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One-Way Ticket: Nine Lives on Two Wheels
The new memoir tracing story of cycling since the 1980s, through the eyes of Jonathan Vaughters, founder of team Education First and one of the sport's most towering figures.
Jonathan Vaughters' story is the story of modern cycling. From his early years as a keen cyclist in his hometown in Colorado to his unflinching rite of passage as a professional rider with US Postal to his elevation as one of cycling's most resilient, ethical and intelligent team bosses, the highs and lows of his career have mirrored those of the sport itself. Vaughters has had a front-row seat for most of the major events in cycling over the past three decades. He was both a former teammate of Lance and a leading witness against him. And he went on to renounce doping and start the first pro cycling team to dedicate itself to clean riding, which has grown into one of the most successful teams competing today and started a movement that has swept across the sport.
This is also not simply a story of races won and Vaughters shows readers how he navigated the complex, international business of building Slipstream into a world-class cycling team. Over the past decade, he has led the sport out of the scandal-plagued Armstrong era. By presenting the world with a team made of talented racers built around a rigorous approach to clean racing, he set a new standard within cycling that has since spread across the peloton. Written from the unique perspective of both a racer and a team manager, One-Way Ticket gives the complete story of what it takes to build a winning team and repair the reputation of a sport.
Jonathan Vaughters' story is the story of modern cycling. From his early years as a keen cyclist in his hometown in Colorado to his unflinching rite of passage as a professional rider with US Postal to his elevation as one of cycling's most resilient, ethical and intelligent team bosses, the highs and lows of his career have mirrored those of the sport itself. Vaughters has had a front-row seat for most of the major events in cycling over the past three decades. He was both a former teammate of Lance and a leading witness against him. And he went on to renounce doping and start the first pro cycling team to dedicate itself to clean riding, which has grown into one of the most successful teams competing today and started a movement that has swept across the sport.
This is also not simply a story of races won and Vaughters shows readers how he navigated the complex, international business of building Slipstream into a world-class cycling team. Over the past decade, he has led the sport out of the scandal-plagued Armstrong era. By presenting the world with a team made of talented racers built around a rigorous approach to clean racing, he set a new standard within cycling that has since spread across the peloton. Written from the unique perspective of both a racer and a team manager, One-Way Ticket gives the complete story of what it takes to build a winning team and repair the reputation of a sport.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2019
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485 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
May 7, 2020
An interesting insight into the world of cycling
So where do I start with this book, I have been a follower of professional cycling for well over half my life, a cyclist for 50 years and an admirer of the amateur cyclist Raymond Glenister for all my life (yes he was my father and a better cyclist than I have ever been - I have large number of his race results which I cherish).
So, back to professional cycling, I remember when I came to realise that there was an enormous amount of doping in the sport and strangely whilst that was a huge disappointment (yes at one time I replay admired Lance Armstrong), I was in some ways glad to know that the sport was at rock bottom, and could only be on the way up. And now they are all (the riders, the teams, the governing bodies) in a much better place, not completely 100% squeaky clean, but so much better, i hope , than they were.
Jonathon's story is really interesting, as a team mate of Lance Armstrong, and in some ways a rival, it was wonderful to see all his thoughts written down. Oh its so difficult, I really did enjoy Jonathon's exposé(s), and it was a very well written and interesting "tour" through 30+ years of cycling, but I have one hero in cycling (well 2 , after my father) and that is David Millar, and whilst I know he isn't perfect by any means (a self confessed doper) I do still revere him and so this book will always be 4 stars to me.
As an aside which probably is completely irrelevant to the review is that I've seen Jonathon ride past me on numerous occasions, as I've stood at the side of the ride cheering Peletons going by, in numerous professional races. It helps to have lived in France for a number of years and to have been able to go and see a number of Tour de France stages. I have also seen a number of what I consider famous and worthy cyclists whizz past me, including my hero David Millar and oh so many others over the years.
As a lover of professional cycling, with the advent of so much tv coverage this has been a wonderful time to be a supporter and a follower. Bring on the next few years to see some of the new talent, clean !!
So where do I start with this book, I have been a follower of professional cycling for well over half my life, a cyclist for 50 years and an admirer of the amateur cyclist Raymond Glenister for all my life (yes he was my father and a better cyclist than I have ever been - I have large number of his race results which I cherish).
So, back to professional cycling, I remember when I came to realise that there was an enormous amount of doping in the sport and strangely whilst that was a huge disappointment (yes at one time I replay admired Lance Armstrong), I was in some ways glad to know that the sport was at rock bottom, and could only be on the way up. And now they are all (the riders, the teams, the governing bodies) in a much better place, not completely 100% squeaky clean, but so much better, i hope , than they were.
Jonathon's story is really interesting, as a team mate of Lance Armstrong, and in some ways a rival, it was wonderful to see all his thoughts written down. Oh its so difficult, I really did enjoy Jonathon's exposé(s), and it was a very well written and interesting "tour" through 30+ years of cycling, but I have one hero in cycling (well 2 , after my father) and that is David Millar, and whilst I know he isn't perfect by any means (a self confessed doper) I do still revere him and so this book will always be 4 stars to me.
