Kickstarter Project - Ride Bike!

[Piaw Na]

I found this today: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/isolapress/jobst-brandt-ride-bike-book?ref=4ivtqo

I have Isola Press's "Rough Stuff Fellowship" book, and it's great. I've met Jobst Brandt a few times (and gotten advice from him on touring once or twice). So I jumped in and supported the book. I think Grant interviewed Jobst once for the Rivendell Reader, so I thought some of you might be interested in this.

I once went through as many of Brandt's ride reports as possible and built a list of all the hotels he stayed at more than once. Since his daily mileage was 2-3 times mine, I'd only stay in one of those hotels a few times a trip, but every time I stayed at a "Jobst Hotel" the quality of the food went up and the price went down, so I guess that makes me a Jobst fan.

Piaw

[chrisd]

I lived in the Bay Area and would frequently see Jobst when I was out riding. He also knew a lot about birds  (go figure). Jobst inspired me to do several of his epic Sierra rides. Loved Jobst's postings on rec.bicycles.tech. Whenever someone would post an opinion and sign off with PhD Jobst would would essentially rebut their opinion and say "so that PhD makes you an expert."!

Chris

[Piaw Na]

I got my copy just before labor day. Here's my quickie review:

It's no secret that I'd been a follower of the late Jobst Brandt for many years, and have indeed read all of his trip reports hoping to follow some of his routes and glean his hotel recommendations. When Isola press offered a Kickstarter copy of a book with photos from his various outings to the alps I jumped on it, knowing full well that most of the text would have been stuff I'd read before.

My kickstarter copy was a softcover with high quality perfect bound back. The binding is such that it's not easy for the book to lay flat, so it's best read with both hands on the book. The photographs and drawings are reproduced with high fidelity, including the faded photographs from his youth. The slides of course reproduce well with no hint of color fading. You get to see how much ice there used to be on the Rhone Glacier and on Grosse Scheidegg back in the 70s and 80s, and how the glaciers there are now but pale shadows of their former self. You also get to see how few cyclists there used to be.

I did learn many things in this book, including about his honeymoon drive through the alps, as well as the story of how he got into Stanford (yes, faculty kids do get legacy-style access to top universities).   The old ad copy of him leaning his bike way over on treadless tires reminds me that so many follow-ons (like Jan Heine) are basically frauds in terms of actually understanding the mechanics behind traction. The text is well organized and fun to read, including stories from industry luminaries such as Tom Ritchey and Joe Breeze (who's confusedly abbreviated as JBr in the book!).

The whole book oozes quality, and I reads it cover to cover in a night. You're unlikely to find it at the library but it will look nice on your bookshelf. Recommended.

On Friday, September 15, 2023 at 1:56:19 PM UTC-7 Michael Connors wrote:

I ordered the new book from Isola Press.  They are also printing more Bicycle Wheel books. The book is half pictures and half stories from his friends. Payment is in British pounds, but it ships from Traverse City MI.

[Jock Dewey]

Sp well done and worthy companion to ROUGHSTUFF. And 'thank you' Isola Press for job well-done and for what must surly be mostly a labor of love.

Hard to recall now, a time before Jobst and all of his cantankerous Jobstisms. He got really worked up over the 'no grease' on spindle threads. That's maybe my favorite. Seems we all needed a proper scolding now and again.

Anyone remember good old Robin Hubert...years ago now I suppose? He'd invoke Jobst in almost every discussion.  

Jock