lance and his impossible defeat of cancer along with his unprecedented sixth TDF win, the personal story in this book was much more tangible to me. I have now been riding for about 6 months and started at a weight very close to the author's. It was not only interesting but insightfull reading of his own personal triumphs and tragedies.

The book itself is a fairly easy read; having finished it in an afternoon. Having read of his experiences I find it motivating when I find myself on a bike heading into winter.

Rating:
Summary: Celebrating Denial
Review: Firstly, if you enjoy recreational cycling, you will most likely find some part of this book which speaks to you. It's a quick read with large print, so bring it to the pool this summer and enjoy. Aside from that, what I took away from Magnuson's "Heft on Wheels" was how lucky I am that I am not in denial the way he was and continues to be. This is the story of a guy who totally abused his 40 year old body with alcohol and food (and he still doesn't come out and admit he's an alcoholic) who then trades one obsessive behavior (drinking) for another (cycling). He completely ignores his wife and children to selfishly spend time on his bike, which he rationalizes and justifies in the name of getting healthy. Mind you, I am proud of the author for doing so (getting healthy), and it takes a lot of will power to go through the changes that he has. But knowing as many "addicts" as I do, I read the book from a different vantage point, and the pages drip with someone in denial. The book does not end with optimism, though it would seem that way. Being semi auto-biographical, I would like to have seen Magnuson get at the real root of his problems which led him to drink the way he did, or else he will find that one day, cycling will no longer provide that "siren song" that it has to date. I know. I was there too.

Rating:
Summary: Worth Reading (A Reader in Alabama)
Review: I am a 47-year old lawyer who has no connection to the author or the publisher of "Heft on Wheels" ("Heft"). On one level, Heft is the story of a man who uses cycling as the vehicle to end his long (and loving) relationship with alcohol, tobacco and excessive eating. My main criticism of Heft is that the title and cover give the impression that it is merely a weight loss or cycling enthusiast book. In fact, it is beautifully written memoir that compares favorably to Martin Amis' magnificient "Experience." Magnuson's writing is lean and vivid, especially his epiphany on Mount Mitchell. In the end, it is the story of a man who wanted to leave some things behind, but instead got a little distance (and perspective) on himself. You will find your own perspective sharpened after reading this short, but surprisingly hefty book.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing & boring
Review: I had high hopes for this book, thinking it would be both, funny & entertaining. Not so. For every 2 pages about cycling, you get a page or two about the author's non-cycling life. I suppose we all have our opinions---this text just didn't do anything for me, that's all.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I loved this book!!!
I am so glad that in the end, the author realized that he needs more moderation in life. The whole time I was reading it I was feeling very sorry for his wife- left to make a living and raise the family alone.


Rating:
Summary: Everyman on a Bike
Review: I was shopping for a bike maintenance book in my local bookstore and stumbled on this novel. The cover catches your eye; how could it not? I had to buy it.

I started reading that night and never stopped. It's a compelling story of a regular guy, maybe a little compulsive, getting his act together. I think most of us have, at one point or another, fantasized about making those huge changes in our life. Mike got fed up and did it.

While I read the story I couldn't help but think "damn, that sounds like me" over and over. Today I'm going for a ride. It could be step one.

Rating:
Summary: Great story, okay writing, good life lessons...
Review: Mike Magnuson's story really is uplifting and inspiring. To go from roughly 5'11" and weighing 250-260lbs down to 173lbs in a years time, exclusively thru cycling, is amazing. That really is him on the cover and the 'after' photo of him on the back, hammering up a ridiculously steep switchback, is stunning. And his love of cycling with a boyish enthusiasm is infectious. I say 'okay' writing because the books does sag a little in the middle and the timeline is not exactly linear or what you might expect from this type of book. Though the opening chapter on being hit by a negiligent pickup truck is the very best type of non-fiction in my opinion. His compassion and understanding for the offending driver is stunning and uplifting. Magnuson does lean on quotes from great philosophers a bit much for me and the selections don't always work with the moment in the book and can be a bit jarring. But I applaud him for openly exploring one of the most obvious realities about pursuing an endurance sport to a significant level; what happens to the family left behind? As throughout the book, he's open and honest and helps those considering taking up a similiar challenge to consider all the outcomes, good and bad. Overall I really enjoyed the book and found myself wishing him continued success. Hammerin' on big guy.