As an aside which probably is completely irrelevant to the review is that I've seen Jonathon ride past me on numerous occasions, as I've stood at the side of the ride cheering Peletons going by, in numerous professional races. It helps to have lived in France for a number of years and to have been able to go and see a number of Tour de France stages. I have also seen a number of what I consider famous and worthy cyclists whizz past me, including my hero David Millar and oh so many others over the years.
As a lover of professional cycling, with the advent of so much tv coverage this has been a wonderful time to be a supporter and a follower. Bring on the next few years to see some of the new talent, clean !!
October 20, 2019
I've read a lot of cycling books and this is one of my favorites. JV is very candid about his own insecurities, doping in the pelaton, and the many flaws of cycling as a sport. He also nails why we love cycling in the first place, and the many ethical dilemmas of the sport itself, like when to be selfish and when to sacrifice for a teammate. Overall the book reads more like an exercise in evolving self-awareness than a tell-all doping book. In fact JV goes beyond judging himself for doping and judges himself for his rocky business career as well as for his two failed marriages. Kudos to JV for putting it all out there in his memoir for the American fans, just like he did when he was a pro bike racer.
August 15, 2020
As my huge fan base of followers know, I’m very stingy with a five star reviews. So, what’s going on here? First off, this rating is only relevant if you are a fan of pro cycling and all its ups and downs over the years, especially as it concerns doping and Lance.
Second, with that background of cycling lore, it is a heart wrenching tale of a man and his efforts to come to terms with, literally, his soul. Yes, he doped, yes, he screwed up his personal relationships, and he was focused to the exclusion of all else.
But, he made lemonade out of lemons: transitioned to team management, fought with sponsors, made it happen, and now, in 2020, Team EF is a top Tour contender. And recovered his soul in the process. Hey, this is almost starting to sound like an epic journey.......
Second, with that background of cycling lore, it is a heart wrenching tale of a man and his efforts to come to terms with, literally, his soul. Yes, he doped, yes, he screwed up his personal relationships, and he was focused to the exclusion of all else.
But, he made lemonade out of lemons: transitioned to team management, fought with sponsors, made it happen, and now, in 2020, Team EF is a top Tour contender. And recovered his soul in the process. Hey, this is almost starting to sound like an epic journey.......
November 16, 2019
Amazing how much Lance looms over all of JV’s career— to this day. This dovetails nicely into stories from Tom Danielson, Phil Gaimon and Lance himself. The funding model for pro cycling is clearly broken and it’s frustrating as a fan. Hopefully it evolves.
November 27, 2021
Excellent on his early life and how he got into cycling. Think even more interesting and poignant when he reveals something important he discovers about himself at the end of the memoir. I thought the whole focus on how he got into doping and why he had to dope said a lot about the peloton of that era. The latter third which is more about his post cyclist life was a bit less interesting for me. I guess I’m more into the psychology of the cyclist than the focus on the business side of things. For someone who’s read a lot of cycling autobiographies this was definitely up there - not as penetrating as David Millers book but better than most.
September 2, 2019
I have invested every July of the last 20 years in watching every minute of the Tour de France. Jonathan Vaughters pulls aside the curtain of some of the mysteries of this addicting sport. His book is very personal as he opens his life to us, his pain and his successes. Our fallen heroes, his erstwhile enemies, may blame him for tarnishing the sport and their reputations but it takes true character to be honest and we are better for it. The lesson to be learned, to put it simply, is not that we should not sin, but that we succeed by wresting with our sin and come through bruised and beaten but victors.
August 21, 2019
Honest and illuminating account by an interesting man
I really enjoyed reading this seemingly candid account of JVs life. It was at its best in dealing with the lance Armstrong relationship and was very interesting in recounting his management years.
I also found it quite moving that it deliberately focused primarily on the professional not personal, but towards the end you could see the realisation that the two cannot be divorced from each other and there is a moving stock taking of what his life and relationships and profession have meant to JV.
Top read
I really enjoyed reading this seemingly candid account of JVs life. It was at its best in dealing with the lance Armstrong relationship and was very interesting in recounting his management years.
I also found it quite moving that it deliberately focused primarily on the professional not personal, but towards the end you could see the realisation that the two cannot be divorced from each other and there is a moving stock taking of what his life and relationships and profession have meant to JV.
Top read
November 5, 2022
I read One Way Ticket: Nine Lives on Two Wheels by Jonathan Vaughters because a dear friend recommended it. This book was great (thank you, Matt!). Vaughters had me at hello; he started his memoir with a story from his first Bob Cook Memorial Hill Climb, which is the bike race from Idaho Springs (my hometown) to the summit of Mount Evans. The book covered his “dark and beautiful” career in cycling from his reluctant start in a series of races in Boulder to his switch from cyclist to team owner/manager. It includes his epiphanies about doping: realizing he couldn’t compete without taking EPO, realizing he faced a cheat or abandon your dream choice, realizing what cheating did to him personally, and battling to offer athletes alternatives to cheating after he not only stopped doping but also took responsibility for cheating.
