To my great surprise I realised that too many list members are not acquainted with this truly outstanding book. So, let me make some propaganda for it.
'The Sweat of the Gods - Myths and Legends of Bicycle Racing'', by Benjamin Maso, Mousehold Press 2005, is an outstanding book that I wholeheartedly recommend anyone to read.
Benjo Maso is a sociologist who has worked in a number of Dutch Universities. He has been fascinated by cycle racing since his youth. He is also the Author of 'We Were All Gods - The Tour de France of 1948'.
Benjo also happens to be a good, and dear, acquaintence of mine, by the way.
Sergio
Pisa