Cycle racing Books

Book SynopsisFix Your Bike is a brilliantly straightforward, stylish and no-fuss guide to DIY bike maintenance and safety that does exactly what it says on the tin teaching you the basics of bike maintenance so you can simply get on with riding your bike without encountering any further bumps in the road.Everyone''s cycling nowdays. City streets are thronged with cyclists on the latest cool bikes, and more and more of us are cycling for fun at the weekends. You may love to cruise the streets and lanes with the wind in your hair, but would you be able to fix your bike if it let you down?Fix Your Bike is a brilliantly straightforward, stylish and no-fuss approach to getting you geared up and back on your bike in no time. It''s a visually stunning, clear-cut and hands-on guide to DIY bike maintenance and safety that does exactly what it says on the tin. By teaching you the basics in plain terms and straightforward, step-by-step instructions you can simply just get on with riding your bike without encouraging any further bumps in the road. Speedy, easy and proficient, Fix Your Bike is full of shortcuts, tricks and techniques that all cyclists should know to help them get back (and remain) on the road.Smart and beautifully illustrated, this book will aid and encourage you in all areas of bike maintenance from puncture repair to gear care, brake-tightening to chain-fixing this brilliant roadside companion will help you bring out the best in your bike.Word count: 15,000Other forthcoming titles in this series: Fix Your Home and Fix Your Garden.

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Book SynopsisGravel Rides South West England by Katherine Moore features 24 cycling routes, ranging from 16 to 180 kilometres, showcasing the extensive gravel trails of the West Country.

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Book Synopsis Sprinters and the Art of Speed invites you into the world of professional cycling through the eyes of some of the best sprinters of all time.From the earliest days of road racing there have been explosive riders that always seemed to have the edge over their rivals at the finish. From the days of Charles Pélissier and Rik van Looy, to the epic era of Mark Cavendish and the rise of new stars like Lorena Wiebes and Arnaud De Lie, you''ll get the low-down on all things sprinting.Inside you''ll discover exactly what it takes to become one of the fastest riders at the Tour de France. Dive in and learn about the formative years of sprinting and the emergence of specialised tactics such as sprint trains and lead-out riders. You''ll also get an insight into the lives of some of the greatest sprinters of all time and their finest hours, before finally looking ahead to what the next decade of sprinting might hold.

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Book SynopsisBoy Racer steps behind the scenes of the Tour de France. It unmasks the exotic, contradictory, hysterical and brutal world of professional cycling from the compellingly candid viewpoint of someone right in the thick of it.Written off as ''fat'' and ''useless'' in his youth, Mark Cavendish is now one of cycling''s brightest stars and one of Britain''s greatest ever cyclists. Some have called him cocky, but to anyone who doesn''t like his style, Mark will simply shrug his shoulders and reply, ''I know I''m good. There''s no point lying about it.''Peers say that they have never seen anyone with Cavendish''s hunger for success and while this fearlessness - both in the saddle and on the record - has at times led to controversy, it has also earned him the respect of ever more fans.In Boy Racer we follow him through the mayhem of the Tour de France in a page-turning journey of pure exhilaration.Trade ReviewBritain's best ever Tour de France cyclist * ProCycling Magazine *The hottest sprinter in the world * Daily Telegraph *Boy Racer...catch[es] the inner conflict between the impetuousness that makes Cavendish such a daunting competitor and the introspection that makes him such an interesting person * Guardian *Refreshingly frank and entertaining * Scotland on Sunday *Highly personal and revelatory and gives you a unique insight to one of Britain's most successful and respected sportsmen * Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisNed Boulting started his broadcasting career at Sky in 1997, working as a reporter alongside Jeff Stelling on the now legendary show Soccer Saturday. In 2006 he was given the Royal Television Society's Sports Reporter of the Year Award. He has presented two Tours of Britain for ITV, as well as the inaugural Tour Series, and contributed features and live reports on eight Tours de France.Trade ReviewHugely enjoyable...The only real problem with this book is that it's making me wish away the start of the summer and fast-forward to 2 July and le grand départ -- Helen Pidd * Guardian *His journey from self confessed 'football hack winging it in a sport beyond his ken' to his initiation into the Tour's nuances and eccentric characters delivers an amusing, warm and easy read * London Cyclist *A candid, insightful and often hilarious account -- Alastair CampbellI thought Ned was an old hand at the Tour. Evidently he was clueless... Told with panache -- David MillarHugely enjoyable... Brilliant -- Ben East * Metro *

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Book SynopsisStephen Roche was born in Dundrum, Dublin, Ireland. As a road racing cyclist, over the course of 13 years, he recorded 58 professional career wins, including the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and the World Road Racing Championship, all of which he won in 1987. Since retiring Stephen has set up and built Stephen Roche Cycling Holidays and Training Camps, based in Majorca and worked as a commentator for Eurosport. Born to Ride is his first full autobiography.Trade ReviewFascinating…a compelling read * Cycling Shorts *One of the most riveting sporting biographies I've read for ages * Herald *While most people focus on his famous year in 1987, it's often forgotten just how precocious a cyclist Roche was early on in his career…an entertaining read -- John Whitney * Bike Radar *The intimacy and tone of a fireside chat – possibly lubricated with a generous nightcap -- Daniel Friebe * Outdoor Fitness *Highly recommended * Cycling World *

