Gironimo! Riding the Very Terrible 1914 Tour of Italy by Tim Moore

Gironimo! Riding the Very Terrible 1914 Tour of Italy Reviews

• 
  Monica

  I thoroughly enjoyed this romp through Italy. I listened to the audio book narrated by Gildart Jackson and he was excellent. This was a bit of a farcical journey attempting to recreate (arguably) the most grueling, bike race in history. Moore has to search far and wide to find a 100 year old bicycle that was capable of making the journey. His bike ends up being not quite authentic due to the passage of time (impossible to find authentic tires capable of making the trip for example), but old enough and his journey to garages and barns and storage buildings in search of authenticity was amusing. What made the Giro so horrible was the length of the stages (many were well over 200 miles long) , the time of year it was run, the conditions of the roads in 1914, and the equipment which was not as comfortable or efficient as the bicycles that we use today (for example back then, gears were a thing of the future). Throughout the journey, Moore is spouting history of cycling, of the 1914 race and providing a tour of Italy with it's sleepy towns etc.
  
  I liked this book more than I thought I would. Moore is very funny and there were many laugh out loud moments but it was also filled with a lot of history that I found interesting. Admittedly lots of the humor will be lost on people who are not familiar with cycling; but there is still a lot of fun to be had for the non-cyclist who enjoys snarky British witticism. For me, this was a very fun ride!
  
  4 Stars
• 
  John

  Not a lot to say here... Moore's self-deprecating humor did come through at times, but the book got off to a slow start, detailed background and preparation, before his journey kicked off. Also, I wasn't really interested in the 1914 story and participants, nor minutiae of cycling in general. So, cyclist Moore fans would appreciate the contents most.
  
  Jackson's audio narration a good fit for the material.
  
• 
  Bettie

  
  Bettie's Books
  
  
• 
  Kris

  3.5 stars.
• 
  Paul

  The Giro. It is Italy's own grand tour and takes place at the end of May and has been held since 1909.
  
  The 1914 Giro was one of the toughest that ever took place with only eight, yes eight, finishers at the end of the Tour from a start number of 81. Some of the stages were in excess of 400km long, and the competitors would start at midnight, and ride for around 24 hours.
  
  And it is was this infamous tour that Moore decides to replicate. He has also chosen to ride it on a bike that is 100 years old with wooden rims and cork brakes and some genuine woollen garment. None of your lycra in those days. He builds the bike, a Hirondelle, himself with a lot of help from able assistants and other mechanically adept people and following a scant amount of training, boards the plane to Milan.
  
  Moore tries where possible to follow the original route, but as there was no map kept, and roads have changed then it is not always as easy to do. The lack of training is immediately apparent, as well as the the very sharp learning curve that is the Italian traffic system. He writes about his experience in hotels and guest house from the truly superb to the frankly appalling. He easts an awful lot of pizza and tries his best to reduce the Italian red wine lake.
  
  Moore writes in an easily accessible style, he is witty and on occasions very very funny. He has a keen eye and there is plenty of detail of the people and place that he travels through on his own tour. It is not quotes as good as French Revolutions, his book on the Tour de France, but I really enjoyed it.
• 
  Bob Schnell

  Advanced reading copy review Due to be published May 15, 2015
  
  British travel writer and humorist Tim Moore takes on a bicycle trip through Italy challenge in "Gironimo!". I've never read Mr. Moore's work before and I haven't been on a bicycle since the 1970's but, once again, my last minute grab at the ARC pile at work has led me to a wonderful discovery. The book is equal parts travelogue, adventure, history and all chuckle-to-guffaw funny. It helps if you have a working knowledge of British pop culture from the 1960's onward.
  
  The book title pun references not only the Native American inspired shout before leaping into danger but also the grueling Giro d'Italia race of 1914 that the author attempts to re-create on a vintage bicycle and in vintage gear. The first chapters setting up the challenge were the least interesting to me as Mr. Moore pieces together his antique velocipede with wooden rims and suffers the scorn and incredulity of master wheel builders and frame-makers. Once the trip gets underway, so does the flow of the narrative. Every leg of the journey gives us a look at that section of Italy, how it was part of the original race, what part it may have played in European history and, of course, the author's pain, embarrassment and despair as he rolls through cities and towns looking ridiculous. At times his stubbornness is the only thing keeping him upright and pedaling. I was repeatedly reminded of one of my favorite movies, Breaking Away (
  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078902/), but starring Eric Idle instead.
  
