Covering interesting and varied philosophical terrain, Cycling - Philosophy for Everyone explores in a fun but critical way the rich philosophical, cultural, and existential experiences that arise when two wheels are propelled by human energy. Incorporates or reflects the views of high-profile and notable past-professional cyclists and insiders such as Lennard Zinn, Scott Tinley, and Lance Armstrong Features contributions from the areas of cultural studies, kinesiology, literature, and political science as well as from philosophers Includes enlightening essays on the varieties of the cycling experience, ranging from the ethical issues of success, women and cycling, environmental issues of commuting and the transformative potential of cycling for personal growth Shows how bicycling and philosophy create the perfect tandem Includes a foreword by Lennard Zinn, author and owner of Zinn Cycles Inc.

Foreword x
Lennard Zinn
Acknowledgments xii
Jesús Ilundáin-Agurruza and Michael W. Austin
Getting in Gear: An Introduction to Cycling - Philosophy for Everyone 1
Jesús Ilundáin-Agurruza and Michael W. Austin
Stage 1 the Varieties of Cycling Experience 11
1 Warm Up: A Surreal Ride 13
Patrick Vala-Haynes
2 Learning to Ride a Bike 16
Peter M. Hopsicker
3 Becoming a Cyclist: Phenomenological Reflections on Cycling 27
Steen Nepper Larsen
4 Unleash the Beast: Technology and the Time Trial 39
Bryce T. J. Dyer
Stage 2 Velo Virtues 51
5 Warm Up: A Test of One's Mettle 53
Patrick Vala-Haynes
6 Lance Armstrong and True Success 56
Gregory Bassham and Chris Krall
7 LeMond, Armstrong, and the Never-Ending Wheel of Fortune 68
Scott Tinley
8 Riding Like a Girl 81
Catherine A. Womack and Pata Suyemoto
9 Bicycling and the Simple Life 94
Russell Arben Fox
Stage 3 Re-cycling 107
10 Warm Up: When Two Wheels Meet Four 109
Patrick Vala-Haynes
11 Philosophical Lessons from Cycling in Town and Country 112
Robert H. Haraldsson
12 The Commutist Manifesto 123
John Richard Harris
13 Critical Mass Rides Against Car Culture 134
Zack Furness
Stage 4 Spinning Wisdom 147
14 Warm Up: Are You Real? Tony Meets Bishop Berkeley 149
Patrick Vala-Haynes
15 My Life as a Two-Wheeled Philosopher 151
Heather L. Reid
16 Cycling and Philosophical Lessons Learned the Hard Way 162
Steven D. Hales
17 From Shoes to Saddle 173
Michael W. Austin
Stage 5 Fair Play on Two Wheels 183
18 Warm Up: Pushing the Envelope 185
Patrick Vala-Haynes
19 What To Do Once They're Caught 188
John Gleaves
20 Out of Control: The Pirate and Performance-Enhancing Drugs 200
Raymond Angelo Belliotti
21 Is the Cannibal a Good Sport? 214
Andreas de Block and Yannick Joye
Stage 6 Pedaling Circles 227
22 Warm Up: Riding into Awe 229
Patrick Vala-Haynes
23 Taking the Gita for an Awesome Spin 231
Seth Tichenor
24 Stretched Elastics, the Tour de France, and a Meaningful Life 241
Tim Elcombe and Jill Tracey
25 Life Cycles and the Stages of a Cycling Life 253
Jesús Ilundáin-Agurruza and Mike McNamee
Notes on Contributors: The Cycling - Philosophy for Everyone Peloton 266