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Book Synopsis''It is late October, and the temperature is already -40C...My thoughts are filled with frozen rivers that may or may not hold my weight; empty, forgotten valleys haunted by emaciated ghosts and packs of ravenous, merciless wolves.''In 2004 Rob Lilwall arrived in Siberia equipped only with a bike and a healthy dose of fear. CYCLING HOME FROM SIBERIA recounts his epic three and a half year, 30,000 mile journey back to England via the foreboding jungles of Papua New Guinea, an Australian cyclone and Afghanistan''s war-torn Hindu Kush.A gripping story of endurance and adventure, this is also a spiritual journey giving a poignant insight into life on the road in some of the world''s toughest corners.www.roblilwall.comTrade ReviewI'm not sure Rob Lilwall knows it, but he has penned a two-wheeled classic. I wanted to rise up singing and strap on my bicycle clips. -- Kevin Rushby * The Guardian *Lilwall has a wonderful ability to inspire trust in his readers. * The Guardian *Lilwall's story is a remarkable one ... enhanced by the fact that he has a writer's skill for conveying a sense of place. * The Sunday Telegraph *A rite of passage adventure, full of thrills, excitement and endurance tests. * Irish Times *Not only describes different countries and their peoples, but also delves into the human heart. -- Amy Boucher Pye * Woman Alive *A real adventure story * The Baptist Times *Rob Lilwall is such a transparently decent, honest and likeable bloke that it is difficult not to become involved in the highs and lows of his journey. 7/10 -- Martin Spice * Times Educational Supplement *

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Book SynopsisThe inspiring story of one young man''s record-breaking solo cycle journey around the worldOn 15 February 2008, Mark Beaumont pedalled through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. 194 days and 17 hours previously, he had begun his attempt to circumnavigate the world in record time. Mark smashed the Guinness World Record by an astonishing 81 days. He had travelled more than 18,000 miles on his own through some of the harshest conditions one man and his bicycle can endure, camping wild at night and suffering from constant ailments.The Man Who Cycled the World is the story not just of that amazing achievement, but of the events that turned Mark Beaumont into the man he is today. From the early years of his free-spirited childhood in the Scottish countryside to present day, he has been equally determined not to settle for an average existence, but to break free and follow his dreams.Mark Beaumont grew up in the foothills of the Scottish Trade ReviewThe narrative is infused with human drama to keep the pages turning... impressive -- Clover Stroud * Sunday Telegraph *In 2008 Mark Beaumont completed the fastest ever circumnavigation of the world by bicycle, covering 18,296 miles in 194 days 17 hours and beating the previous record by 81 days. Here Beaumont describes that astonishing journey and how he became one of modern cycling's genuine heroes * London Review of Books *Readers will remember Mark Beaumont's staggering achievement of racing around the world in 2008. This is Mark's personal story of his marathon. I have scanned it once and read it twice thoroughly yet I'm not sure I've got all there is to be had from it. The journey was epic and it took a hero's mindset to contemplate the project, never mind actually carry it out. He includes laconic entries from his diary which really bring home how hard things were on the road. These often terse statements come across as very immediate and give the reader a very clear insight into how he was feeling. You'll have to buy the book to find out more... and by buying it you help keep a modern hero awheel! -- Gerry Frisby * Cycling World *If you think cycling on British roads is perilous, spare a thought for Mark Beaumont, the man who pedalled around the world in a record 194 days and 17 hours. His epic trek saw him battle hostile terrain in Turkey and Pakistan, endure fierce weather in Australia and get back in the saddle after a crash in America * Daily Express *There is much that is remarkable about Mark Beaumont and he has produced a well-written and highly readable account of his endeavour. What he does is something close to a blow-by-blow account of the enormous resolve and determination that were necessary to undertake the journey... Unusually for round-the-world accounts it picks up towards the end, rather than tailing off. Chasing a record at times seems like an odd reason for travellling so far - but by the end, I was willing him through the final few days * cycling-books.com *

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Book SynopsisWhen Emma O''Reilly joined the US Postal cycling team in 1996, she could have had no idea how she would become a central figure in the biggest doping scandal in sporting history. Yet when Lance Armstrong, starting his comeback from cancer, signed for US Postal, it was Emma, the only woman on the team, who became his personal soigneur. This is the definitive inside story of that time, and of the enormous repercussions that resonate to this day for Emma, Lance and the whole sport.Emma had the strength to break cycling''s omerta by speaking out against the culture of doping. She thought she would be one of many whistleblowers, doing what she believed was right. Isolated and shunned by the sport she loved, however, her reputation was systematically destroyed. And yet she had the courage to bounce back, and remarkably, to forgive those who made her existence a living hell. This is the ultimate memoir of truth and its many consequences.Trade ReviewImpartial, honest, brave... the definitive account of those years. * Irish Examiner, Books of the Year *Fascinating. * Irish Times, Books of the Year *Of all the depictions of Armstrong over the years, this is the most empathetic, unrelenting in its depiction of the doping monster, yet ultimately it is also forgiving. * The Guardian *Balanced and inspiring... Emma O'Reilly writes with great courage and honesty. * Julie Knowles, Waterstones *