I still don’t understand how cycling teams function on courses—how strategies such as drafting and the physics of aerodynamics combine to move riders from pelotons to breakaways and the finish line—or administratively—people get paid enormous salaries to race on bicycles(?). Those parts of the book were tougher to understand, but through it all I did comprehend the author’s drive to succeed, to push himself, and, eventually, to be the change for the sport’s future. He could have used the pages to blame others for his dilemmas, but he didn’t. He owned most of what was his to own, while others in cycling clearly have shirked their responsibility and ruthlessly flung blame like poo-armed primates in a zoo enclosure.
Vaughters was in his 20s when he decided to use drugs to enhance his cycling capabilities: “Instead of feeling guilty about injecting myself, I felt empowered. I felt like I was finally doing something to give myself a chance. I was fighting back, not just letting myself get pushed into a corner. My career as a pro cyclist was close to being stolen from me by all these dopers. I had some talent, yet I was the one getting laughed at in every race? Fuck that. It was time to end that dance. I wanted to be a warrior. Real warriors need weapons. Real warriors don’t fight friendly, they fight to win. Real warriors don’t make excuses, they make shit happen. Now I was going to make shit happen.” That was a difficult part of his story. He knew he was choosing to cheat and he believed he had to cheat to stay competitive with the majority of other pro cyclists who were shellacking him because they were cheating. “My sense of morals, ethics, and even of self had been steadily eroded, twisted, and darkened. My naivety, innocence, and conscience had turned black after so many years of being the laughingstock of the peloton. They laughed not only because I was slow, but because they knew exactly why they were fast, and didn’t understand why anyone would continue to try and race against them without doing the same.”
In time, he stopped doping and admitted publicly that he had cheated as a cyclist. He had participated willingly in an act that threatened to destroy the sport he loved. However, the book isn’t only an attempt to elicit a pat on the back for doing the right thing. Vaughters shares his ups and downs, his racing wins and his failed relationships, his personal growth and the struggles that produced that growth. I enjoyed this story of ongoing redemption and behind-the-curtain glimpses into both an industry and a sport about which I know so little.
I still don’t understand how cycling teams function on courses—how strategies such as drafting and the physics of aerodynamics combine to move riders from pelotons to breakaways and the finish line—or administratively—people get paid enormous salaries to race on bicycles(?). Those parts of the book were tougher to understand, but through it all I did comprehend the author’s drive to succeed, to push himself, and, eventually, to be the change for the sport’s future. He could have used the pages to blame others for his dilemmas, but he didn’t. He owned most of what was his to own, while others in cycling clearly have shirked their responsibility and ruthlessly flung blame like poo-armed primates in a zoo enclosure.
Vaughters was in his 20s when he decided to use drugs to enhance his cycling capabilities: “Instead of feeling guilty about injecting myself, I felt empowered. I felt like I was finally doing something to give myself a chance. I was fighting back, not just letting myself get pushed into a corner. My career as a pro cyclist was close to being stolen from me by all these dopers. I had some talent, yet I was the one getting laughed at in every race? Fuck that. It was time to end that dance. I wanted to be a warrior. Real warriors need weapons. Real warriors don’t fight friendly, they fight to win. Real warriors don’t make excuses, they make shit happen. Now I was going to make shit happen.” That was a difficult part of his story. He knew he was choosing to cheat and he believed he had to cheat to stay competitive with the majority of other pro cyclists who were shellacking him because they were cheating. “My sense of morals, ethics, and even of self had been steadily eroded, twisted, and darkened. My naivety, innocence, and conscience had turned black after so many years of being the laughingstock of the peloton. They laughed not only because I was slow, but because they knew exactly why they were fast, and didn’t understand why anyone would continue to try and race against them without doing the same.”
In time, he stopped doping and admitted publicly that he had cheated as a cyclist. He had participated willingly in an act that threatened to destroy the sport he loved. However, the book isn’t only an attempt to elicit a pat on the back for doing the right thing. Vaughters shares his ups and downs, his racing wins and his failed relationships, his personal growth and the struggles that produced that growth. I enjoyed this story of ongoing redemption and behind-the-curtain glimpses into both an industry and a sport about which I know so little.
September 22, 2021
Fascinating read
Compelling read regarding two decades of racing, sponsorships, individual cyclists, and leadership challenges. Come away with even more respect for EF Education First organization.
Compelling read regarding two decades of racing, sponsorships, individual cyclists, and leadership challenges. Come away with even more respect for EF Education First organization.
December 18, 2019
JV was a professional rider and definitely not a professional writer. The language is simple with low word diversity and poor grammar at times. I found the style of writing distracting and sometimes distracting from what are fascinating memories of a tumultuous career.
