Cycle racing Books

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvery July since 1903, interrupted only by world wars, the finest cyclists have assembled to ride the 2,500 miles of La Grande Boucle. Simply to complete a Tour de France is the ambition of every professional cyclist - and to wear the legendary yellow jersey, is a special honour..Golden Stages is now republished, to coincide with the 100th Tour.Trade Review:"...a book for the serious fan." Matt Seaton, The Guardian " This is a collection of inspiring, informative and often lyrical essays by sixteen cycling enthusiasts, all indefatigable admirers of the giants of the Tour..." Graham Robb, Times Literary Supplement "Excellent in every way, this book is a triumph of the new wave of British sports-writing." Tim Hilton, Independent on Sunday

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis guide to the best single track mountain biking in Spain offers comprehensive travel and cycling information advising riders what to do both on and off their bikes.

Read more less

Book SynopsisContains books which provide directions; route profiles; GPS co-ordinates and local information.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is the second edition of the definitive and bestselling guide to great mountain biking throughout England and Wales. With new clearer maps, updated content and the addition of the latest mountain bike centres.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisHelmet use can substantially reduce the risks associated with bicycle injuries, as these protective devices can prevent an array of serious facial injuries. A meta-analysis was carried out looking to summarise studies into the helmet use of adolescents and young adults, where the authors found a U-trend between age and helmet use, with the proportion of individuals regularly wearing a helmet declining first and then rising with reference to the progression of age. The increasing trend in young adults has been well-documented in the literature, but few studies have looked into helmet use among adolescents. In this book, produced in collaboration with the Bicycle Safety and Awareness Club in Ontario, Canada, the authors present survey studies conducted in independent schools in North America, looking into bicycle and helmet use of adolescents.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWednesday 1 August 2012 will live forever in the memory of all those who witnessed Bradley Wiggins's stunning Time Trial gold at the London 2012 Olympics. And this less than 10 days after his sensational Tour de France triumph, when he became the first Briton to top the podium.

Read more less

Book Synopsis*SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2023 SPORTS BOOK AWARDS CYCLING BOOK OF THE YEAR*The gripping and revealing autobiography of one of Britain's most successful international cyclists of the modern era'Getting in a break was my one chance of winning. The hard part was working out, again and again, how to make that chance count'Sharp, resourceful and a permanent outsider; for nearly 20 years Steve Cummings determinedly blazed his own winning trail in international cycling. A maverick who defied the dominant teams, to record a sequence of gloriously improbable victories, he has lived and raced with legends of the sport - Cavendish, Wiggins, Froome, Thomas and others - about whom he has strong views and untold stories.This autobiography of one of Britain's most successful international riders of the modern era takes the reader from Steve's earliest days as a junior, pounding across the flatlands of the Wirral, through his love-hate relationships with the British Cycling track cycling squad, to his series of top-level breakaway victories in the Tour de France, Tour of Britain and Vuelta a España and - rather than standout physical talent - how developing his own strategies and training techniques enabled him to succeed against the odds.The Break will be the first full-length account of the life and times of, in the words of ProCycling magazine, a 'universally popular and respected rider in the cycling world'.Trade ReviewIf you wanted me to pinpoint the main reason why Steve succeeded, it's the way he sees bike racing, his willingness to try something new, to do something differently ... There are so many guys out there who are strong, but Steve didn't just have the legs, he had the brains and the head for it all as well and that was his big advantage. * Geraint Thomas *Table of Contentsi: Foreword: Geraint Thomas ii: Preface: The Landmark That Wasn't 1: Doughnuts 2: Dilemmas 3: Contrasts 4: 2008-09: Road or Track? 5: Man on a Mission 6: The Wrong Kind of Limits: Team Sky 2010-11 7: No Stress Man 8: Roller Coaster 9: A Human Time Bomb 10: Mandela Day 11: Why I Couldn't Train with Mark Cavendish 12: The Right Direction 13: A Race Against Time 14: Back to My Roots 15: Bottles, Britain and a New Beginning iii: Nine Lessons iv: Palmarés v: Acknowledgements vi: Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith the help of detailed descriptions, illustrated by more than a hundred pictures, the beginner learns how to get started and which possible mistakes he can avoid. He also learns how to avoid injuries. Helpers can also learn how they can best provide support to the beginner. The book also includes chapters about advanced techniques like riding backwards, idling, bunny hopping, and Mountain Unicycling (MUni) for beginners, as well as a selection of different teaching methods and many games for the unicycle. The team sport "Unihockey" is also included. In the second part, variations of the ordinary unicycle like 'Giraffes' and 'Ultimate wheels' and some basic tricks are presented. At the end of the book you can read important tips about buying a suitable unicycle and how to maintain and repair it. Finally, a list of unicycling links on the internet is also included.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGeoff Thomas's heroic battle to overcome leukaemia, and then take on the toughest sporting challenge: to ride the Tour de France'A wonderfully compelling read' INDEPENDENT'RIDING THROUGH THE STORM details movingly and eloquently how Thomas fought cancer and then took on the Tour de France to prove how alive he was ... All human life graces Thomas' outstanding book' DAILY TELEGRAPHWhen Geoff Thomas struggled to play a friendly game of tennis while on holiday in Mallorca in May 2003, he thought little of it. Recently retired as a footballer, he believed it was a sign of ageing and perhaps a pulled muscle. But when the pain wouldn't go away, his wife Julie persuaded him to go to a doctor. He was diagnosed as having leukaemia.RIDING THROUGH THE STORM focuses on his journey round the Tour de France in the summer of 2005, riding the 2,240-mile course in the 21 days it takes Lance Armstrong and all the top cyclists, despite never having cycled much before. Despite the odds against him achieving it, he rode the course and raised nearly £200,000 for charity. As he rides, he looks back on his successful career as a footballer, and the bone-marrow transplant that saved his life. This is a powerful, moving and inspirational story of extraordinary achievement.Trade ReviewA wonderfully compelling read * INDEPENDENT *RIDING THROUGH THE STORM details movingly and eloquently how Thomas fought cancer and then took on the Tour de France to prove how alive he was ... All human life graces Thomas' outstanding book * DAILY TELEGRAPH *

