DRAFT ANIMALS

From the author of the cult favorite Pro Cycling on $10 a Day and Ask a Pro, DRAFT ANIMALS is the story of one man’s quest to realize his childhood dream, and the never-ending ladder of achieving goals, experiencing failure, and finding happiness if you land somewhere in between.

Like countless other kids, cyclist Phil Gaimon grew up dreaming of being a professional athlete. But unlike countless other kids, he actually pulled it off. After years of amateur races, sacrificing stability and living out of a suitcase, and never taking “no” for an answer, he signed on to a team in the Pro Tour, the sport’s highest level. DRAFT ANIMALS is an insider’s look at the highest levels of professional cycling.

From breakaway victories, to fending off overzealous Belgian fans trying to steal your helmet, to dodging cars at 50 mph while getting your team leader an extra Clif bar, Gaimon pulls back the curtain on life in the Pro Tour. DRAFT ANIMALS is more than just a book about bike racing; it tells the story of what happens when you finally achieve the things you set out to accomplish, and how they might not be exactly as you expected when you began.

PHIL GAIMON retired from laziness and computer games in 2004 and began riding a bike to lose weight. Now, after a long career as a pro cyclist, including two years in the WorldTour, he’s dedicated himself to sharing joy—through books, a cookie-themed Fondo in Malibu, Strava hunts on a YouTube channel, and podcasts. You can also see more about him here: http://philthethrill.net/.