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Book Synopsis''Chris is someone I''ve always looked up to. A true role model.'' - Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winnerAn invaluable manual for cyclists of all ages, experience and ability, which will help them achieve peak performance.Full of practical advice, this book includes information on:* Strength conditioning to improve your performance * Targeted training plans to focus on strengthening weaker areas * Bike care & maintenance* Riding different terrains & environments * Road cycling skills & safety The book will also help you explore your five key abilities of cycling fitness, defined as the maximum effort you can maintain for the following periods of time:* 6 seconds (max sprinting) * 30-60 seconds (sub-max sprinting) * 3-5 minutes (VO2 max) * 1 hour (zone of transition)* Several hours (long steady distance riding) This book is training toolbox to structure bespoke sessions to improve these five facets of performance. How to Ride a Bike also features diet and weight loss advice, the psychology of cycling, and stories and anecdotes from Sir Chris Hoy''s Olympic track career.Full of helpful and inspiring advice for those getting on a bike for the first time in a while, along with plenty of tips and tricks for seasoned cyclists looking to take it up a notch, this is a book for beginners and pros alike.

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Book SynopsisThis guidebook allows you to cycle from the Scottish border to the Isle of Wight, all via continuous traffic-calmed routes. The book also features the best of the North Sea Cycle Route and offers full north-south route directions, high-profile maps, visitor information, accommodation listings and a code to obtain GPS-tracks of the routes.

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Book Synopsis''The latest book from the inestimable and seemingly irrepressible Simon Warren.''thewashingmachinepostFrom the Gavia Pass to Mount Etna, from The Stelvio to The Zoncalan, these climbs are legends in Italy and the building blocks of the Giro d''Italia. Technology may advance, training and diet may evolve, but these world-famous mountains are a constant. They have witnessed triumph and despair, courage and heartache, they are where champions are made and where dreams are shattered. And yes, the greatest arenas of Italy''s greatest race are open 365 days of the year for any of us to ride. So take up the challenge, emulate your heroes and make your mark on the hundred greatest cycling climbs of Italy.Trade ReviewThe latest book from the inestimable and seemingly irrepressible Simon Warren. * thewashingmachinepost *

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Book SynopsisBy winning the 2019 Tour de France, Egan Bernal became the race''s youngest champion in 110 years, and the first from the South American nation of Colombia. His victory brought decades of national yearning to fruition. Colombia has long been the only developing nation contending at cycling''s highest level. Yet its cycling sons are not the products of a rigorous sports system that spots them in childhood and nurtures them through the ranks to the pinnacle of globalised sport. They come from harder backgrounds, that surprise, shock - even, at times, enchant.Colombia Es Pasión! explores the lives and dreams of each of the nation''s leading cyclists. Theirs are inspiring stories of overcoming poverty and violence, sickness and corruption, and achieving global sporting glory.''Takes you into the heart of both a sport and a country. The journey is well worth the effort'' Sunday Times''Wonderful'' Observer''Remarkable, aTrade ReviewMatt Rendell's passion for Colombia is evident in this wonderful sequel to Kings of the Mountains - another of his cycling books about that country. Here, he explores a new generation who have beaten poverty, violence and corruption, and can now, via two wheels, tell a story of a more peaceful, happier nation * THE OBSERVER *Matt Rendell's latest book Colombia Es Pasion! takes you into the heart of both a sport and a country. The journey is well worth the effort -- David Walsh * THE SUNDAY TIMES *Enjoyable, authentic and thorough...this book will enrich your understanding of many of today's top riders and the long, arduous paths they've taken to reach the top of their sport * THE INNER RING *Remarkable, a masterpiece, one of the best books written about cycling... The result of decades of knowing and understanding Colombia. Meticulously researched, and written with a lightness of touch. In particular, the dialogue is outstanding. Matt's best book - and he's written some stonking books...his love for the subject matter and his deep understanding shine through the pages -- Ned Boulting and David Millar * NEVER STRAYS FAR *The 'Mr Colombia' of the cycling press [has] an infectious enthusiasm for [his] subject that the army of online encyclopedia devotees could only hope to capture... the book covers the darker moments, including the harrowing story of the murder of Rigoberto Urán's father * CYCLING WEEKLY *These real-life stories are humbling and inspiring, and if reading them doesn't turn you into a fan of Colombian cycling it can only be because you already were a fan or because your heart is made of stone. It's safe to say that when the next Grand Tour rolls around I will be rooting for the Colombians, each and every one -- Rolf Rae-HansenNo outsider could be better equipped to write about cycling in Colombia than Rendell... extraordinary access to the major players in Colombian cycling... knowledgeable and passionate -- Richard Peploe * ROAD.CC *

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Book SynopsisNew from award-winning author Matt Rendell, an examination of the phenomenal success of Alejandro Valverde and the moral decay at the heart of Spanish cycling.''A study of a dominant force, a true gentleman racer despite his shadowy past'' Dan MartinAlejandro Valverde - the ''Green Bullet'' - was an international symbol of Spanish cycling for a quarter of a century before his retirement in 2022. Hard-working and supremely talented, he won the Vuelta a España and stood on the podium of the Giro d''Italia and the Tour de France. World champion in 2018, he was also the world''s number-one-ranked rider four times. A man of indisputable charisma, he was also a convicted doping cheat.When the Spanish police investigation, Operación Puerto, uncovered a vast international blood doping ring, Valverde denied all involvement. The revelations unearthed by Operación Puerto threatened to force cycling off the road.Valverde''s long career was a high wi

