Shut Up, Legs!: My Wild Ride On and Off the Bike Hardcover – May 3, 2016

I always loved watching Jens take off in a breakaway. You never knew if it would succeed but you always knew he would give everything he had. He loves cycling and it shows every minute of a race. His book is among the most honest and personally insightful autobiographies I've ever read. Truly fun to read. He also talks about serious subjects like his distain for doping and how growing up behind the Iron Curtain gave him a different perspective on pro cycling, including concern for his team more than himself and a willingness to shun more money for ethical and other reasons. I expected a lot from Jens' book because of who I had come to know watching him during the Tour de France. I was delighted with the book. Just finished it yesterday. Wish there were more chapters to read. Good luck in retirement, Jens. I saw you on the NBC Sports network. Your insights into the race were spectacular. Keep talking. Don't ever shut up. Your candor and honesty are refreshing in a world filled with phonies.

Having watched Jens for years as a racer, I was excited to read his book. Despite my high expectations going in, I was not disappointed! The enthusiasm, sense of humor, and relatable style that won Jens so many fans as a rider come across on every page of the story.Unlike many athlete autobiographies, which read like a laundry list of accomplishments, or which dive deeply into the minor details of this or that race, Jens organizes his story into chapters devoted to different themes - "Crashes", "Training" and so on. The story progresses in roughly chronological order, but in any given chapter he pulls together events from different times to make a more cohesive and interesting picture than could be captured by a purely chronological work.While there are enough race details to please devoted cycling fans (especially about Jens' quest to capture the UCI hour world record), what I enjoyed most about the book was the glimpse into how Jens' personality was shaped by his upbringing in East Germany and his close ties with his family. The book is reads like a candid conversation with Jens. The reader gets a behind the scenes look at the Jens' friends, the development of his attacking style, his outspoken response to doping scandals, his sense of humor, his interactions with fans, and even this reading habits!Jens is one of the most likable athletes on the planet, and that fact jumps out from every page of the book. It's the most engaging cycling book I've read in a long while, and I think it would appeal to a wider audience than just Jens Voigt fans!

I couldn’t wait for Jens Voigt’s book to be released. When it was downloaded onto my Kindle, I was eager to begin reading. I was not disappointed. I enjoyed SHUT UP LEGS! MY WILD RIDE ON AND OFF THE BIKE by Jens Voigt with James Startt very much and read it nonstop over the past few days.I could hear Jens Voigt’s voice in my head as I was reading and I smiled often at his language and expressions. He writes and commentates exactly as he talks - it is very refreshing. There is nothing coy or stilted or reserved.Jens seems to be quite a character on and off the bike and his personality shines through on every page.I like the conversational style of the book; the arrangement of the book starting with the title, cover, the chapter progression, the introduction, acknowledgements and photos.Every chapter is interesting and his observations, insights, friendships, difficulties and triumphs are all worth reading about. I especially liked his reflections on growing up in a small town in East Germany; his love of family and friends; his descriptions of his teams and individual races; his preparation for his attempt at breaking the Hour Record and his thoughts on retirement.SHUT UP LEGS! is not a tell-all, gossipy book, but an insightful memoir of the bike racer that is Jens Voigt.Whether or not you are a cyclist or follow the sport of cycling, I do think you will enjoy this book. I would also recommend Jens’ Twitter feed, and his writing and commentating on various cycling races.

I started watching cycling in the early 2000's so Jens has been a part of the narrative for the entire time. He was the most character filled rider in the peloton. He used social media bolster his appeal, I believe, in an extremely savvy way - even if it was not planned. Jens just opens his mouth and you pay attention because he is so freaking hilarious. Reading this book is like listening to him speak. It's a great light read. I don't read biographies for the most part but if you're a fan of Jens then this is a must!

As a amateur bike racer myself, I'm interested in learning more about equipment, training, racing strategy, etc. Most autobiographies of pro cyclists that I've read have a fair share of that kind of thing. But there's very little of that here. It's mostly just personal anecdotes about friends, travel, team negotiations, etc. Also, the specter of drugs darkens everything here. Jens vehemently denies ever taking drugs. Yet every one of the friends and teammates (and even team managers) that Jens writes about were admitted or discovered to be dirty, and most of this goes unmentioned. It should not have.

I am not exactly an unbiased reviewer since I am a huge fan but I will do my best to be fair. The book covered the life of Jens Voigt from childhood to retirement following his hour record. There were a good number of classic Jens stories like how he had to ride a children's bike after a crash in the Tour as well as ones that I had not heard such as he feelings about growing up in East Germany and his early racing days. I have listened to interviews with him, been at events where Jens spoke and now read his book. With Jens, what you see is what you get. If you enjoying listening to him then that same voice comes out in this book with some new stories. It was a quick and entertaining read, just what I needed while recovering from my own legs which did not listen to me when I told them to shut up. Thank you Jens for setting an example of how hard work, good sportsmanship, and success do not have to come at the expense of family and friends.

came quick, great book, husband loved it.

Funny , honest , encouraging are only some of the wonderful thoughts brought to mind by Jens insightful and fast paced look at a panoramic view of his life as a pro cyclist . Loved all of it , hard to put it down , very well told !Highly recommend this book for anyone who loves cycling or who wants to know more about this amazing sport .

He,s keeps repeating himself,going from present day to past,over and over again

You can’t help but love him. He is a true competitor with heart. An inspiration to us all. I never do reviews but can’t help myself, this book and Jens both deserve to be recognized. I will never do another!

Nice insight on some aspects but don;t look for any in-depth replay on races or the doping scandal