Ultimately, I settled into the memoir by focusing on the thread Vaughters was spinning rather than the author's style. Once I did, I was drawn into his life story. The book haphazardly weaves between various periods, but loosely follows the plot of kid is bad at everything in life, kid discovers cycling, kid becomes elite bike racer, kid becomes bike racing manager. The frequency that Lance Armstrong comes up and the pettiness that Vaughters occasionally embodies leaves the question of if the kid ever becomes an adult.
I'm not displeased I read the book even if it may sound that way. JV offers insights into cycling culture (in both the doping and post-doping eras) from the viewpoints of coming up into the sport all the way to providing oversight to the sport. Very little is new information regarding the EPO and blood doping eras of the past 20 years. If you're reading this or any book for some salacious rumors, shame on you.
If you're interested in the life of a bike racer, want a primer on why doping is such a sensitive topic amongst cyclists, or are generally interested in the view from inside a professional sport, I recommend this book.
Ultimately, I settled into the memoir by focusing on the thread Vaughters was spinning rather than the author's style. Once I did, I was drawn into his life story. The book haphazardly weaves between various periods, but loosely follows the plot of kid is bad at everything in life, kid discovers cycling, kid becomes elite bike racer, kid becomes bike racing manager. The frequency that Lance Armstrong comes up and the pettiness that Vaughters occasionally embodies leaves the question of if the kid ever becomes an adult.
I'm not displeased I read the book even if it may sound that way. JV offers insights into cycling culture (in both the doping and post-doping eras) from the viewpoints of coming up into the sport all the way to providing oversight to the sport. Very little is new information regarding the EPO and blood doping eras of the past 20 years. If you're reading this or any book for some salacious rumors, shame on you.
If you're interested in the life of a bike racer, want a primer on why doping is such a sensitive topic amongst cyclists, or are generally interested in the view from inside a professional sport, I recommend this book.
January 3, 2020
I love cycling, and I love books. So for the first time, I combined the two by reading this book... okay... not reading, but listening. I always love when an author reads his own stories because he knows the story and has more invested. So on a recent road trip to Huntington Beach from AZ, I listened to all 10 hours. Being that I love cycling, it was very interesting to hear his journey from young kid not good at sports to a championship rider. I can completely empathize with the long days and lonely miles. The past 6 years, I've ridden 7,000 - 8,000 miles per year... much of those with a group and many alone. As an active Strava user (app for cycling and running), I've one of those riders who loves to compare how I do against my friends and the local experts... which leads to all out efforts on short and long segments on my way to numerous KOMs. (King Of the Mountain... fastest rider on that segment.) So as a local fanatic, it was fun to hear how much different the world is for a pro rider and the extensive training, blood testing, etc. It was a surprisingly candid look at how drugs infiltrated the sport and how agencies fight that. I do not remember the rider during his hay-day since he was overshadowed by Lance and other greats, but he was obviously right in the mix. As a cyclist (and/or sports enthusiast), I loved the story. If you are not so much into sports, the tales will probably become boring and redundant.
September 19, 2019
ONE WAY TICKET: NINE LIVES ON TWO WHEELS by Jonathan Vaughters with Jeremy Whittle.
Jonathan Vaughters is a former professional cyclist and current owner/manager of EF Education First professional cycling team.
ONE WAY TICKET is his memoir. It is very powerful; very sincere; extremely introspective. Jonathan Vaughters speaks freely of his own thoughts, decisions, high and low points in life, addictions, successes, failures and mistakes. It is a true ‘tell-all’ book, yet it doesn’t spiral into a gossipy, mud-slinging bio.
I read about his early cycling days; his battles with his conscience about doping; his building of his SlipStream cycling into a world-class, international cycling team; his personal growth and his unique managerial style.
I enjoyed reading this book; every page. I underlined so many passages, that I can’t possibly cite them all.
I was very impressed with his honest introspection. His ‘examination of conscience’.
I liked the dedication. I liked the author’s note.
I liked the prologue. I liked the epilogue and acknowledgements.
I liked his ‘owning up’ to his mistakes and personal failures in life. One can’t grow and move on in life unless one first acknowledges that there are problems. (See JV’s dedication page to his grandfather, Dr. Dean H. Mosher.)
I would recommend this book. Five Stars *****
Jonathan Vaughters is a former professional cyclist and current owner/manager of EF Education First professional cycling team.
ONE WAY TICKET is his memoir. It is very powerful; very sincere; extremely introspective. Jonathan Vaughters speaks freely of his own thoughts, decisions, high and low points in life, addictions, successes, failures and mistakes. It is a true ‘tell-all’ book, yet it doesn’t spiral into a gossipy, mud-slinging bio.
I read about his early cycling days; his battles with his conscience about doping; his building of his SlipStream cycling into a world-class, international cycling team; his personal growth and his unique managerial style.
I enjoyed reading this book; every page. I underlined so many passages, that I can’t possibly cite them all.
I was very impressed with his honest introspection. His ‘examination of conscience’.
I liked the dedication. I liked the author’s note.
I liked the prologue. I liked the epilogue and acknowledgements.