Read more less

Book SynopsisCycle Road Racing provides a practical and instructional guide for those entering into cycle road racing, and those improving their performance. It covers the latest developments in racing and cycle technology, and guides the reader through all stages of racing, from setting up the bike correctly to race day itself. The book includes material on: clothing, equipment and setting up your bike; training, including the use of turbo training in winter and sample training plans; techniques such as cornering, climbing and descending; avoiding injury and recovery after injury and finally and very importantly, nutrition. There is also in-depth coverage of time trials and veterans racing and a section on computerisation of racing, such as use of sat navs and computerised training aids.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFew champions have astonished the world as much as Lance Armstrong. A cancer survivor who went on to win the Tour de France an unprecedented seven times, he is an inspiration to millions. Now the full story can be told. With complete access to Armstrong, and to his inner circle, and drawing on interviews with family members and training partners, coaches and celebrities, team-mates and rivals, friends and foes, sportswriter John Wilcockson tells of those who helped Armstrong along the way - including his mother Linda, his ex-wife Kristin and one-time fiancée Sheryl Crow - and explores the traits of character that made Armstrong unique. The story of Lance Armstrong is one of brutal, painful effort, of natural brilliance, of relentless ambition, of extraordinary glory. His achievement is all the more stunning for its unconventionality: a boy from small-town America who beat the world. Brash and fiercely competitive, Armstrong has never been without close friends or bitter enemies. His achievements have been dogged by accusations of doping, accusations of secrecy, and by questions about how triumph on such a grand scale could be possible - questions that are addressed head on in LANCE ARMSTRONG. Tracing the highs and lows, and bringing alive the drama of the races in which Armstrong smashed expectations time after time, LANCE ARMSTRONG gives the complete story of a matchless champion.Trade Review'The incredible story of the triumph of mind over body. Truly inspiring' * Time Out *Praise for 23 DAYS IN JULY * : *A must-read for all cycling fans. * BBC Sport *Sport is about the assertion of the will and that makes Armstrong the greatest athlete practising his trade * The Times *Captures the thrill of a race persistently immersed in controversy and rumour. * Irish Times *Fascinating ... Wilcockson manages to penetrate the psychological depths of the race's stars. * British Cycling *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith routes spanning the province, here is everything you need to explore the highways and byways of Munster – on two wheels. This popular guide has now been updated to include the Waterford Greenway, which officially opened in spring 2017. The route, set against the glorious backdrop of the Comeragh Mountains, runs for 46km along an old railway line between Waterford and Dungarvan, crossing three stunning viaducts and taking in charming villages along the way. Graded cycles along the greenway are outlined, from shorter jaunts to suit families, through challenges for intermediate cyclists, up to a 92km loop of the whole route for the experienced. Each of the routes in the guide is graded by difficulty, from the gentlest, shortest circuits in Cork, through Tipperary, Limerick and Clare, to the thigh-burning Ring of Kerry, and Waterford’s Copper Coast and Grand Vee. Each cycle is prefaced with summary information and illustrated with photos, a custom-drawn map and a gradient graph. You will also learn about the historical sites and natural landmarks you’ll see along the way, as well as getting tips on where to stop for a coffee. Cycle stunning coastal roads on the Wild Atlantic Way. Challenge yourself on mountain passes. Pedal through tranquil woods and lakesides, charming towns