Science Of Cycling by David Bailey - Books

Science of Cycling

By David Bailey Sports & Outdoors 13/01/2026

What causes an energy “bonk”? How do you avoid “cracking” on a climb? What’s the best way to improve mitochondrial performance? Should you ride harder into a headwind or with a tailwind at your back – and why should crosswinds be tackled diagonally? Can rougher fabrics sometimes be more aerodynamic? Is the peloton a superorganism and should we be afraid?!

Cycling melds the human body to an engineering marvel and pits them collectively against geography, gravity, and the elements. Little wonder, then, that the cycling experience – and your cycling form – is enriched and transformed by scientific understanding, to a greater extent than perhaps any other sport.

More easy to digest and stimulating than an energy gel, and more visually stunning than a ride in the Alps, Science of Cycling takes the varied and remarkable science of the bicycle, the cyclist, and the bike race, and makes it accessible to everyone.

While knowledge is power, what you really want to know is how precisely it can boost your watts-to-kilogram ratio on the road. Which is why Science of Cycling translates all this know-how into practical steps to boost your cycling form, allowing you to create a full-spectrum training program of varied session rides, targeted strength exercises, bike handling practice, and efficient fueling regimes to help you get fitter, leaner, faster – and freer to roam.

Wherever you want to take your love of two wheels – whether you just need to get out and get fit, start moving up the (virtual) bunch, or aim to climb the podium – Science of Cycling will get you there faster.