I liked his ‘owning up’ to his mistakes and personal failures in life. One can’t grow and move on in life unless one first acknowledges that there are problems. (See JV’s dedication page to his grandfather, Dr. Dean H. Mosher.)
I would recommend this book. Five Stars *****
February 10, 2021
I simply don't believe in Vaughters, in what he tells. There are too many things he doesn't say in this book, he tells only what he wants, what fits well with the narrative he wants to tell. It's clear here that he has a huge ego, and he speaks accordingly to that but keeping quiet in too many ways because don't match his pretenses. It seems to me that JV is a bit of a hypocrite. I didn't like what he says about doping and riding clean, and I don't believe that professional cycling has changed as he asserts. I think that is the same old cycling, with the same old people involved and the same old vices.
To me the best part of this book is the one concerning thoughts about the role of cyclists/teams/races, the structure of the sport, the need of sponsorization and so on. He has some very interesting point of view and makes you think over the future of cycling and in which manner it would be a better sport.
To me the best part of this book is the one concerning thoughts about the role of cyclists/teams/races, the structure of the sport, the need of sponsorization and so on. He has some very interesting point of view and makes you think over the future of cycling and in which manner it would be a better sport.
August 13, 2019
Let me start off by saying i really enjoyed this book. It gives the reader a good insight into some moments and aspects of JV's life.
The inital section that covers how he gets into riding, and then his inital entry into the racing scene was especially interesting and well covered.
Unfortunately as we get closer to the current day JV goes into less detail and often resorts to hinting that there is more detail to the specific subject than he's currently willing to go into (e.g. what really happened between him / Garmin and David Miller). A little frustrating, but I guess given he's still active in the cycling world not unexpected (worrying about impacting relationships he may still need?).
So while I loved this book, and thought there are some great insights into the why behind his doping, I guess we will have to wait until he's fully retired for a true tell all book.
The inital section that covers how he gets into riding, and then his inital entry into the racing scene was especially interesting and well covered.
Unfortunately as we get closer to the current day JV goes into less detail and often resorts to hinting that there is more detail to the specific subject than he's currently willing to go into (e.g. what really happened between him / Garmin and David Miller). A little frustrating, but I guess given he's still active in the cycling world not unexpected (worrying about impacting relationships he may still need?).
So while I loved this book, and thought there are some great insights into the why behind his doping, I guess we will have to wait until he's fully retired for a true tell all book.
October 15, 2019
I was captivated by his story of how he got into bicycle racing, being bullied and not really interested in school. I felt his excitement when he trained for races and enjoyed his allure for the European bicycle racing scene.
The story of how he started using drugs to enhance his racing is interesting, and so honest! I see now how everything was done and why every racer was “doping”. This book explains why Lance Armstrong used drugs: why any bicycle racer used drugs.
Jonathan Vaughters read the audiobook and his reading was fine, yet at times he sighed and tried to read as fast as he could to get through some parts. I couldn’t help wondering what his parents thought about him and his career and especially the doping. If he were my son I would be so so so proud of him!!!
The story of how he started using drugs to enhance his racing is interesting, and so honest! I see now how everything was done and why every racer was “doping”. This book explains why Lance Armstrong used drugs: why any bicycle racer used drugs.
Jonathan Vaughters read the audiobook and his reading was fine, yet at times he sighed and tried to read as fast as he could to get through some parts. I couldn’t help wondering what his parents thought about him and his career and especially the doping. If he were my son I would be so so so proud of him!!!
December 21, 2020
I am fan of JV since EF got together with Rapha and started following his tweets.
Now, thanks to this biography I am huge fan of this guy. Stories in this book add more pieces in the puzzle of 2000-2006 doping in road racing.
I just dont get why he thanked Lance in the end of the book? :D
Now, thanks to this biography I am huge fan of this guy. Stories in this book add more pieces in the puzzle of 2000-2006 doping in road racing.
I just dont get why he thanked Lance in the end of the book? :D
March 3, 2022
Complaining that an autobiography is all "me, me, me" is a bit stilly, I know, but FFS Jonathan, open your eyes, there's other things to talk about than what a genius you are and how the world has messed you over.
August 5, 2025
Rating: 4.5/5
I’m not sure what I expected from this book, but I actually really enjoyed it. It’s not a book you’d just pick up randomly; I think you have to be a pro cycling fan and a JV fan (or at least an EF fan) to appreciate this fully. I started it while EF was having the ride of their life in the 2025 Tour de France, so it had extra meaning.
This book follows JV’s life trajectory, with cycling as the main artery. It was genuinely entertaining reading about his early years of racing and how he developed as an athlete. When we get to the pro era of his career, I found myself repeatedly thinking “Nooo don’t give in!” even though I already knew what that stage of his life involved. I appreciated his level of detail and honesty surrounding doping, the pressure around being a bike racer during that era, and the struggle to become clean. It was fun reading about his interactions with other cyclists during that era too, especially while simultaneously watching Christian Vande Velde commentating live from this year’s TdF.