and villages. Discover routes to suit all abilities and many hidden gems.Trade Review'Droll guidebook adds a human touch that helps the miles roll by.' Irish Examiner * Irish Examiner *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis guidebook describes 37 day rides for all abilities, and 22 linking routes for more experienced cycle tourists, allow riders to visit all the essential sights in over 20 islands of the Hebrides and of the Firth of Clyde. Routes range from those suitable for short weekend breaks to a challenging 600-mile tour (includes the 200 mile Hebridean Way / NCR 780 along the length of the Outer Hebrides). Whether you're putting together a fortnight's tour or just enjoying a few day rides from a single base, this guide is packed with useful information to help you make the most of your trip. The Hebridean islands offer a wealth of wonderful scenery: the majestic Cuillin mountains on Skye; the otherworldly palm trees on Bute; the marvellous white shell sands on Tiree and Harris. This guidebook features detailed custom mapping and elevation profiles for all routes, and comprehensive information of ferry and transport routes, accommodation, food and drink, supplies, cycle spares and repairs. Island hopping in these islands is a magical experience. The guide visits over 20 of them and each has its own interesting history and wildlife. Reasonably fit cyclists can enjoy these routes at their own pace; experienced cycle tourists will eat up the miles.Table of ContentsCONTENTS Map key Overview map INTRODUCTION Terrain Wildlife and plants History and culture Getting there Getting around The weather and when to go Where to stay Preparing your bike Preparing yourself Planning your trip What and how to pack Riding comfortably Riding in a group Using this guide Maps and itineraries 1 CLYDE AND KINTYRE Introduction LINK ROUTES 1A Gourock to Ardrossan 1B Dunoon to Portavadie 1C Auchenbreck to Rothesay 1D Brodick to Lochranza 1E Claonaig to Tayinloan 1F Kennacraig to Oban DAY ROUTES 1.1 Circuit of south Arran 1.2 Circuit of north Arran 1.3 Circuit of Great Cumbrae 1.4 Circuit of Bute 1.5 Gigha 2 COLONSAY, ISLAY AND JURA Introduction LINK ROUTES 2A Port Ellen to Port Askaig DAY ROUTES 2.1 South coast of Islay 2.2 Circuit of northwest Islay from Bridgend 2.3 Circuit of central Islay from Bowmore 2.4 Circuit of southwest Islay (The Rhinns) 2.5 Craighouse and back from Feolin Ferry 2.6 Circuit of Colonsay 3 MULL, COLL AND TIREE Introduction LINK ROUTES 3A Craignure to Tobermory 3B Lochaline to Salen 3C Salen to Kilchoan 3D Salen to Mallaig DAY ROUTES 3.1 Slate Islands 3.2 Kerrera 3.3 Circuit across Lismore from Oban 3.4 Circuit of central Mull 3.5 Circuit of northern Mull 3.6 Out to Iona 3.7 Coll 3.8 Circuit of west Tiree 3.9 Fishbone ride in east Tiree 4 SKYE AND RAASAY Introduction LINK ROUTES 4A Ullapool to Armadale 4B Stromeferry to Uig DAY ROUTES 4.1 Across the Sleat Peninsula from Armadale 4.2 Elgol and back from Broadford 4.3 A three-legged ride from Carbost. 4.4 Around the Duirinish Peninsula 4.5 Circuit of the Trotternish Peninsula 4.6 Circuit of central Skye 4.7 Skye Bridge/Glenelg circuit from Kyle of Lochalsh 4.8 Raasay 5 BARRA AND THE UISTS Introduction LINK ROUTES 5A Castlebay to Lochboisdale 5B Dalabrog to Clachan 5C Clachan to Berneray 5D Clachan to Berneray Junction DAY ROUTES 5.1 Circuit of Barra and Vatersay 5.2 South Uist machair from Tobha Mor 5.3 Circuit of North Uist 6 HARRIS AND LEWIS Introduction LINK ROUTES 6A Leverburgh to Tarbert (west) 6B Leverburgh to Tarbert (east) 6C Tarbert to Stornoway 6D Liurbost to Barvas 6E Stornoway to Butt of Lewis DAY ROUTES 6.1 Circuit of south Harris 6.2 Huisinis from Tarbert 6.3 Scalpay from Tarbert 6.4 Callanish by the Pentland Road 6.5 West Lewis from Gearraidh na h'Aibhne 6.6 The Bridge to Nowhere from Stornoway APPENDICES APPENDIX A Link route summary table APPENDIX B Day route summary table APPENDIX C Ferry routes APPENDIX D Suggested tours APPENDIX E Day trips to islands APPENDIX F Cycle shops and cycle hire APPENDIX G Hostels APPENDIX H Tourist information APPENDIX I Further reading

