I'm one of the folks who first learned of Petersen through the New Yorker profile on him.That profile may have created an unrealistic expectation for this book, because I expected something richer and quirkier than this dry pronouncement of opinions on bicycle culture. He does cover almost all aspects of bicycling, so much so I was kind of surprised he didn't offer an opinion on the song Bicycle Race by Queen.

It's a bit bay area-centric and the racer/unracer dynamic really isn't that dramatic. Still, there's practical advice aplenty and I'm inspired to pull out my 7 speed cruiser for around town riding come slightly warmer weather.