  I will definitely seek out other books of Mr. Moore's. His sense of humor is pitch perfect to my generation's mass media consumption. Sly references abound, from the Beatles to Dr. Who, H.G. Wells to Top Gear and plenty more that I'm sure sailed right by me.
• 
  Tuck

  if you're a tim moore fan then you;re already sold and know this is funny, a bit poignant, has pretty good geographical and historical nuggets, and is quirky and irreverent.
  moore builds his own bike out of a old old frame, wooden rims, old seat and handlebars, even makes a drinks carrier for the front, 'like they used to do", then rides the deadly 1914 giro de italia, unsupported. he sort of already has expericne doing long distance unsupported rides, doing the tour de france solo
  French Revolutions: Cycling the Tour de France but this italian circuit is a whole nother level of insane, and fun , always fun with tim moore. his maniacal pizza and spaghetti and clams diet though... crazy.
• 
  Ron S

  Tim Moore retraces the route of the 1914 Giro d'Italia in true mad dogs and Englishman form, astride a wooden rimmed gearless vintage bike in period gear. You needn't be a cyclist to enjoy this book, although if you are, the enormity and folly of Moore's undertaking will be more properly understood. A great read for fans of A.J. Jacobs, cyclists, and those that enjoy comedic traveler's tales or with an interest in Italy.
• 
  Laura

  From BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week:
  Tim Moore retraces the route and tells the story of the 1914 Giro d'Italia bicycle race.
• 
  Christine

  Not as enjoyable as French Revolutions, still quite fun to listen to.
• 
  Nathan Albright

  The ending of the first paragraph gives the reader a good idea of what to expect for this volume as a whole, and presumably the author's entire body of work, which I am about to become a lot more aware of since I requested several books of his from the library:  "Their geriatric struggle demands sombre respect, but doesn't get it, because the man is wearing a giant Rubettes cap and blue-glassed leather goggles, and when he comes to a squeaky halt in the lay-by his woollen-pouched nuts slam stoutly down into the crossbar (vii)."  Make no mistake, this is a very earthy book by a cycling [1] enthusiast and apparently popular writer on travel and bicycling.  If you like bicyling and can tolerate a middle-aged author humblebragging about his heroism in doing an insane historical reenactment stunt while continually talking about the battered and abused state of his genitals while making humorous observations on those he encounters, you will probably enjoy this book.  I found the author a bit crass for my tastes, but in all other aspects refreshingly Nathanish.  Take that as you will.
  
  Like many books, this one has an interesting pacing over the course of its roughly 350 or so pages.  Frustrated with the cynicism and professionalism of the contemporary Tour de France, which he documented in a previous book--one on my reading list--the author decides to tackle the most punishing race in history, the 1914 Giro d'Italia, won by an obscure biker who was cycling's version of a "one hit wonder."  He decides, though, that he wants to race it in a period bicycle, which results in some hilarity as he attempts to learn how to put together a bicycle and acquire enough spare parts to make it on a gruelling Milan-Milan circuit.  He meets a lot of colorful people and writes in a self-effacing way about himself as is typical for this sort of sports journalism, and ends up being able to make it through the entire tour, albeit in more time than it took them.  He also seems to find himself viewed as somewhat heroic for engaging in the undertaking, reveling in his reputation as the crazy Englishman on an ancient bike.  Moreover, the ride seems to give him the excuse to engage in some self-reflection and also revive his faith in cycling--all in all--the book has the feeling of a successful effort in pilgrimage despite the suffering the author seems to undergo because of his equipment and his general lack of competence in Italian or bike repair.
  