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisJ. B. Wadley's career as a cycling journalist spanned more than 40 years and encompassed every aspect of the sport. The first British writer to cover the Tour de France and the great one-day Classics, his were the words that first put us in among the continental peloton. But he was equally at home among crack-of-dawn time-trialists, trackmen, randonneurs and record-breakers. His enthusiasm embraced them all, and he wrote about each aspect of cycle sport with an authority and an inimitable eye-witness style that never failed to convey its particular drama. All of this is reflected in this selection of his work, drawn from his early days as a young reporter with The Bicycle, through the years when he edited Sporting Cyclist and then International Cycle Sport, to his last major book, My 19th Tour de France.Trade Review'Jock Wadley's beautiful turn of phrase could be applied equally to touring theme or race report, and he carried you, the reader, along with him as though you were riding tandem and hearing his words borne from the front saddle.' Peter Bryan

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhy did Reg Harris want to become a professional road racer? Why did Britain's top time-triallist sit on a dustbin to annoy the RTTC? Why did Jacques Anquetil want to put the British '25' record on the shelf for three decades? And what stopped British cycling being as great as it could have been? How could people passionate about bike-racing, and dedicated to the sport they loved, have made sure that it never became a major sport in Britain, and that British cycling never became a force in the world? This Island Race has the answers and all the fascinating anecdotes and insights that go with them. It tells of blood on the carpet, of lifelong feuds and personal animosities, and of the fear, jealousies and suspicion that have riddled British cycling from the days of the penny-farthing. It could almost be a crime novel. But this is British cycling - seen from the inside. Les Woodland has spent a lifetime in cycling as an organiser, coach and writer - in Britain, in Flanders and now in France. That, and a passion for the history of the sport, have given him an unusual insight into the dusty corners of British and world cycling. His books have been published across the world and in numerous languages.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSheffielder Tony Hewson is a former champion racing cyclist who won the 1955 Tour of Britain and went on to represent his country in the Warsaw - Berlin - Prague and the Tour de France. His first book, "In Pursuit of Stardom", was a widely acclaimed memoir of the 1950s telling how he and his companions faced handicap and privation in their struggle to earn a living a-wheel on the European continent. "A Cyclist's Worst Nightmare" covers a similar time-scope, though as a collection of individual but interrelated stories it employs a variety of different literary genres - autobiography, biography, discourse and fiction. Whilst each piece can be enjoyed in its own right, the work as a whole casts light on an era of UK cycling history in the aftermath of World War II that until now has been somewhat neglected and forgotten. Some events, for example the tumultuous birth and demise of the rebel British League of Racing Cyclists that split the sport and framed its future, have ramifications to this day. From foul-mouthed Jean Robic ('I haven't enough enemies!') to aggressive Korean war-veteran Reg ('Heroes we were - fat thanks we get.') via bullied national service 'nutter' Michael ('a queer boy wi' them fancy togs n' that weird show-off bike'), the mood is one of a shared sense of grievance from real and imagined characters who see themselves as put-upons in search of recognition. The theme of the social outsider will ring bells with any reader who has ever been a committed cyclist in the British Isles, and will also be of interest to many who have not.

