Cycling: general and touring Books

Book SynopsisLonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Discover 200 of the best places to ride a bike in this beautifully illustrated paperback. From family-friendly, sightseeing urban rides to epic adventures off the beaten track. Destinations range from France and Italy, for the world's great bike races, to the wilds of Mongolia and Patagonia. These journeys will inspire - whether you are an experienced cyclist or just getting started. The book is organised by continent. In the Americas we join a family bikepacking trip in Ecuador; we pedal the Natchez Trace Parkway and stop at legendary music spots; we ride the Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon and California; go mountain biking in Moab and Canada; and explore the cities of Buenos Aires and New York by bicycle. European rides include easy-going trips around Lake Constance, along the Danube and the Loire, and coast-to-coast routes; routes in Tuscany, Spain and Corsica; and professional journeys up Mt Ventoux and around the Tour of Flanders. In Asia, we venture through Vietnam's valleys; complete the Mae Hong Son circuit in northern Thailand; cross the Indian Himalayas; and pedal through Bhutan. And in Australia and New Zealand we take in Tasmania and Queensland by mountain bike; cycle into Victoria's high country and around Adelaide on road bikes; and try some of New Zealand's celebrated cycle trails. Each ride is illustrated with stunning photography and a map. A toolkit of practical details - where to start and finish, how to get there, where to stay and more - helps riders plan their own trips. There are also suggestions for three more similar rides around the world for each story. Each piece shows how cycling is a fantastic way to get to know a place, a people and their culture. About Lonely Planet: Started in 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel guide publisher with guidebooks to every destination on the planet, gift and lifestyle books and stationery, as well as an award-winning website, magazines, a suite of mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet's mission is to enable curious travellers to experience the world and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves in.'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia)

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Book Synopsis‘I rode back down the hill to the athlete’s village. Some of Team Scotland had been watching on the big screen and I arrived to hugs of congratulations. I went inside for a shower and ceremoniously dropped my heart rate monitor into the bin. It was the first day of the rest of my life.’ A little before 1.30 p.m. on Sunday 21 July 2013, Lee Craigie crossed the finish line at Cathkin Braes in the southern outskirts of Glasgow several minutes ahead of her nearest competitor to become the British cross-country mountain bike champion. Lee’s win was the culmination of seven years of training and sacrifice, but it marked the beginning of the end of her competitive career; less than a year later, at the same venue, this time representing her native Scotland at the Commonwealth Games, she crossed the line and quit professional bike racing for good. Lee Craigie is one of Scotland’s great bike racers, yet she has accomplished much more since retiring. In Other Ways to Win she tells her story of growing up near Glasgow and discovering the freedom of cycling – skipping French lessons and heading off into the Campsie Fells to see just how far she could ride. These teenage adventures established cycling as the thread which would run through her life – not only through her racing life and into a new life of two-wheeled adventure, but also through the positive impact she would have on the lives of others, particularly encouraging other women through her work with the Adventure Syndicate. Written with breathtaking honesty, she recounts epic adventures along the Tour Divide, Silk Road and the Highland Trail 550, and examines themes of friendship, loss, identity and the power of the outdoors – and, of course, cycling. Lee Craigie’s story is a welcome reminder that there is more than one way to win at cycling – and life.

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Book SynopsisExplore Europe’s most thrilling cycling routes with the latest installment in the Epic series from Lonely Planet. From dreamy getaways on sun-dappled Mediterranean Islands to challenging alpine crossings, bike enthusiasts share stories from the best road, mountain, dirt and trail routes across the spiritual home of cycling.Destinations suit a range of trip types and abilities, and each ride features stunning photographs, a richly-illustrated map and a toolkit of practical details so that riders can help plan their own trips. From some of the remotest corners of northern Scotland to mighty mountain passes in the pristine Pyrenees, you’ll explore some of the continent’s least-explored regions, as well as cities including Berlin and Copenhagen amongst many others. Rides feature adventurous bikepacking routes, classic race routes, must-do mountain biking trails, and family-friendly forays.Guest contributors include author Rob Penn, who cycled around the world in his late twenties, and Ned Boulting, a British sports journalist and television presenter who has reported on everything from the Tour de France to the Vuelta a Espana. So turn those pedals and enjoy the ride to over 50 cycle-loving destinations.About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world’s number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we’ve printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You’ll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, eBooks, and more.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the freedom of the open road with Lonely Planet's Best Rides Japan. Get to Japan, hop on a bike, and hit the road!