Then we get to JV’s manager years, and the development of what is now the EF team. I didn’t think I could like and respect that team more than I already do, but this book proved me wrong. Learning about the team’s foundation and development - even down to the thought behind their argyle pattern - was interesting.
The only dislikes I have come from some of the topic organization, and the rushed feeling of the ending. Most of the book is chronological, but some bits are thrown in out of order, such as the divorces and the Asperger’s diagnosis (surprised to see that label in a 2019 publication…).
If the ending had kept the energy and entertainment level of the first half I would have rated this 5 stars. It’s genuinely interesting and informative and allows you a unique and thoughtful lens into pro cycling and JV’s life. Definitely recommend if you’re a cycling fan. Let’s go EF!
I’m not sure what I expected from this book, but I actually really enjoyed it. It’s not a book you’d just pick up randomly; I think you have to be a pro cycling fan and a JV fan (or at least an EF fan) to appreciate this fully. I started it while EF was having the ride of their life in the 2025 Tour de France, so it had extra meaning.
This book follows JV’s life trajectory, with cycling as the main artery. It was genuinely entertaining reading about his early years of racing and how he developed as an athlete. When we get to the pro era of his career, I found myself repeatedly thinking “Nooo don’t give in!” even though I already knew what that stage of his life involved. I appreciated his level of detail and honesty surrounding doping, the pressure around being a bike racer during that era, and the struggle to become clean. It was fun reading about his interactions with other cyclists during that era too, especially while simultaneously watching Christian Vande Velde commentating live from this year’s TdF.
Then we get to JV’s manager years, and the development of what is now the EF team. I didn’t think I could like and respect that team more than I already do, but this book proved me wrong. Learning about the team’s foundation and development - even down to the thought behind their argyle pattern - was interesting.
The only dislikes I have come from some of the topic organization, and the rushed feeling of the ending. Most of the book is chronological, but some bits are thrown in out of order, such as the divorces and the Asperger’s diagnosis (surprised to see that label in a 2019 publication…).
If the ending had kept the energy and entertainment level of the first half I would have rated this 5 stars. It’s genuinely interesting and informative and allows you a unique and thoughtful lens into pro cycling and JV’s life. Definitely recommend if you’re a cycling fan. Let’s go EF!
February 4, 2022
Definitely a 5 star for anyone who follows bike racing. It's one insider's view of the sport, doping, competition, Lance Armstrong, unwritten rules of racing, bike team cohesion, and the price to be a champion. Jonathan regrets in hindsight much of what he did but honestly and perhaps sadly says, as a man driven by his demons and needs, he would not trade his journey for another (saner) one.
Jonathan and others would like bike racing to be 'clean' so young racers don't have to choose between being competitive (ie, doping w/o getting caught as Armstrong and most other champions did back then) and being a clean athlete. But apparently as in most sports today it will be a constant battle between the cheaters and the detectors.
The book reminds me in a strange way of the story of Bobby Fischer. In the bike world we had a string of riders - LeMond, Landis then Armstrong showing the world that americans could compete in a sport dominated by europeans. Landis and Armstrong were stripped of their Tour wins b/c of doping. But americans (and with Armstrong, an actual american team) competing successfully in the Tour helped make the sport popular and visible in the US. The visibility, the resulting rise in endorsement and contract money, the thin margins for teams not finishing in the top 10 meant the pressure to win was damaging the riders and the sport. Jonathan captures this well in his story.
Fischer showed the world an american could crack the soviet domination of chess. There was a Fischer chess boom, some exposure of collusion by the soviet team to help their top player in tournaments, and then the crackup of Fischer.
Jonathan and others would like bike racing to be 'clean' so young racers don't have to choose between being competitive (ie, doping w/o getting caught as Armstrong and most other champions did back then) and being a clean athlete. But apparently as in most sports today it will be a constant battle between the cheaters and the detectors.
The book reminds me in a strange way of the story of Bobby Fischer. In the bike world we had a string of riders - LeMond, Landis then Armstrong showing the world that americans could compete in a sport dominated by europeans. Landis and Armstrong were stripped of their Tour wins b/c of doping. But americans (and with Armstrong, an actual american team) competing successfully in the Tour helped make the sport popular and visible in the US. The visibility, the resulting rise in endorsement and contract money, the thin margins for teams not finishing in the top 10 meant the pressure to win was damaging the riders and the sport. Jonathan captures this well in his story.
Fischer showed the world an american could crack the soviet domination of chess. There was a Fischer chess boom, some exposure of collusion by the soviet team to help their top player in tournaments, and then the crackup of Fischer.
July 1, 2024
I'll admit I got caught up in the Lance Armstrong hype years ago, and his handling of the allegations against him have soured my attitude towards him. Jonathan Vaughters was there with Lance during their early careers and early Tour wins, and he doesn't pull any punches WRT to how much doping was going on and how it was happening.