Read more less

Book Synopsis2010 is the centenary of the introduction of the Pyrenees into the Tour de France route. It was a contentious decision at that time to send riders on their primitive bicycles into the high mountains. How Tour organiser Henri Desgrange was tricked by his assistant, Georges Steines, into agreeing to direct his riders over 2,000-metre cols is one of the great legends of Tour history. The 1910 race was won by the French champion Octave Lapize, who added to the controversy on the top of the Col du Tourmalet by shouting out to the Tour officials, 'Vous etes des assassins! Oui, des assassins!' - 'You are murderers! Yes, murderers!' For Lapize himself, this was his only Tour victory, but he was an outstanding one-day classics rider and also a fine track cyclist, winning a bronze medal at the 1908 Olympics. During the First World War Lapize, a fighter pilot in the French army, was shot down in June, 1917, and died in a hospital the following month. For all his initial misgivings, Desgrange had no hesitation in calling the Pyrenean venture a great success and those high cols immediately became an indispensable part of any Tour route. In the 100 years since Octave Lapize's first epic ascent the Tourmalet has figured 73 times. Author, Jean Bobet, writes: In the early 1950s, my brother Louison and I were living in the Eastern suburbs of Paris. Each time we went training, we would cycle past the Cafe Lapize in Villiers-sur-Marne. This Lapize seemed to follow us everywhere. At the time, Lapize toe straps were the only ones on the market. At the Montlhery motor racing circuit there was the famous slope known as the Cote Lapize, which determined the outcome of every race held there. Back in Villiers-sur-Marne, you couldn't find Octave Lapize at the cafe any more. We knew he had been killed in the war, the 1914-18 one. People even said he died a hero. The Cafe Lapize belonged to the champion's father. One day, I ducked under the arbour at the entrance and went inside. Across the large room, I came face to face with the great Octave Lapize, in a large pastel drawing on the wall, resplendent in his French champion's tricolour jersey. I was looking at the portrait of a true aristocrat. An inscription underneath read "Winner of the Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix (three times), Paris-Brussels (three times).' I spent fifty years thinking about Octave Lapize. Then, one day, I decided to follow his tracks and tell his story. Thanks to him, I experienced the golden age of cycling at the beginning of the twentieth century. The Lapize years.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is a biography of Brian Robinson, racing cyclist. Brian Robinson, the first Englishman ever to complete the Tour de France, went on to make a career as a professional cyclist in what is generally regarded as one of the toughest eras in a very tough sport. He adapted to French life, the continental style of racing and the taxing demands of a long season with clear-headed tenacity. For all the British riders who later followed him to Europe - and there have not been many since his days as a lone coureur anglais, still a comparatively rare breed - he was, without dispute, the great pioneer.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAt the age of 20, Dennis Horn won his first English Rose - the emblem of a National track champion. Throughout the 1930s he rapidly graduated from the rough and tumble of makeshift grass track racing at country fairs and gala sports days in provincial towns to assail the heights of British track cycling on the great urban cycling bastions of the time - the hard-surfaced stadiums of London's Herne Hill and Manchester's Fallowfield - and become the star of British track racing. Every year from 1931 to 1938 he was awarded the season-long Meredith Trophy to add to those legendary gold and silver cups he'd won in fiercely contested track battles in front of crowds of tens of thousands. It was a cycling scene entirely unique to Britain in the years before World War II. But this is more than a simple tale of a strapping rural lad who took on and beat the streetwise metropolitan champions of his era. Dennis Horn, son of a Fenland blacksmith, proved himself to be as astute as any of his urban contemporaries at treading the fine line between amateurism and professionalism as defined by the puritanical British cycling establishment of their day.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDutch sportswriter, Nando Boers, and Pedro Horrillo, a Spanish cyclist riding for the Dutch Rabobank team, conceived the idea at the end of 2008 to correspond regularly via email throughout the coming season. They would exchange thoughts about the racing, the results and events in the cycling world. The correspondence, starting early in 2009 begins in that fashion - two friends swapping stories and experiences. Then in May everything changes, utterly: Horrillo crashes, horrifically, in the Giro d'Italia, tumbling 80 metres down a cliff face. Miraculously, after days in a coma, he survives but he will never race again. The correspondence is eventually resumed, and continues in fits and start over the next three years. Boers, infinitely patient and encouraging, is able to cope with long periods of silence from his friend. He understands the psychological healing will take longer than the physical. Then in 2012, Horrillo is able to confront his demons, returning to the scene of his crash where 'my first life ended and my second life began' and describing it in one beautiful, final letter. 'Amigo, here is the story of my pilgrimage to Italy.When you've read this, hopefully you'll understand that I feel free and relieved. ' The book includes 12 pages of black and white photographs by Timm Kolln.Trade Review"Amigo closes with two quite lengthy letters from Horrillo, written in late 2012, in which he confronts the demons of his crash and these, along with some of the early correspondence, are the real gems of the book. The other letters are the digging away of the topsoil in order to get at what lay beneath: they are ultimately rewarding, but not as beautiful as the book's mother lode.The first of those final letters concerns events in the hospital in Bergamo in the days after Horrillo's crash, and are intense and surreal and startlingly funny. Horrillo relates as fully as he can the dreams, the hallucinations he suffered in the days after the crash, dreams fuelled in part by that novel he had been reading, Bolano's2666, as well as by the medication he was on and the trauma of his accident. The second letter sees Horrillo return to the Culmine di San Pietro, undertaking a pilgrimage to the place where he was born again, where a professional cyclist passed and a new life began. These final two letters are the reason you will want to read Amigo. While either would fit perfectly into a magazine like Rouleur - they are of that quality of writing - the correspondence leading up to them, which can be equally frustrating (reflecting the reality of the time) and illuminating, gives them extra meaning".-[Feargal MaKay, podiumcafe];"Amigo is, having said all that, a truly excellent book, one that will bear re-reading over many years, and at times an almost unwitting view into the psyche of a particularly aware professional cyclist, untainted by the perceived constraints of media training. Both men are of an intellectual nature as is notably evident from reading but the first few pages. There is an intriguing complexity to their correspondence that hints at the whole being considerably greater than the sum of its parts... Set aside as much time and understanding as you can before sitting down and reading. The more effort you put into reading and appreciating Amigo, the greater will be the rewards. A possible contender for Sports book of the Year I'd warrant, but one that would happily inhabit a wider field of appreciation and influence than simply that of the velocipede." - Brian Palmer, [the washingmachinepost]

