Boulting's Velosaurus

Nov 6, 2024 3:39 PM

Author:Ned Boulting

Find yourself confused, nodding along when a rouleur relates how le biscuit was effrité (crumbled)? How today they’re feeling Angers (past caring)?

Fear no more, for Boulting's Velosaurus will illuminate, enlighten and, frankly, mislead.

In his Velosaurus, ITV Tour de France commentator and cycling writer Ned Boulting provides the ultimate lexicon of nonsense terminology surrounding the esteemed Tour de France. Featuring essential vocabulary like Alpe (an Alp), panache (riding with doomed flamboyance, conscious of the need to renew one’s contract), moutarde (any race that ends, begins or passes through the city of Dijon) and maillot (a jumper, obviously), Boulting’s Velosaurus is the ideal companion to all things peloton for linguistically-challenged fans of non-automotive two-wheeled sport.

'Deserves to be on any Tour de France fan’s shelf.' Cycle

Reviews

It’s a “dip in and smile” book that deserves to be on any Tour de France fan’s shelf.

—— Cycle

Britain's ballsiest explorer.

—— FHM

Hilarious

—— Soccer AM

Nobody ever wore the Arsenal shirt with more pride than Ray Parlour

—— Piers Morgan

Parlour emerges as somebody who is open and generous, always up for a laugh, rarely thinking of the consequences

—— New Statesman

Endearing and engrossing... what this book does beautifully is affirm that the enjoyment of football isn't so much about the game or the result, it's about the journey we, as supporters, take in the process.

—— The Football Pink

A timely celebration of non-league football... provides a great antidote to sport as big business.

—— The Bookseller

Football books can be a mixed bag, but Dave Roberts really hits the target with Home and Away.

—— The Non-League Paper

A cracking, beautifully-observed pilgrimage.

—— Birmingham Mail

A really good read. You don't have to be a Bromley fan to enjoy it.

—— Vanarama National League

A great read for anyone who loves football.

—— The Ball is Round

Roberts perfectly captures what it is to follow your team and the lengths that fans go to in order to get their football fix. And from these journeys it can be seen how Roberts' writing has been compared to Bill Bryson, with wit and warmth.

—— footballbookreviews.com

If ever there was an author that could capture the love for the non-league game then that man is Dave Roberts.

—— The Non-League Magazine

Getting the tone just right, the author's good humour shines throughout... there's a fresh-eyed quality to his observations.

—— Groundtastic

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