But this was much more than an expose on a very dark chapter in professional sports. Its the story of a scrappy kid who had a genetic gift and a talent for digging deep and made the best of it. He found himself in a difficult place (unable to compete with less talented athletes unless he doped), he made some grim decisions, and he put himself into a position where he could make changes to the sport so nobody else has to make the same grim decision.
I applaud his honesty and his post-racing work as a team director and sporting director to clean up the sport. I've never really been exposed to the details of the business side of professional cycling, so the latter half of the book about his post racing life were very edifying for me.
This book would appeal to anyone who is interested in professional cycling and/or the doping scandals around the turn of the century
I listened to the audibook via Overdrive from my local library.
Reading Level: young adult
Romance: no
Smut: no
Violence: no
TW: doping, cheating, occasional harsh language
But this was much more than an expose on a very dark chapter in professional sports. Its the story of a scrappy kid who had a genetic gift and a talent for digging deep and made the best of it. He found himself in a difficult place (unable to compete with less talented athletes unless he doped), he made some grim decisions, and he put himself into a position where he could make changes to the sport so nobody else has to make the same grim decision.
I applaud his honesty and his post-racing work as a team director and sporting director to clean up the sport. I've never really been exposed to the details of the business side of professional cycling, so the latter half of the book about his post racing life were very edifying for me.
This book would appeal to anyone who is interested in professional cycling and/or the doping scandals around the turn of the century
I listened to the audibook via Overdrive from my local library.
Reading Level: young adult
Romance: no
Smut: no
Violence: no
TW: doping, cheating, occasional harsh language
August 2, 2025
I’m a huge fan of cycling and I have been since the late 80s. I loved the US Postal Service team and Lance Armstrong. (what a story). I was in France in 2004 for the Tour. The doping scandal, in and of itself, wasn’t really the issue for me. I don’t doubt that a vast majority of the peloton were using some form of chemical enhancement. What really did me in was the destruction of people’s lives because Lance Armstrong continued to lie for years. YEARS.
Once the dust settled, Lance Armstrong seems to have spent his entire time and effort into vanity projects. It doesn’t seem like he’s doing anything to make anyone else’s life any better; it’s all about what can circle back to him.
In contrast, what Jonathan Vaughters has done since retiring from the peloton is nothing short of remarkable. Before reading this book, I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what he had done over the years to build EF Education First – Easy Post into the remarkable team that it is today. After reading this book, it’s clear, I knew nothing.
If you’re a fan of cycling, this is a great read. If you’re a fan of.EFE this is a great read. If you’re curious about how the doping scandal unfolded, this is a great read.
Once the dust settled, Lance Armstrong seems to have spent his entire time and effort into vanity projects. It doesn’t seem like he’s doing anything to make anyone else’s life any better; it’s all about what can circle back to him.
In contrast, what Jonathan Vaughters has done since retiring from the peloton is nothing short of remarkable. Before reading this book, I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what he had done over the years to build EF Education First – Easy Post into the remarkable team that it is today. After reading this book, it’s clear, I knew nothing.
If you’re a fan of cycling, this is a great read. If you’re a fan of.EFE this is a great read. If you’re curious about how the doping scandal unfolded, this is a great read.
August 26, 2025
Let me start by saying that I was never a fan of JV during his pro career. I thought he was pompous and never really did anything significant to back it up. (I did follow cycling pretty closely at that time.) This book changed my mind about him.
The doping scandals of the Lance, Marco, Richard era gutted me. Though not a racer, I rode a lot in my teens and 20s. it was an escape, something I was good at, a way to test myself. it was part of my identity. in this way, I could relate to the younger JV.
JV spins a good yarn about his career, giving us an insight into the teen and junior world that I've not seen elsewhere. I found his tales of doping just right - not too technical, and more about the inner struggle than the math. Then, the transition to how teams are started, run, and fail was really interesting. It makes me want to look up the progression of where those teams of the 80s and 90s are today. Have ONCE or Euskatel Euskdi been reincarnated to be one of the teams in the current peleton? I feel some wintertime internet research coming on.
Overall, I found this a more enjoyable book than I anticipated. Good on JV for writing it. If you followed cycling in the late 80s and 90s, I think you will enjoy it.
The doping scandals of the Lance, Marco, Richard era gutted me. Though not a racer, I rode a lot in my teens and 20s. it was an escape, something I was good at, a way to test myself. it was part of my identity. in this way, I could relate to the younger JV.
JV spins a good yarn about his career, giving us an insight into the teen and junior world that I've not seen elsewhere. I found his tales of doping just right - not too technical, and more about the inner struggle than the math. Then, the transition to how teams are started, run, and fail was really interesting. It makes me want to look up the progression of where those teams of the 80s and 90s are today. Have ONCE or Euskatel Euskdi been reincarnated to be one of the teams in the current peleton? I feel some wintertime internet research coming on.
Overall, I found this a more enjoyable book than I anticipated. Good on JV for writing it. If you followed cycling in the late 80s and 90s, I think you will enjoy it.