  It's easy to like this book.  Again, this is an extremely earthy author who takes delight in somewhat crude humor, but that failing aside, the author comes off more as endearing than profane.  The author's framing of himself is deeply strategic.  By painting himself as endearingly incompetent, more than a little bit awkward and harmlessly eccentric, he makes his somewhat slow trip around Italy on an antique but sturdy bike a heroic journey rather than something to treat with ridicule and contempt.  By humbling himself, he allows a sympathetic reader to honor him.  This would have been insufferable to read from someone like Lance Armstrong, but the author strikes just the right tone to make this an enjoyable read.  The combination of the author's mastery of tone and his vivid descriptions of elderly Italian women trying to mow him down along with the lighthearted photos and drawings that liven up the text make this a winning volume and a good reason to see if there is a translation for the history of the 1914 Giro d'Italia referred to so often by the author.  This is a book that encourages the reader to find more books, which is always the sign of a champion in my book.
  
  [1] See, for example:
  
  
  https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
  
  
  https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
  
  
  https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
  
  
  https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
• 
  Darius Murretti

  I had the great pleasure of listening to this for 12:32:48. As a cyclist I found it very relatable and very funny!!
  
  Note : Despite his work ethic, charming personality and noble heroic character and the man's diet is terrible his kidney stones are from all the baked goods he eats. His diet was so poor its no wonder he feels old at only 48...
• 
  Marti

  The Giro is the name of a bike race in Italy similar to the Tour de France, which begins and ends in Milan by way of Puglia. I know almost nothing about this sport -- except for Lance Armstrong whom the author despises with good reason -- and even less about a race that occurred in 1914 (which is to say nothing). However, after finishing this book, I think I can safely say on the author's behalf that comparing Lance Armstrong to the 1914 crop of riders would be like comparing Maroon 5 to The Who.
  
  As a paean to his 1914 idols, Moore decides to travel the original circuit on a vintage bicycle. As it turns out, fully-restored road-ready old bicycles are impossible to find, meaning he had to cobble together parts from junk dealers all over Europe (and proper braking systems had not yet been invented, making for scary descents down the sides of mountains). When it came to the actual ride, Moore's trials and tribulations make the achievement of those few who finished in 1914 seems truly impressive. The race covered about 3100 kilometers which took eight days of riding through terrible weather and enduring wildly varying altitudes and road surfaces. (Basically the equivalent of New York to Aspen, Colorado in August). Of course the Italy of 1914 was desperately poor which is the reason so many men were crazy enough to do this for only the equivalent of $20,000 in prize money.
  
  I have to say I laughed out loud at Moore's descriptions of Italian drivers, gravel roads, strange hotels and ghost towns he encountered (anyone who has experienced the traffic in Rome will immediately relate); all this as pieces of his antiquated cycle kept falling off. What amazed me even more was how many Italians understood and marveled that this crazy Brit was riding a 100-year-old bicycle (in a 100-year-old cycling outfit which made him look like a lunatic).
  
  I don't want to say anymore as it will ruin the suspense, but if you like sarcastic British writers, you will enjoy this even if you don't care about competitive cycling.
• 
  Anthony Stancomb

  The story of an enthralling, albeit gruelling, ride through Italy. The undertaking was indeed a mammoth task for anyone in middle age, but one admires even more the manner in which the writer describes what he sees – even his own sufferings. Reading the account, no one could not but feel the agonies. However, one is also hugely entertained by the stories he relates along the way, and what really enchants is the humour – and most of all, the author's self-depreciating remarks and the slightly sardonic tone of the stories he tells.
  In a book that is largely a travelogue, it’s difficult to pull this off, but he manages to do it, and it certainly keeps you turning the page, and wanting to know what happens round the next bend.
  It also gives a lot of fascinating information about the great riders and races in Italy - warts and all.
  Highly recommended, both for cycling enthusiasts and for us pedestrians.
• 
  Robert Dodds

  A very funny book, like his earlier 'French Revolutions'. Tim Moore combines a masochistic desire to drive himself and his ancient disintegrating bicycle along the most rigorous routes to be found in Italy with a sharp eye for observation of the people and places he encounters. Along with impressive energy, he has an even more impressive stock of original and amusing language with which to describe his experiences. The book is a little long (like the bike ride), but thoroughly entertaining.
• 
  Janette Mcmahon