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Book SynopsisIn En Cyclo Pedia Johan Tell - award-winning Swedish writer and cycling obsessive - uncovers the very soul of cycling, exploring and explaining the many and varied stories that form the basis of cycling culture. Beautifully illustrated, with hundreds of entries ranging from Tour de France stages to illegal Alley Cat races, and cult heroes to cycling slang, Tell provides a personal insight into this complex world that only a cycling junkie can. From a pilgrimage to the Bianchi factory in Milan to scouring the streets of New York for the origins of the fixie, via the bicycle cafés of Barcelona and the cobblestones of Flanders, En Cyclo Pedia is a complete A to Z guide to the unique, indescribable character of global bike culture.Entries include:- Alley Cat Race- Bianchi- BMX- Brooks- Cafés- Campagnolo- Carbon Fibre- Drag- Environment- Films- Fixie- Grand Tours- Hand-built- Hipster- Lycra- Mountains- Nutrition- Oudenaarde- Paris-Roubaix- Quicksilver- Rouleur- Scalatore- Shaved Legs- Style- Tattoos- Ultracycling- Velodrome- XC- Zedler...and many more

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Book SynopsisLe Loop: How to Cycle the Tour de France is the incredible tale of how one man took on the world's toughest bike race. Ceri Stone is an ordinary guy. He wanted to do something extraordinary just once in his life. This book is the exhilarating story of that adventure. He lays out a template for personal success, garnered from some rich life experience, and he puts his theories to the test by cycling Le Loop. Le Loop is an annual charitable event where riders cycle the route of the Tour de France one week before the pros. This is an inspiring adventure for athletes of all levels that proves we can achieve our wildest dreams and laugh along the way. Much like the tour itself, there are extreme highs and lows, and Ceri faces them with a searingly honest sense of reflection and a trivial sense of humour. This story is warm, empowering and leaves you itching to get off your sofa - but with a template to succeed at the same time. Join Ceri in his quest to live a life less ordinary.Trade Review"Mr Stone is an accomplished storyteller… His book is an entertaining bouillabaisse of autobiography, social observation, and a self-help guide… The author skilfully describes what is going through someone’s head when riding the great climbs of France, the crises when things fall apart physically and the mental games you play to keep going… Le Loop is a thoughtful and humorous look at one man’s journey around France and also through life. Ceri Stone offers warm encouragement for you to Dream Big too." * PEZ Cycling News *"Ceri Stone’s book is an entertaining account of his determination to make it to Paris... Part memoir, part self-help book, Le Loop is an account of riding every stage of the Tour de France." * Cycle Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe biggest annual sports event in the world is the Tour de France. In the wake of its overwhelming popularity, it’s easy to forget that there is much more to cycling than whoever gets to wear the yellow jersey. Cycling is rich with legends and pioneers, and it is their stories which light up this compelling account of the sport. This is the story of British cycling as told through the lives of the people who built it. From the first recorded race in a Paris park in 1868 to the present day, Great British Cycling Legends profiles the true originals. Follow the most glorious exponents of road and track cycling, the mountain bikers and the cyclo-cross riders. There were the Victorians such as George-Pilkington Mills, a multi long-distance record holder, including that of Land’s End to John O’Groats on a penny farthing bicycle. Then there have been the significant firsts. Dave Marsh was the first British road-race world champion in 1922 and Maurice Burton was the first black British cycling champion in the 1970s. Eileen Sheridan was one of the first female professional cyclists and a major record-breaker into the 1950s. Great British Cycling Legends examines the personalities and their background of the key cyclists, to show what makes each of them legendary. All of them have, in their own ways, shown why cycling continues to exert such an extraordinary grip on the popular imagination.

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Book SynopsisThis is a definitive guide to the high-speed, high-adrenaline sport of cycle racing: essential reading for beginners and experienced racers. This title is packed with practical advice on bike selection, refuelling and different types of racing. It includes tailored training programmes and step-by-step features on key skills and in-it-to-win-it racing strategies. It also includes a guide to the world's top road, off-road and track races, with profiles of champions and the lowdown on famous competitions. It contains over 200 photos that evoke the thrills of the race as well as offering helpful guidance on riding positions and key manoeuvres. Among the most challenging sports in the world, competitive cycling is a high-speed, high-adrenaline experience and this book is the essential handbook for novices and more accomplished racers alike. Complete with detailed sections on road, off-road and track racing, this book will guide you through every different type of racing, from the intensity of time-trialling to the unique challenges of cyclo-cross and triathalon. Advice on bike selection for each style of racing is included, with step-by-step instructions to teach you essential skills and strategies to get ahead of the pack. All the great races are covered, with information on the different stages of each and profiles of champions. To help you on your way to racing success, tailored training programmes and specialized drills are provided so you can reach top-level fitness.