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne of THE 10 MUST-READ CYCLING BOOKS OF 2014 according to the influential Peloton magazine. This is the story of Luis Ocana, the champion cyclist whose entire career constantly veered between heroism and tragedy, always missing out the middle way. Born into abject poverty during Spain's 'years of hunger' and brought up in France, throughout his adult life he suffered from the effects of his childhood malnutrition and the perpetual question of self-identity - the common lot of the exile - Spanish or French, or neither one nor the other? Enigmatic and contradictory, Ocana was driven by a fierce pride, and an all-or-nothing scorn for caution and careful calculation which made him one of the most dramatically exciting riders ever.This is a biography that has been a long time in the making. Carlos Arribas, cycling correspondent of the newspaper El Pais, and Spain's foremost cycling author, has spent years compiling the material and admits that, even as a child, he was affected by Ocana's repeated misfortunes.What he has written is more than a conventional biography. He defines it as a 'fictionalised life story', or a 'biographical novel'.All the duly documented facts are there, but to that solid skeleton has been added the flesh and blood of imagined (but totally plausible) conversations, meetings and encounters. These are not mere decoration; they serve perfectly to recreate the emotions and recollections of those who knew him, encountered him, loved him, or coped with him. It also provides a compelling entry into exploring the complex personality of Ocana himself."If I was going to write one story about cycling it would have to be that of Ocana. He was the cyclist who made us fall in love with cycling, who made us sense the truth of this sport: love, happiness and tragedy." Carlos Arribas

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the creators of the original C2C, this is a new cycle route through the Southern Uplands of Scotland, from coast to coast.Linking Annan on the Solway Firth and South Queensferry on the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh, the Scottish C2C is a 122 mile signed cycle route. It is a mix of country lanes, high quality cycle paths and seaside promenades with two challenging climbs, over the classic Devils Beef Tub and through the Moorfoot Hills before opening out onto a panoramic view of the Lothians, Edinburgh Castle, and the Firth of Forth. It finishes under the mighty Forth Bridge.This is the complete guide, including maps, directions, attractions along the way, accommodation and much more.