  Crazy Italians and even crazier 1914 cyclists on what is said to be the hardest bike race ever the 1914 Giro Tour of Italy where 81 started and only 8 finished. Moore decides to do the route on a vintage cycle of the era and tells us of his adventure while also telling us of the harrowing 1914 race. Recommend to adventure readers, not only those interested in cycling. Moore is funny and is a test of endurance many can appreciate.
• 
  Joe O'Donnell

  Anybody familiar with Tim Moore’s series of humorous travelogues will know he is not a man for half measures or doing anything the easy way. “Gironimo!” is no exception to that stance, chronicling as it does Moore’s mission to cycle the entire route of the 1914 Giro d’Italia – long considered the hardest-ever grand tour in cycling history. And Moore isn’t content merely to navigate this cruellest, most brutal course that only 8 of the original 81 starters in 1914 were able to complete; he aims to complete it using a bike he has assembled himself from rusting, 100-year old components.
  
  “Gironimo!” isn’t quite as strong as the other two parts of Tim Moore’s trilogy of cycling histories; it doesn’t quite offer the same wealth of historical and socio-cultural analysis as “The Cyclist who went out in the cold”, or the same level of laughs-per-page as “French Revolutions”. And given Tim Moore is a generally a writer with an impeccably light touch, I surprisingly found the early chapters quite heavy going and laborious (as a cycling fan, but not an obsessive, much of Moore’s talk of sourcing various bike components was impenetrable to me).
  
  But, Tim Moore remains a remarkably engaging guide. Whether he is battling the attentions of kamikaze Italian drivers, trying to grind his way up an Alpine climb despite a recurrence of kidney stones, or grappling with a bike braking system made primarily out of old wine corks, Moore is rarely less than riotously entertaining. “Gironimo!” isn’t just an opportunity to laugh at Tim Moore’s tales of woe and suffering in the saddle. It is also richly interspersed with accounts from the original 1914 Giro of relentless cheating and skulduggery, and riders doping themselves senseless on strychnine (plus ça change).
  
  Fans of travel writing, cycling or Tim Moore’s previous work will find much to enjoy in “Gironimo!”, although “French Revolutions” and “The Cyclist who went out in the cold” probably find Moore performing more at the very pinnacle of his form.
• 
  Edwin Priest

  Tim Moore in this, his second big cycling travelogue, relays his adventures of first refurbishing a vintage bike and then riding it along the route of the infamous 1914 Giro d’Italia, listed as one of the most punishing bike races of all time.
  
  Moore follows the stories and characters of this terrible and masochistic race with humor and insight, as well as a small amount of self-deprecation and a slightly larger amount of griping. His tales and anecdotes are very funny at times, and make for quite enjoyable reading for all of you would-be cyclists out there.
  
  4 strong stars.
• 
  James

  When I read Moore's Model T adventure I anticipated I'd rush to read his other books, finding him naturally funny and drawn to his seemingly arbitrary challenges. This was still enjoyable but (metaphor alert) I had to split it into small chunks, as there wasn't enough variety for me to read it for too long and I wouldn't choose it as my read for a long journey.
  
  Moore was still funny, and that made a fairly repetitive 30 day trip of cycling and pizzas for dinner worth reading. Unlike many other comedy writers, he manages to avoid telegraphing jokes and is more deadpan in his delivery, which really makes a difference if you read more than a chapter a time. However, there was a narrower focus to this travelogue than the previous one I'd read, which meant that the standard prose wasn't as interesting, based on the 1914 Giro rather than the varied life of Henry Ford.
  
  As I'm more interested in cycling than motoring, this came as a bit of a surprise. But with more of a language barrier, there was less spontaneous larking about and more lost in translation confusion, which was understandable but not quite as entertaining, save the satisfying insults of LAnce Armstrong. It was still good, and made a fairly dull experience an enjoyable 350 pages, but had the main effect of making me want to go to Italy, rather than read Moore's trips around France and the former USSR. I will still do the latter though, just with more carefully managed expectation.
• 
  Nigel Kotani

  Fifteen or so years ago I read Tim Moore's 'French Revolutions' about him cycling the route of the 2000 Tour de France. Gironimo similarly follows him cycling the route of the 1914 Giro d'Italia on a period bike (with wooden wheels) in period (woolen) clothes.
  