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Book SynopsisBonjour - Is This Italy? offers a unique and often hilarious insight into the challenges and excitement afforded by a lone motorcycle journey though Europe. In his quest to escape the frantic nature of London life, Kevin Turner heads south across France, crossing the Alps into Italy, and onto Rome, before returning via Germany – and the treacherous Nürburgring. Throughout, the author provides valuable advice to those considering a similar journey, noting the best and most scenic routes, where to stay, and what to see. This is interspersed with a raft of comic anecdotes that demonstrate exactly what NOT to do when lost on a motorbike in Europe.

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Book SynopsisThe Wild Atlantic Way is a driving route along Ireland's Atlantic seaboard, covering over 2,350km of coastline and showcasing the region's breathtaking landscapes. This guide adapts the route for cyclists - and throws in a couple of other highlights (such as the Aran Islands and Killarney) for good measure. Since relatively few people are likely to have seven weeks to spare for a full Wild Atlantic Way tour, the book presents six self-contained cycle tours, each offering 7-10 days of riding. For the full Wild Atlantic Way experience, these distinct routes can be linked together into a 44-stage trip from Derry/Londonderry to Cork. Each route includes detailed advice on accommodation and facilities, plus optional detours and shortcuts and points of interest. The routes themselves are presented as 'route cards': ideal for use with a cycle computer, these pages provide 'at a glance' information for when you're on the road, covering navigation, facilities and local highlights. The guide covers all the practicalities - including transport, equipment and general tips on cycling in Ireland.Table of ContentsMap Key Overview Map - Wild Atlantic Way Route summary table - Wild Atlantic Way Overview Map - the 6 tours Route summary table - the 6 tours Introduction Geology Wildlife and Flowers History What's in a Name? Built heritage and architecture Culture Getting There Getting Around When to Go Accommodation Health and Safety Food and Drink Language Money Post, Phones and Internet Cycling in Ireland What to Take Maps Using this Guide Route 1 Tour of Donegal Stage 1 Derry/Londonderry to Culdaff Stage 2 Culdaff to Clonmany Stage 3 Clonmany to Letterkenny Stage 4 Letterkenny to Portsalon Stage 5 Portsalon to Downies Stage 6 Downies to Bunbeg Stage 7 Bunbeg to Portnoo Stage 8 Portnoo to Carrick Stage 9 Carrick to Donegal Town Route 1 Route Cards Route 2 Into the Atlantic Stage 1 Donegal Town to Ballyshannon Stage 2 Ballyshannon to Sligo Stage 3 Sligo to Ballina Stage 4 Ballina to Belmullet Stage 5 Belmullet to Achill Stage 6 Tour of Achill Island Stage 7 Achill to Foxford Stage 7A WAW Link from Newport (Stage 7) to Westport Stage 8 Foxford to Sligo Route 2 Route Cards Route 3 Tour of Connacht Stage 1 Westport to Roonah Quay Stage 2 Tour of Clare Island Stage 3 Roonah Quay to Tully Stage 4 Tully to Clifden Stage 5 Tour of Inishbofin Stage 6 Clifden to Kilkieran Stage 7 Kilkieran to Galway Stage 8 Galway to Cong Stage 9 Cong to Westport Route 3 Route Cards Route 4 The Aran Islands and the Burren Stage 1 Galway to Inishmore Stage 2 Tour of Inishmore Stage 3 Tour of Inisheer Stage 4 Round the Burren Stage 5 Doolin to Kilrush Stage 6 Kilrush to Ennis Stage 7 Ennis to Limerick Stage 7A WAW Link from Limerick to Tarbert Route 4 Route Cards Route 5 The Southwest Peninsulas Stage 1A WAW Link from Tarbert to Tralee Stage 1 Tralee to Dingle Stage 2 Tour of the Dingle Peninsula Stage 3 Dingle to Killorglin Stage 4 Killorglin to Portmagee Stage 5 Portmagee to Caherdaniel Stage 6 Caherdaniel to Kenmare Stage 7 Kenmare to Killarney Stage 8 Killarney to Tralee Route 5 Route Cards Route 6 The Fuchsia Coast Stage 1 Kenmare to Allihies Stage 2 Allihies to Glengarriff Stage 3 Glengarriff to Schull Stage 4 Schull to Clonakilty Stage 5 Clonakilty to Kinsale Stage 6 Kinsale to Cork Route 6 Route Cards Appendix A Useful Contacts Appendix B Glossary Appendix C Deviations from the Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route Appendix D Further Reading

