Tim Krabbé, The Rider

Another one of those classics, which all riders talk about with respect. And I'm going along with that. If Don Delillo was to write a first person account of someone who may or may not be the author riding a fictional, 120mile race through the centre of France, then this would be it.

Today I went for a ride, not 120miles, but a decent 90miles in the heat, some of it a hilly - but of course, not mountains like The Rider. And I'm quite aware of the step changes, or transformational changes between even being a good amateur rider (which I'm not) and a pro, but for the first time, I got a sense of what it meant to ride, and to ride to beat others. One was stronger than me overall, but I felt much beater than the others; and each small hill, I could out-sprint them all to the top. Minor, minor triumphs, of course, but Krabbe would know what I was talking about.

Control (DVD)

I have been remiss in posting, and I've even read a few books, so I'll catch up soon.

I've also had one of those red LoveFilm envelopes sitting on top of my DVD player, like a little blinking light, chiding me for not watching it for what must be a couple of months. I seem to be off films at the moment.

However, after yet another Saturday working, and not feeling like roaming the streets, I caught up with it that evening. The film was Control, a black and white biopic of Ian Curtis, of Joy Division, directed by Mr Joshua Tree. Since then, Joy Division have been everywhere, including the front of the NME this week. And the films in the adverts also got referenced at a bbq I went to. What does this all signify? Nothing, but possibly everything...

Liked the Graham Robb character, who must have written that Stone Roses book, and the final shot of the smoke and crematorium. And every rock star needs an Annik.
Otherwise, nicely understated film making (except the self-conscious Black and White).