Argyle Armada: Behind the Scenes of the Pro Cycling Life - Hardcover

"Johnson was there, as he puts it, "like a jellyfish" to record a chapter in the life of one of the quirkiest teams in cycling." -- "Bicycling" magazine "A happy medium between writing and photography...An insightful journey." -- BikeRumor.com "From pre-season presentations through the Classics, Grand Tours and beyond, Johnson goes behind the scenes, beautifully documenting the ups, downs and sideways moments of Slipstream Sports' 2011 season." -- "Paved" magazine "Mark Johnson has done a great job portraying an unrestricted view of the inner workings of the annual traveling circus that is pro cycling. Inspirational photography paired with an uncanny recollection of anecdotes makes "Argyle Armada" a must read." -- Peter Stetina, professional cyclist for Team Garmin-Barracuda "Argyle Armada" brings back a lot of emotion of a long season. It's amazing to see what a full year looks like in photos... "Argyle Armada" is a great keepsake from a great year." -- Christian Vande Velde, professional cyclist for Team Garmin-Barracuda "With vivid photos of the racers and support crew, Johnson weaves a narrative of physical pressures and business stresses...Johnson takes full advantage of his special access." -- American Society of Media Photographers "Johnson is a fine writer... secondly, he is a truly excellent photographer in both technical and observational senses. The illustrative part of this volume is finely judged and highly entertaining." --TheWashingMachinePost.net "Johnson rides inside the left ventricle of the team for a full year and the reader is rewarded with a raw and visceral look at how professional cycling is adapting to post-millennium strategies. ["Argyle Armada" is] a smart book written and photographed by a smart guy." -- Scott Tinley, teacher, author, and former professional triathlete "Argyle Armada" [is] an important book for all who are curious about what is going on behind the scenes in cycling. It's a look at the sport itself, through moments in o

From winter training camp on the cobbled lanes of medieval Girona, Spain, to hard-earned stage victories in July's Tour de France, to flesh-shredding crashes at the Tour of Spain in September, "Argyle Armada: Behind the Scenes of the Pro Cycling Life" delivers an unprecedented look at America's most celebrated cycling team. Embedded with Garmin-Cervelo for its entire 2011 season, writer-photographer Mark Johnson brilliantly chronicles the team's most intimate personal dramas and public celebrations. More than a book about racing, "Argyle Armada" is a portrait of life as a member of a pro cycling team during a time of painful transition for the sport. Johnson unveils the dramatic forces that Garmin-Cervelo must navigate as team founder Jonathan Vaughters tries to push forward his vision of a reformed sport. Along the way, countless difficult decisions must be made to keep the team competitive in the chase for ProTour points, money, respect, and fame. With all-access insight and spectacular colour images, "Argyle Armada" offers an unprecedented look inside a team battling for the future of professional cycling.