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Book SynopsisWhen Otto Ecroyd embarked on a voyage to sail a broken boat from Norway to France - and failed - he decided to do what any other hapless adventurer would do: cycle from Alaska to Mexico. But, as Otto says, he 'had never ridden further than across town.' So, with no experience, the wrong type of bike and with panniers overflowing with lentils, Otto pedals across vast American landscapes, cowers from juggernaut RVs, and all the while wonders when he will next meet a grizzly bear. En route, Otto's wit and self-deprecating charm ensure he wins many friends, from an array of regional characters, to a cosmopolitan mix of fellow long-distance cyclists, each with their own motivation for riding the hard miles. With some, he cycles leisurely in tandem; with others, in lungbusting sprints; and with others still, in bedraggled pelotons. But then, this is no grand depart from the daily grind to the upper echelons of sport, for Otto is not in it for the competition - just the adventure of a lifetime. Northbound and Down isn't Ranulph Fiennes crossing Antarctica, or 'The Man Who Cycled the World'. It's more entertaining than that. Three months in North America, 100km a day on a bike. The places, the people, the misadventures of the journey. Like a Bill Bryson book if Bill stayed out of the pub once in a while. The local wildlife in the northern frontier. The moose, the bears, the refugees from 'The Lower 48' states. The characters in cowboy country. People who defy any stereotype of heartland America, and those who definitely don't. Down the Pacific Coast, redwood forests, hippie surf towns, mansions and homeless camps. Californian plastic perfection and the weirdness of the American dream. The preparation for cycling 5,000 miles was questionable at best. The furthest Otto had ridden before landing in Anchorage was from London to Brighton. He rode through a golf course and along a motorway, did laps of Gatwick airport and rolled into Brighton two hours late, ready for bed. He learned how to fix a puncture from YouTube and discovered that not all Porsche drivers are dickheads. Otto's touring skills start from a low base. The steep learning curve and daily struggles with reality on the road bring humour to the book. The challenge and the shared experience with people along the way leads to a lasting sense of the rewards of adventure. Otto's motivations for embarking on this adventure were relatable ones. He was bored at work, too old to get wasted in every hostel in Latin America and too poor for a proper mid-life crisis. This is the story of a normal guy breaking out of the daily grind. Cheryl Strayed's 'Wild', but inspired by a struggle against a life on autopilot rather than a life collapsing. A whole middle class, middle career and middle fulfilled generation is in a similar position. They are searching for inspiration. Northbound and Down gives them a taste of this, without having to miss a mortgage payment. Northbound and Down is the everyman's take on breaking the everyday.

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Book SynopsisHow would any of us feel if we could meet our teenage selves, a ghost on the road? Everything Passes, Everything Remains is a confluence of journeys, made by Chris Dolan, his friends, and writers before him. It’s a bit about cycling, a bit about walking, and a bit about buses. It’s a kind of travelogue, over time, and through some lesser-known parts of Spain. It’s an obsession with Spain’s writers and its history, from the Inquisition to the Civil War to the questions it faces as a country today. What makes a nation, or a family for that matter, or a group of friends? In many ways it’s as much about Dolan’s native Scotland as Spain. But mostly, it’s about the highs and lows of growing up and growing older – how the past plays merry hell with the present. About friendship, loss, music, memory, and the demons that follow us as we try to make sense of our history and our place in the world.Trade Review"The warmth of friendship and wanderlust of retirement, making good on decades of dreaming – Everything Passes, Everything Remains is brilliantly relatable, a personal journey shared candidly, painting a vivid picture of Spain with self-deprecating Scottish humour." Mark Beaumont; "Magical. A story for our times and what it is to be alive now.’ Elaine C Smith; "Everything Passes, Everything Remains is the multi-talented Dolan’s 'My Back Pages': a rich, evocative ramble through Spain, history and memory. It’s a constant delight." Graeme Macrae Burnet; "A treat from start to finish… To those who love life, read this book." David Hayman; “You can be gallus enough to busk across Spain but your demons and weaknesses still come with you … Chris Dolan celebrates the power of cycling to link his friendships, music and the Iberian ways of life.” Alan Brown;“A life remembered, a past revisited, proof of the healing power of friendship… thoughtful, hopeful and beautifully written." Colin Blane, cyclist and former BBC Europe Correspondent

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The Official Tour de France Road Cycling Training Guide taps into the minds of the riders, coaches and experts who have experienced or raced the Tour de France first hand. Giving amateur cyclists the insider knowledge on how to adapt their training, nutrition and mental preparation for potentially their toughest day out on a bike. Alongside lifelong advice to improve your cycling performance, the book gives structured guidance on how to plan your season, incorporating some of the key training and nutrition strategies adopted by professional cyclists. This also includes unlocking and decoding training data, which has become a key aspect of cycling training, utilising training off the bike as well as on it and breaking down the psychological barriers that can hold some cyclists back.

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Book SynopsisI checked my balance and peered apprehensively at the sheer drop below. Once I felt comfortable, I radioed down to Stu.''I''m just gonna unclip quickly,'' I said.My walkie-talkie crackled straight away. Stu sounded pretty stressed. ''Dude, keep the rope on!''I edged forward, my hands and feet scoping out the summit for any loose rock. The ridge pinnacle was still only a meter wide, if that, but I felt pretty stable.''This bit''s fine,'' I said. ''The rope makes it harder for me...''Danny MacAskill lives on the edge.The cyclist is legendary for his YouTube viral videos like The Ridge, Cascadia and Imaginate: nerve-racking montages of stunts which scale everything from mountain peaks, rooftops, ghost towns and movie sets. His life is one of thrills, bloody spills and millions of online hits.It hasn''t been an easy ride. Doubt, stress and the ''what if?'' factor circle every trailblazing trick, which require imagination, fearlessness, groundbreaking techniques and an eye for a good camera angle. He has spent his life pushing the extremes; somehow, he''s still around to tell the tale.In this unflinching memoir of mayhem, Danny shares his anarchic childhood on the Isle of Skye and early days as a street trials rider, takes us behind the scenes of his training and videos, shares never-seen-before sketches from his personal notebook, and reveals what it takes to go the next level - both mentally and physically.Join Danny for a nerve-shredding ride. Just be sure to bring a crash helmet.Trade ReviewDanny Macaskill doesn't see the world in the same way as you or me . . . jaw-dropping * Forever Sport *MacAskill, quite literally, has the world at his feet * Telegraph *The best exponent of his art in the world today * Times *Revealing . . . Everything you wanted to know about what makes Danny so good, so driven, and so successful * road.cc *MacAskill, quite literally, has the world at his feet * The Telegraph *He's an internet stunt sensation * The Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisBlack Champions in Cycling is a thorough and thoughtful exploration of the rich and often overlooked history of Black cyclists. A world-leading expert on the history and lives of Black cycling champions, former elite racer and academic Dr Marlon Moncrieffe combines his own experience of elite-level racing with that of several contributors.