  I found French Revolutions so side-splittingly funny that I read it twice. Gironimo was mildly diverting at best and it barely grabbed my attention to the end. I'm not quite sure why my reaction to the two books was so different, particularly given that the ratings for Gironimo on this website are relatively high. Perhaps it's that the two books are so similar. Perhaps it's because I know France better than Italy. Perhaps his intense dislike of many of the people he met in France added a frisson that was missing from the warmth he felt towards most of the people he met in Italy. Perhaps it's that Tim Moore's style is one of which I have tired - I've also read his 'Do Not Pass Go', which I again found mildly diverting at best despite it being about my home city and therefore on very familiar territory. Perhaps it's because, having loved French Revolutions so much I'm judging him by overly high standards and with unrealistic expectations.
  
  Whatever it is, this book simply didn't grab or entertain me. Disappointing.
• 
  Tash Gue

  Amazing story and really enjoyed the scenic descriptions of Italy- made me very nostalgic. I think the book was perhaps too long and I found by the end the narrative was a bit repetitive however.
  
  Overall still really enjoyed however and definitely deserves a read just for the sheer challenge of the ride.
• 
  Monica St. Dennis

  This book was in desperate need of a map.
• 
  russell barnes

  I can't say I'm not mildly disappointed with Gironimo.
  French Revolutions: Cycling the Tour de France is one of my favourite books, and this is pretty much the same thing only this time he's cycling around Italy on a 100 year-old bike.
  
  The standard Moore checklist is fully present - pizzas, technical incompetence, historical side notes, getting lost, over-estimating his fitness and being the world's proudest skinflint - but it feels exactly that, a checklist of the usual gags.
  
  The first half of finding and rebuilding the bike is by far the more successful, with a tight narrative neatly providing material for the self-effacing jokes, the rest (bike included) just doesn't hang together as completely once he hits the road.
• 
  Edward Warner

  What to do when you're stuck inside and would rather be on a bike, touring sunny Italy? Read this, by one of the funniest writers in English. In Geronimo!, Moore, who earlier rode the route of the Tour de France, another great and funny book, rides the Giro d'Italia, that nation's grand tour, on a period-correct 1914 one-speed bike similar to those in the 1914 Giro, which was likely the awfullest Gran Tour race ever -- only eight finished out of something like 40. He perseveres -- he's English -- riding the 1914 route from Milan to the south of Rome, in increasingly hot weather.
  
  I'm about finished and, frankly, I'm dripping and exhausted, but will not give up, either.
  
• 
  Abraham

  The author goes to impressive lengths to fully recreate the 1914 Giro experience, including sourcing and restoring full period bike, clothing and accessories, right down to the bidons. As with any journey that involves period equipment and clothing, interactions the locals are a key part of the entertainment; these, plus the no-holds-barred descriptions of the full depths of misery plumbed by the author in his period Giro quest make the story compelling. He is very self-deprecating throughout the book - he deserves to feel more pride in what he achieved.
• 
  Ben

  As an avid cyclist myself I occasionally look for books that that fit this genre. Tim Moore's Gironimo! is a funny account at his attempt to follow the trail of the 1914 Giro D'Italia. If that wasn't hard enough he chose to cycle this rout on a bike from that era (we're talking wooden wheels here)!
  The book often made me laugh. It also gave me a better understanding of what the Giro and professional cyclist were about back then.
• 
  Julian Walker

  A middle aged guy, taking on history's toughest cycle ride - in period costume and on an antique bike he rebuilt himself - with limited preparation. The perfect ingredients for an entertaining travelogue for us to enjoy in the comfort of a far more relaxed seat.
  He is clearly a spoke short of a wheel but funny with it.
  This is my first encounter with his writing and I will be reading more.