Read more less

Book SynopsisExplore the best of Britain by bike with this unique cycling guide. In this boxed collection of 50 pocket-size cards you’ll find a happy mix of specially-devised cycling routes around Britain’s beautiful towns and glorious countryside. The routes range from half a day to three days and are aimed at recreational as well as seasoned cyclists. * Inspirational bike rides - handy, pocket size cards that brim with photos and artwork that bring the tour to life. * Box includes transparent sleeve - if it rains you can pop the card into the sleeve to protect it from the elements. * Routes for everyone – there are plenty of half day routes all the way up to 3 day routes and all the routes are linked with charming places to stay. * All the planning is done for you - each card has a map, route instructions, points of interest and essential information including train connections. Pocket a card, leave the box on your bookshelf and enjoy a glorious adventure on your bike.

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Hampshire and the Isle of Wight" is one of 10 titles in the updated "Cycle Tours" series. The series has now been in continuous print for more than 15 years and with regular route revisions and updating the successful formula has gathered a large following. Each book in the series contains 20 routes all of which are either totally new or have been re-ridden and updated. There are 15 lane rides of between 23 and 37 miles taking you along low-traffic or traffic free roads, tracks and paths. These visit the beautiful villages and rolling countryside of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight with suggested short cuts for shorter rides, and suggested links to other nearby rides for a full day out. The 5 off-road rides of between 10 and 20 miles explore the Hampshire Downs, the New Forest, the Isle of Wight and the South Downs. A unique feature of the "Cycle Tours" series is the superb Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger mapping showing the routes of the rides. The mapping not only gives the detail and clarity you need to follow the route with ease and safety, but allows you to plan short-cuts and detours, to look out for new places of interest, and to become truly involved in the landscape you are cycling through. Clear directions are given alongside the mapping and elevation profiles make planning the pacing of each ride an easy task. Extra information includes an introduction to the area of the route, nearest railway stations, places of interest with descriptions, guides to refreshment stops, and clear indications of distance, grade and terrain. The books are practically designed with a spiral-binding to make route-following as simple as possible.

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Kent and East Sussex" is one of 10 titles in the updated "Cycle Tours" series. The series has now been in continuous print for more than 15 years and with regular route revisions and updating the successful formula has gathered a large following. Each book in the series contains 20 routes all of which are either totally new or have been re-ridden and updated. There are 15 lane rides of between 26 and 36 miles taking you along low-traffic or traffic free roads, tracks and paths. These visit the towns and villages of Kent's Garden of England, the Sussex Weald and Romney Marsh with suggested short cuts for shorter rides, and suggested links to other nearby rides for a full day out. The 5 off-road rides of between 11 and 17 miles explore the North and South Downs. A unique feature of the "Cycle Tours" series is the superb Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger mapping showing the routes of the rides. The mapping not only gives the detail and clarity you need to follow the route with ease and safety, but allows you to plan short-cuts and detours, to look out for new places of interest, and to become truly involved in the landscape you are cycling through. Clear directions are given alongside the mapping and elevation profiles make planning the pacing of each ride an easy task. Extra information includes an introduction to the area of the route, nearest railway stations, places of interest with descriptions, guides to refreshment stops, and clear indications of distance, grade and terrain. The books are practically designed with a spiral-binding to make route-following as simple as possible.