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Book SynopsisUltralight Bike Touring and Bikepacking is the result of over 100,000 miles of lightweight human-powered travel undertaken domestically and internationally by Justin Lichter and Justin Kline. Together they detail backcountry skills, bikepacking gear, and lightweight traveling techniques for self-supported cycling adventures, whether you're planning an overnighter or multi-month adventure. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran, this is the most comprehensive book yet on traveling further and lighter.

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Book SynopsisIt's time we all stopped whining and learned a thing or two from The Toughest Cyclists Ever. Including: Stephen Roche, whose cure for exhaustion was to go up a gear and fight harder, all the way to the ambulance. Eddy Merckx, who hurt himself so badly in breaking the Hour record that, he estimated, he shortened his career by a year. Beryl Burton, who crushed her (male) rival's morale with the offer of a piece of liquorice, before speeding past to victory. Nicole Cooke and Edwig Van Hooydonck, who rejected dope and became legends. The Hardmen tells the stories - the good bits, anyway - of the 40 most heroic Cyclists ever. Their bravery, their panache and their Perfect Amount of Dumb. It reminds us that suffering on a bike liberates us from our daily lives, and that, in the words of Lance Armstrong "pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever"; proof that even assholes can be insightful.Trade ReviewFresh, often amusing, always impressive. The Velominati's relish and innocent love of the sport comes through time and time again-they just get the whole contrast between the pain and beauty of cycling that makes it so irresistible. An unharnessed, joyous celebration. * RideVelo *Full of bravery, stupidity, panache, pluckiness and nerve, each story is a reminder of a certain sense of escapism that sport can provide. But at what cost? For some, it involved shortening careers by up to a year and, for others, being wheeled away in an ambulance. Either way, helping celebrate road cycling with a unique (and, at times, painful) viewpoint, The Hardmen proves that we can learn a thing or two from some of the world's best sportsmen * Men's Health *

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Book SynopsisOur list of 122 cycling climbs in the alps. The map shows the location of each coll with the climb distance and gradient labelled from a specific starting location. The climbs are categorised into level of difficulty based on the height gained and distance travelled - length of climb and total height Green - Easy (Hard) Blue - Medium (Difficult) Red - Difficult (Extreme) Information Key: Name of the Coll, height of the coll Second line: distance start point climbed from start point, height gained, maximum gradient. Print: 170 gsm silk art print with scratch coating. Frame not supplied. Size: A2 - 59.4 (h) x 42 (w) cm Packaging: Packaged in a well designed quality tube perfect for the gifting.

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Sports Book Awards 2018 for Biography of the Year and Cycling Book of the Year There are things he does alone, and things that he alone does. Jacques Anquetil was a cyclist with an aristocratic demeanor and a relaxed attitude to rules and morals. His womanising and frank admissions of doping appalled 1960s French society, even as his five Tour de France wins enthralled it. Paul Fournel was besotted with him from the start ("Too young to understand, I was nevertheless old enough to admire") and followed Anquetil's career with the passion of a fan and the eye of a poet. In this stunningly original biography of a complex and divisive character, Fournel - author of the seminal Vélo (or Need for the Bike)- blends the story of Anquetil's life with scenes from his own, to create a classic of cycling literature.Trade ReviewA wonderful little book about a great man -- Tim Krabbé, author of The RiderAt last the coolest of champions gets the biography he deserves -- Richard WilliamsIf you don't know Fournel, then you're missing out, if you don't know Anquetil, then you don't know cycling. -- David MillarAn unconventional take on a fascinating character. This is not your standard cycling biography - and all the better for it. -- Gary ImlachWhat a wonderful book Paul has written. It's is one of the most powerful cycling books I've ever read - certainly the best biography. -- Michael HutchinsonEvokes the mysticism which surrounded Jacques beautifully -- Herbie SykesA magnificent book * Le Monde *A beautiful story * Le Figaro *A profound essay * Libération *Praise for Vélo: Joyous. Destined to become a classic * Road.cc *One of the loveliest pieces of writing about cycling * Cyclingtips *Praise for Need for the Bike 'Paul Fournel is the real deal. In his carefully cadenced prose poem...he shares a passion for the sport matched only by his love of language. * Bicycling *A fascinating mix of bicycling memories, observations, and experiences the author has gathered during a lifetime of cycling ... This very personal book, doled in short, easily digestible doses, packs a meal that ultimately satisfies deeply * ForeWord *

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Book SynopsisHere is a book that will answer (almost) all of a beginning and experienced bicyclist's questions about how to get the most out of the activity, while protecting yourself and saving money where possible. Fully illustrated in full color, this is the bike book every rider needs to get started -- and keep going!

