Throwback book review: The Rider by Tim Krabbé

Previously reviewed: 27 November 2018
Rating: 4/5

There’s this small bike race happening at the moment. It’s called something like… Le Tour de France. Ever heard of it? It’s a bit niche, so don’t feel bad if you haven’t.

Of course, I jest. However, with Le Tour rolling around our screens at the moment, it got me thinking about a book I read and reviewed back on the previous version of TaleInferno: The Rider by Tim Krabbé.

So, what better time than to do a throwback book review on it? Let’s get into it.

It’s really fascinating looking back at my old review and reflecting on it now. From 2018 to now, so much has happened in my life, and I’ve swayed along a bumpy but enlightening journey.

I mean, we also can’t forget that there were a couple of years between 2018 and now where the whole world looked quite different.

And yet, there are many things from the review I did in 2018 that are still so current, and it’s actually quite startling (and comforting, to a point) that while so much has changed, some things are so similar.

Back in 2018, I had my finger on the pulse on a few sports I really enjoyed. Tennis and AFL were the primary two for me, and I also heard quite a bit about what was happening in the world of cycling as my then boyfriend (now fiancé) was an avid cyclist.

It was through him that I was introduced to this 150-page book, which told the story of Tim Krabbé’s experience during the 150-kilometre Tour de Mont Aigoual. For those who don’t know what that is, a quick Google will tell you that it’s a famous and challenging cycling route located in Cévennes National Park of southern France.

Aka. A Big Climb.

For those of you who aren’t aficionados in the cycling world (of which, I am definitely not), cyclists can be categorised into certain ‘types’. Now, I’m not going to list them all, and there’s every chance one I reference is going to be incorrect and I’ll look like an idiot, and that’s OK. But, these types include General Classification (GC) riders, Domestiques, Sprinters, Time Trialists, and a whole lot more.

The type of rider we’re interested in, though, is the Climber.

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I watch any cycling—even snippets of highlights on the news—and there’s some massive climb involved, all I can think is “well, none of them look like they’re having a great time” as it’s all gritted teeth or pained expressions as they push themselves to the absolute limit to get to the top.

Back in 2018, I pondered about what it would be like to be experiencing what they’re experiencing. To feel how they feel and to know what they think.

Back then, and even now, the storyteller in me was always curious to know more about people’s experiences and story. When it comes to sport, there’s so much intricacy in what a person has to learn and commit to, and the sacrifices they endure to get to the pinnacle of their sport.

We now have brilliant documentaries and docuseries that give us that insight, like Drive to Survive (yes, I am one of those girlies) and Tour de France: Unchained. But, before then, I experienced The Rider by Tim Krabbé.

This story provides a fantastic insight into the mind of not only a rider, but a climber, experiencing that teeth-gritting suffering.
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When I read it, I was surprised by it. I realised that, really, anything can go through a rider’s mind to distract themselves from that suffering. From life experiences of riding in different races and meeting other riders, to general passing thoughts—both philosophical and simple.

It makes this story really authentic and personal. It made me feel, at the time, connected to Krabbé in some weird ‘author to reader’ but also ‘passionate cyclist to passionate writer’ kind of way.

This book put my passions into perspective. While they have nothing to do with cycling, it highlighted that no matter the activity, we all connect to each other based on the feeling of passion.

This is enveloped in this story, which is shown in the constant suffering or the thought-provoking passages which continue to push you, as well as the rider, onwards on this journey.

And that’s exactly what this book is: a journey. We experience the ride. If we’re cycling savvy (which, as mentioned earlier, I most certainly am not), we might even be able to picture the exact parts of the road race that are being described. We start feeling the same feelings as Krabbé does, like the worry he feels as he cycles downhill.

The story also has this neat way in capturing when the rider is trying to distract themselves when they are suffering, and then shifting to when they need to concentrate on what they’re doing. The reader is transported into memories when the suffering is really kicking in, and then back to the real world when something complicated is happening.

Ultimately, to me, I think this is a great book. However, I can understand if people don’t enjoy it. It helps if you are interested in the subject of cycling, or even sports in general.

Nonetheless, there are parts in this story which are incredibly thought-provoking and can be connected back to anything in life. With an open mind, you can start to form the cycling stuff into your own passions.
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A particular passage on page 89 stood out to me that really captured this:

Why are we riding on? If you ask an alpinist why he climbs a mountain he’ll reply: “Because it’s there.”

As far as I know, no one has ever pointed out what nonsense that is. The alpinist’s will isn’t prompted by the mountain, it’s there even without a mountain. The alpinist’s will is not so petty that it needs something as random as the shape of the earth’s crust in order to exist. Even if the earth were as flat as a billiard ball, there would still be alpinists: the true alpinists. The true alpinist would actually be ashamed to have his will molded by things of an order as low as mountains. So only one question could rightly be asked of the true alpinist: why do you never climb mountains?

Back in 2018, I related this back to why I’m passionate about reading, writing and storytelling. And, now, I’m still moved by that passage and how it comes back to that passion piece and how I see myself fit in it.

Yes, I’m still passionate about reading, writing and storytelling, but there’s more now.

I have passion about helping the community and providing meaning through the job that I have. I have passion in sharing the knowledge I have gained to help guide and support others. I have passion to help others make sense of the reality we live in, and transition to the new normals when crisis and disaster hit, or when change occurs, through the power and art of writing and storytelling.

The question I asked myself in this reflection back in 2018 was: Am I shaped by the books I read and the work I do, or am I shaped by my passion and drive in search of the next story?

On looking back at this old review and this passage from the book, I think my question would be similar now, but expanded: Am I shaped by the books I read, the videogames I play, and the work I do, or am I shaped by my passion, drive and intent in searching for and sharing stories, in giving meaning, and in empowering others to feel and see it to?

Now, with all that reflection done, what did I like? I think you can get the gist from this throwback book review that there was quite a bit that I liked about this book back then, and I still do. I like how thought-provoking it is. I like seeing the switch between deep, philosophical thinking and reliving memories, to then suddenly being in the moment and feeling like I’m on the bike with Krabbé.

And, I really like the end. I won’t spoil it, but it’s not what I expected. I mean, if you know your cycling history, then it probably doesn’t come to much surprise. However, as I’ve said before, I’m not a cycling aficionado, so I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

The ending, however, hits home about what we do with our passions and why we do what we do.

And, what didn’t I like? Well, I’ll be real with you, I can’t really think of anything specific. I read and reviewed this back in 2018, and unlike other books that I have deep agonies over (looking at you One Hundred Years of Solitude), there isn’t anything coming to mind.

However, with that being said, it wasn’t until I looked through my old review that I recalled the events of the book and some of the feelings I had. So, I can say with confidence that it was one of those books that, yes, it has stuck with me, but not as powerfully as others. So, the rating for this book is high, but doesn’t quite make that 5/5.

That draws the end of this throwback book review of The Rider by Tim Krabbé. I would definitely recommend this book. Yes, it may be difficult to read if you’re not sport-inclined, but still… give it a go! You may find yourself having some deep-thinking moments with yourself about your passions and experiences like I did!

Have you read The Rider by Tim Krabbé? Did it make you feel the same way? Let me know in the comments!