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The son of a wrestler turned cycling coach called Killer Kowalski, Rob Hayles was soon winning races himself and realizing that he didn't really want to work for a living. The world of amateur club cycling in the 1990s was a long way from the millionaire sport of today though. When Rob first rode for Great Britain, it was with his own bike, one spare tyre, and a hand-me-down jersey.Yet Rob became an integral part of the amazing success story of British cycling, and has been at the centre of the sport for the past two decades. With Bradley Wiggins, he was a member of the first GB team to become world champions at the team pursuit, the most demanding and thrilling discipline on the track. With teammate David Millar, he witnessed first-hand the drug-strewn, often demeaning life of the professional road cyclist. And as Mark Cavendish's training partner, Rob has been the experienced influence at the side of the fastest man on two wheels.Easy Rider is an unforgettable journey through revolutionary times. Sharp, down-to-earth, packed with anecdotes and just plain fun, it takes you from the humblest of beginnings through a golden era in British cycling.
About the author
After narrowly missing out on selection for the Barcelona Olympics, Rob Hayles won the first of 22 national titles in 1993 and turned pro two years later. He won Olympic bronze in the team pursuit at Sydney 2000, then silver in the team pursuit and bronze in the Madison with Bradley Wiggins in Athens in 2004, before becoming a world champion in both disciplines in 2005. Rob became national road race champion in 2008 before retiring in 2011 after 27 years of racing. As well as helping the development of a new generation of British cyclists, most notably Mark Cavendish, he now commentates and presents for British Eurosport, BBC Five Live and ITV.
Summary
The son of a wrestler turned cycling coach called Killer Kowalski, Rob Hayles was soon winning races himself and realizing that he didn't really want to work for a living.