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Surrey and West Sussex" is one of 10 titles in the updated "Cycle Tours" series. The series has now been in continuous print for more than 15 years and with regular route revisions and updating the successful formula has gathered a large following. Each book in the series contains 20 routes all of which are either totally new or have been re-ridden and updated. There are 15 lane rides of between 23 and 36 miles taking you along low-traffic or traffic free roads, tracks and paths. These visit the handsome towns and pretty countryside of Surrey and West Sussex with suggested short cuts for shorter rides, and suggested links to other nearby rides for a full day out. The 5 off-road rides of between 11 and 16 miles explore the Hampshire Downs, the New Forest, the Isle of Wight and the South Downs. A unique feature of the "Cycle Tours" series is the superb Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger mapping showing the routes of the rides. The mapping not only gives the detail and clarity you need to follow the route with ease and safety, but allows you to plan short-cuts and detours, to look out for new places of interest, and to become truly involved in the landscape you are cycling through. Clear directions are given alongside the mapping and elevation profiles make planning the pacing of each ride an easy task. Extra information includes an introduction to the area of the route, nearest railway stations, places of interest with descriptions, guides to refreshment stops, and clear indications of distance, grade and terrain. The books are practically designed with a spiral-binding to make route-following as simple as possible.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis spiral-bound guide describes 20 wonderful bike rides in the countryside to the north and west of London. The area offers some excellent and varied cycling: from the challenges of the steep wooded escarpment of the Chilterns in the west to the gentle gradients on networks of quiet lanes in Hertfordshire and north Essex. The book contains 15 road rides (24-35 miles long) and five offroad rides on bridleways and byways (15-21 miles long). All of the rides are highlighted on Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 mapping, seen as the gold standard of mapping for cyclists. Junction-by-junction route instructions guide you from village to village through the region's beautiful rolling countryside. Each ride contains details of distance, grade of difficulty and refreshments along the way (with phone numbers of pubs and cafes so that you can check on opening hours). A height profile gives you warning of any hills to expect and schematic maps show how the ride can either be shortened or linked to adjacent rides for a longer day out. The Chilterns rise to over 800ft (245mts) at several points along the escarpment as it runs northeast from the River Thames at Goring towards Dunstable and Luton. Three of the five offroad rides use the fine stone-based tracks that weave their way through the area's famous beech woodlands which often form a great green tree cathedral overhead. Three of the road rides also explore the Chiltern woodlands, one from Princes Risborough and two around Tring. East of the Chilterns the rides make use of the network of quiet lanes that criss-cross this gently rolling, predominantly arable landscape. Small villages of thatched and half-timbered houses seem to vie with each other for the splendour of their village signs, often intricately carved and painted. The easiest ride in the book follows the Lee Navigation south from Hertford to Limehouse Basin in London: the towpath is one of the best in the whole country.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis22,000 Miles is the distance Richard Seipp has ridden with his 15-year-old son Tom over the past ten years. Starting out on their local trails in the Peak District when Tom was 5, they soon progressed to longer rides. As Tom grew, so did his ambitions - the Coast-to-Coast, the Strathpuffer 24-hour solo mountain bike race, multi-day bikepacking in the Scottish Highlands. Having ridden the 1955 route of the Tour de France during the summer holidays when Tom was 12, they continued to push their limits - Everesting the infamous Kemmelberg cobbles in Belgium and then heading to North America to ride the 2,745-mile Tour Divide, which runs the length of the North American Continental Divide along the spine of the Rocky Mountains from Banff in Canada south to the Mexican border at Antelope Wells. This book is their story in Rich's words alongside his atmospheric photographs of his and Tom's adventures. 22,000 Miles is the story of a father and son bonding over their combined love of adventure.Table of ContentsForeword 1. Adult Portions 2. Festive 500 3. Coast to Coast 4. Strathpuffer 5. Highland Trail 6. An Imperial Century 7. Devils and Angels 8. Steak Bleu 9. The Long One 10. Joining the Dots 11. Rest or Race 12. Everesting 13. High Rouleurs 14. No Surrender Finale

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book tells the story of the cyclists who were overcome by the need to venture forth on two wheels; the courageous men and women who undertook some of the most epic bicycle journeys of all time. While many of Australias bicycle pioneers rode to beat records or be the first, others rode for no other reason than to immerse themselves in the wild. Fortunately for us these bicycle pioneers wanted to share their experience with stories filled with unbridled wonder, drama and derring-do. The journeys retold in this book are a thrilling reminder of a period of exploration largely forgotten in the age of the motorcar. Journeys such as Arthur Richardson, the first to cycle across the Nullarbor Plain in 1896 and then 13,100 kilometres around Australia in 1889-90, and a swag of riders from the 1890s to today; from the likes of the pioneering Sarah Maddock, Joe Murif, Joe Pearson and Eddie Ted Reichenbach, to Sir Hubert Opperman, Shirley Duncan, Wendy Law and Ernie Old, and then to more contemporary adventurers like Kate Leeming, Sam Johnson, Tom Richards and Tegan Streeter.Trade Review"To cross Australia on a bicycle, piercing the very heart of the continent, facing dangers, someknown and more unknown -- it was the very thing." -- Jerome Murif, Australian cyclist, 1897

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less