One Way Road: The Autobiography of Robbie McEwen

by Robbie McEwen and Ed Pickering
4 stars 4 comments

The autobiography of three time Tour de France Green Jersey winner.

Available Formats

Synopsis

Professional road cyclist Robbie McEwen will do whatever it takes to win on a bike. He is proud of his reputation as a 'competitive little bugger' and 'a bit of a hard bastard in the peloton', yet he is at pains to point out that what he's channelling is not rage or aggression but a fierce determination and razor-sharp focus. Here, in his own words, Robbie reveals what has made him one of the most successful road cyclists of the last 20 years, winning over 200 professional races and three Tour de France green jerseys. From his teen years in Brisbane winning just about every possible title for his age group at BMX, to his road-cycling apprenticeship at the Australian Institute of Sport before signing his first professional contract with Rabobank, right up to the present day, living in Belgium and riding for RadioShack, this is the complete picture of the inimitable sprinter. Robbie is every bit the feisty, single-minded battler that his fans know and love, but he is also a father and husband who likes hanging out with his mates and having fun. As he puts it, 'Most of the time, I'm Dr Jekyll. Mr Hyde only makes rare appearances, but unfortunately people judge him, not me.' Here, with his characteristic candour and energy, Robbie sets the record straight.

Editorial Reviews

"Required reading here for the army of wannabe pro cyclists who aspire to follow in the slip-stream of one of our greatest road warriors.
Very interesting reading for any fans of McEwen, who can revisit his life and career in very good detail. And damn fine reading for anyone who doesnt know much about the world of pro cyclying but wants to learn." - GS, Inside Sport

"McEwen and co-author Edward Pickering have a gift for taking you into the peloton with all its little plays and arabesques.
He has the reader riding with him in the pack as he ponders his chances mid-race, so to speak." - Paul Simpson, Kalgoorlie Miner

Click to rate 0 stars

Your Reviews

  1. Born Rider4 stars

    15 October 2011 at 6:04pm

    Report

    a fantastic insight into professional cycling by the greatest sprinter of his generation

  2. Brett5 stars

    16 October 2011 at 6:03pm

    Report

    One of the best sport's bios I have ever read. Really felt like I was part of the action. Tough sport and you're a champion Aussie.

  3. John Frame0 stars

    22 February 2012 at 3:05pm

    Report

    Robbie McEwen's "One Way Road" is a truly engaging read throughout. I like that it's so honestly in Robbie McEwen's own very Australian voice - to the point where readers from other countries might have welcomed a "glossary of terms". I also like that his writing is so detailed that at times I felt not only the intense adrenaline rush of watching the Tour - but also had to flinch and look away from the sections where he's telling us about the crashes and injuries. This is a privileged view of what makes a professional cyclist tick, and particularly allows us to glimpse the psyche of someone who is balancing a fierce determination to win, against the reality that there's a limited window of opportunity in which to do so. Robbie knows his talents, strengths and limits - and that there is life after sport. After reading this you will agree that he's worked incredibly hard to earn and enjoy the best of life.

Comment

Comments as a guest, or become a member - Log in or Register

Others Also Viewed