Come and Gone

“There's something very approachable about the underdog, the guy who works as hard as anyone, but never achieves the stardom we all chase. Joe's candor is refreshing to read and entertaining as hell.” ― PezCycling News

Come and Gone is the eagerly anticipated sequel to Joe Parkin’s Belgian cycling classic, A Dog in a Hat, bringing Parkin home to the nascent American bike racing scene that would give rise to Lance Armstrong and the homegrown sport of mountain biking.

After five years of gritty, blue-collar bike racing in Belgium, Parkin flies back to the United States with empty pockets and no contract. He joins the elite Coors Lite road team as a key member, but the adjustment to domestic racing, with small crowds, rookie teammates, and poorly promoted events, is a letdown after the glory of racing in the European peloton.

Disillusioned, Joe is ready to hang up his cleats when he is offered a contract with a pro mountain bike team. The freshness of mountain biking proves to be an elixir: Joe's career blossoms and he rediscovers his love of the sport.

Come and Gone is a rare, frank, and intimate sports memoir about the lifestyle of the pro scene during the heyday of American mountain bike racing.

“The race descriptions are so realistic, you’ll need a heart-rate monitor.” ― USA Today

“A fun, barebones adventure through the eyes of a professional cycling journeyman.” ― VeloNews

“An unflinching look at the grueling and often mundane world of professional cycling. Dirt geeks will appreciate the historical context as Parkin races in the blossoming mountain bike scene of the ‘90s and competes against legends such as Ned Overend and Tinker Juarez…An engaging coming of age story on the bike.” ― Dirt Rag