October 9, 2020
Excellent view into the life of a key player in the transformation of cycling out of the EPO etc. era. I hope at some point history will produce a detailed account and history of Slipstream Sports and the pivotal role it played, taking inputs from others, including the other co-founder, as well.
I did enjoy the early years; those who have read pro cycling biographies or memoirs will recognize the tale readily. I thought the tensions of being the leader of an inherently unstable enterprise were well told. I thought the late chapters that discussed costs and failings were touching and humanizing.
It must be acknowledged that this is an extraordinary person that has achieved a great thing. I hope that history and the marketplace will also provide a biography crafted by a learned hand with the benefit of a different perspective.
This book would have benefited from a more active content editor to save the author from a handful of missteps, a couple bordering on gaffes, but still a good read if you are interested in pro cycling. Others may pass.
I did enjoy the early years; those who have read pro cycling biographies or memoirs will recognize the tale readily. I thought the tensions of being the leader of an inherently unstable enterprise were well told. I thought the late chapters that discussed costs and failings were touching and humanizing.
It must be acknowledged that this is an extraordinary person that has achieved a great thing. I hope that history and the marketplace will also provide a biography crafted by a learned hand with the benefit of a different perspective.
This book would have benefited from a more active content editor to save the author from a handful of missteps, a couple bordering on gaffes, but still a good read if you are interested in pro cycling. Others may pass.
October 24, 2021
Jonathan Vaughters was a professional cyclist in the 1990s and 2000s during the Lance Armstrong era, and, indeed, raced with and against Armstrong at the Tour de France and other races. Vaughters describes the life of an up and coming racer, living and racing in Europe, all the blood doping and other cheating with drugs that permeated the peloton, and his later years as a manager of a professional racing team. He explains why he took to cheating to be successful and offers countless mea culpas for doing so. I've been a cycling fan for 25 years and remember this infamous era well. Vaughters' stories about racing were fun to read, but his discussion about the business of professional cycling was more interesting as I was largely unfamiliar with it. The writing is OK for a sports story.
September 10, 2019
Great read full of pain, sacrifice, and redemption!
I started the book thinking it was all about the rise and fall and re-making of a pro cyclist. All of that was true in spades. What was unexpected was the last couple of chapters that delved into the flaws and impacts on JV’s personal life. The description of total dedication to career and the toll that can take on the ones you love hit very close to home. I know of what JV speaks in a totally different career. Thank you for your courage to put it in print.
I started the book thinking it was all about the rise and fall and re-making of a pro cyclist. All of that was true in spades. What was unexpected was the last couple of chapters that delved into the flaws and impacts on JV’s personal life. The description of total dedication to career and the toll that can take on the ones you love hit very close to home. I know of what JV speaks in a totally different career. Thank you for your courage to put it in print.
October 3, 2019
Every July I really enjoy watching the Tour de France on TV and learning more about the sport and its riders. This is the 3rd book I've read this year about or by a professional rider. The beginning of this book really kept my interest because I love reading about people who are so passionate about what they do that, like the author, will ride their bike in the snowy mountains of Colorado in order to improve.
The ending brings the reader to the present and it's there that the author is more self-reflective about his own life and his late in life Asperger's diagnosis. Well done.
The ending brings the reader to the present and it's there that the author is more self-reflective about his own life and his late in life Asperger's diagnosis. Well done.
October 15, 2019
Going from a misfit kid to finding road biking and finding something he could excel at, Jonathan starts this book at the beginning of his biking journey. He starts competing and winning and continues to compete until he is able to ride in Europe and eventually with Lance Armstrong on USPS team. I think this was the best account I've read at how it seemed like the riders who were dedicating their lives to riding professionally didn't feel like they had a choice about taking drugs. It was take them or be left behind. Interesting read.
March 6, 2022
This might be my favorite cycling memoir. Very interesting look at cycling, and specifically American cycling from the POV of Jonathan Vaughters. I didn't know much about him besides that he was a pro at one point when I got the book and it ended up being a really thorough look. It covers everything from JV being a kid riding bikes in Colorado, to his time in the World Tour riding for the infamous USPS team, the doping that occured, him turning away from it, and him founding and managing Slipstream Sports, which would end up becoming modern day Education First Cycling.
July 12, 2023
Loved the first half of this book; fun sports adventure stories! The parts about JV’s founding and running his cycling team is enjoyable as well. I learned a lot about the business side of cycling. The only reason for four stars and not five is the sections devoted to defending his side of the story against Lance Armstrong when it comes to doping confessions. I agree with what he did and think he’s a great guy for it, but the consistent defending against Lance and anyone who takes Lance’s side felt unnecessary. That said - I’m glad for the insights and for what JV brings to cycling!
November 4, 2020
I loved this. But ... I was not convinced that his self-awareness during his first few years wasn’t just adult hind-sightedness. When I was learning to race- at 25, not at 12- I had none of the insights he claims to have had with barely a hundred race miles under his butt. The rest of the book was very compelling and gripping. Warning- if you are not already a race fan, this might not be for you. Watch the Tour for a couple of years, and then come back.
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