Book Review - Panic Stations at Ski Stations

We’ve known Conor since he was first a guest here at the Villa back in May 2016.

He spoke to us on that trip about his desire to write a book of his experiences of riding all of the climbs used in the Tour de France - well here is that book, and it’s not quite what you might expect.

Whilst riding and researching the famous climbs of the Tour de France, Conor discovered his fear of heights was much more serious than first thought. His book details his love for the Grande Boucle and his journey towards a breakdown.

The book contains some wonderful snippets from the history of the race, some stats and details we can all relate to about all of those climbs and Conor’s own views on each of them. But then it becomes more than just an ode to cycling.

“ With only the two television cameras focusing on Fignon at the front and Delgado in the yellow jersey, Roche started closing the gap … ”

Conor came to realise during his training and tackling those epic rides that he had a pretty serious anxiety problem. Initially dismissed as a fear of heights that could be conquered it was allowed to take root and become established.

“ My prayers were answered when an elderly Dutch couple kindly agreed to drive me down to Bourg d’Oisans. ”

Contains some choice language and it’s a mix between a reference book or travel guide in terms of the climbs - you can flick through the chapters to find the climbs you know or are going to tackle; and the chronological in terms of Conor’s realisation of his wider troubles as his struggles which finally manifest physically become more apparent.

Road Cyclists will certainly enjoy the detail and history in the book, but there’s a wider audience who will relate to Conor’s mental struggles too.

Conquering the Col de Peyresourde in May 2016

We enjoyed reliving those snippets of history, the detail on the climbs that we know here around Luchon and the honesty with which Conor has written his personal story.

It’s been added to our Bookshelf, and we suggest you add it to yours too.