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Book SynopsisThe legendary disgraced cyclist Bjarne Riis bares his notoriously private soul.

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Book SynopsisPush until it hurts, then push some moreEven by the standards of a sport that requires enormous stamina and capacity for suffering, Jens Voigt is in a class on his own. Beloved by cycling fans for his madcap one-man breakaways as much as his sense of humour and quotable catchphrases, Jens is one of the most popular personalities in cycling.Jens was born near Hamburg, and came up through the East German system before the Wall came down. He got into the national team through the German army, before signing for his first big team. In many ways he is cycling’s anti-star; despite arguably spending more time at the front of the Tour de France than any other rider he has only worn the yellow jersey twice as his efforts have always been in the service of others.Jens embodies the best of cycling’s qualities – loyalty to his team, sacrifice, and devotion to the sport. He says, ‘I’m not a head person, I’m more of a heart and guts guy. That’s how I race.’ Shut Up Legs is a funny, insightful and entertaining look at the tough realities of professional cycling, told in Jens’s trademark irreverent and inimitable style.Trade ReviewVoigt defied age, logic, and, regularly, common sense, to craft magical, against-all-odds stage wins * Velonews *Cycling's beloved superfreak * Wall Street Journal *Suffering and Voigt are inseparable … but the man is much more than a catchphrase * Cyclist.co.uk *One of the most recognisable and loved riders in the peloton thanks to his fearsome attacks, irrepressible good humour and memorable sound bites * Cycling news *Classic ‘Jensism’ “Shut up legs!” titles a book that appraises the nuts, bolts, and uncharacteristic German sense of humour behind of one of cycling’s most complex and charismatic characters. * GQ *

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Book SynopsisFor those new to BMX racing or improving their racing performance, BMX Racing, provides a practical and comprehensive resource for this exciting sport. It guides the reader through all stages and levels of racing, from beginner and club to professional level. Topics covered include: clothing and equipment for safe riding; choosing your first BMX bike; understanding the BMX track; getting started in racing and competition structure through the national, international and Olympic levels. Finally, there is practical instruction on techniques including balance, accelerating, cornering and jumping.

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Book SynopsisThis new, flexible trail appeals to both walkers and cyclists. Walk 50 miles from Loch Tay to Perth, or cycle 65 miles from Loch Tay to Dundee or mix and match. Or use Scotland's longest river for part of your journey by boat or kayak. Create your own adventure.Perthshire is home to grand scenery, famous trees and glorious wildlife. Both routes start from Loch Tay, where the nearby Crannog Centre celebrates Iron Age history, crafts and heritage. The walking route passes along forest tracks, ancient paths and disused railway trackbed,whilst cyclists follow cycleways NCN7 and 77 on tarmac.Enjoy a valley rich in native woodlands, birds and red squirrels. The River Tay is home to salmon and half of the world's freshwater pearl mussels.Most walkers will need 5-6 days to complete the 50-mile journey to Perth via Dunkeld. Cyclists with suitable bikes can complete the longer route from Loch Tay to Dundee via Perth over 2 to 3 days. Walkers and cyclists can divide the route into manageable sections and stay in welcoming villages.The guidebook features detailed directions and concise background, with illustrated sections on prehistory, heritage and wildlife.It offers practical help with accommodation and refreshments, and recommendsside-trips along the way. Lavishly illustrated, the book features customised mapping on 25 of its 80 pages, has over 100 colour photos and is perfect bound.

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Book SynopsisWith a foreword by Eddy MerckxThe world of professional cycling is fraught with fierce competition, fervent dedication and unerring ambition, and only a handful of competitors reach iconic status. Among them is Sir Bradley Wiggins a man uniquely placed to reflect on the history of this remarkable sport and its unforgettable titans.In Icons, Wiggins takes the reader on an extraordinarily intimate journey through the sport, presenting key pieces from his never-before-seen collection of memorabilia. Over the course of his illustrious career, he amassed hundreds of items often gifts from its greatest and most controversial figures. Each reflects an icon, a race or a moment that fundamentally influenced Wiggins on both a personal and professional level.By exploring the lives and achievements of 21 of the sport's key figures among them Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil, Miguel Induráin and Tom Simpson Wiggins sheds new light on what professional cycling demands of its best competitors. IconTrade Review‘If, like me, you’re a fan of cycling, you must have this book… Bradley’s collection of iconic jerseys is breath-taking and includes the 1949 yellow jersey of a personal hero of mine Fausto Coppi.’ – Paul Smith ‘Rather beautiful and an intriguing blend of cycling history and personal snippets.’ – The Guardian ‘An intriguing blend of historical research, fanboy memoir and candid confession’.’ – Cyclist ‘If you ever wanted to know about the events and people that influenced Bradley Wiggins' early cycling career and led to his love of the sport, then Icons is the book for you.’ – Road.cc

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