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Book SynopsisJack Thurston, best-selling author of Lost Lanes series and presenter of the internationally acclaimed Bike Show, takes you on a freewheeling tour of the lost lanes and forgotten byways of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. Enjoy 36 of the best rural rides in the region: Ride on traffic free lanes from the seashore into the heart of the west country. Stunning photography, downloadable GPX, handmade maps. Discover car-free routes through the grand estates of Longleat, Stourhead, Lanhydrock and Ashton Court. Escape to ancient trackways of Wessex's chalk downs, passing the prehistoric remains of Avebury, Silbury Hill and Stonehenge. Ride traffic free paths along the River Dart, River Camel and River Exe stopping for river swims and picnics in sun-dappled woodlands. Climb to the windswept heights of Dartmoor and Exmoor and descend beneath the towering crags of Cheddar Gorge.

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Book Synopsis''Byrne comes across like a post-punk Michael Palin.'' Sephen Dalton, The Times''An engaging book; part-diary, part-manifesto.'' ObserverDavid Byrne, co-founder of the group Talking Heads, has been riding a bicycle as his principal means of transportation since the 1980''s. When he tours, Byrne travels with a folding bicycle, bringing it to cities like London, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Istanbul, Manila, New York, Detroit and San Francisco. The view from his bike seat has given Byrne a panoramic window on urban life all over the world. An enchanting celebration of bike riding and of the rewards of seeing the world at bike level, this book gives the reader an incredible insight into what Byrne is seeing and thinking as he pedals around these cities.

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Book Synopsis‘A magisterial diary for bird lovers.’ Observer WINNER – BOOK OF THE YEAR - East Anglian Book Awards 2023 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Telegraph As seen on BBC Winterwatch 2023 ‘Honest, human and heart-grabbing. I loved this book so much.’ Sophie Pavelle, author of Forget Me Not ‘Delightful’ Stephen Moss, author of Ten Birds that Changed the World ‘Fascinating and thought-provoking’ Jake Fiennes, author of Land Healer ‘Awe-filled and absorbing’ Nicola Chester, author of On Gallows Down The Meaning of Geese is a book of thrilling encounters with wildlife, of tired legs, punctured tyres and inhospitable weather. Above all, it is the story of Nick Acheson’s love for the land in which he was born and raised, and for the wild geese that fill it with sound and spectacle every winter. Renowned naturalist and conservationist Nick Acheson spent countless hours observing and researching wild geese, transported through all weathers by his mother’s 40-year-old trusty red bicycle. He meticulously details the geese’s arrival, observing what they mean to his beloved Norfolk and the role they play in local people’s lives – and what role the birds could play in our changing world. During a time when many people faced the prospect of little work or human contact, Nick followed the pinkfeet and brent geese that filled the Norfolk skies and landscape as they flew in from Iceland and Siberia. In their flocks, Nick encountered rarer geese, including Russian white-fronts, barnacle geese and an extremely unusual grey-bellied brant, a bird he had dreamt of seeing since thumbing his mother’s copy of Peter Scott’s field guide as a child. To honour the geese’s great athletic migrations, Nick kept a diary of his sightings as well as the stories he discovered through the community of people, past and present, who loved them, too. Over seven months Nick cycles over 1,200 miles – the exact length of the pinkfeet’s migration to Iceland.Trade Review‘[B]eautiful in its detail of the pink-foot, brent and snow geese… The Meaning of Geese is mournful and magisterial.’ Observer‘Goose-nerd Nick Acheson opens his wildlife diary to us, sharing the highs and lows of a unique winter spent in nature’s embrace on the windswept North Norfolk coast. The Meaning of Geese is an intimate study of the intriguing lives of these under-appreciated birds, as well as a window into the inner workings of a naturalist’s obsession.’ Lee Schofield, author of Wild Fell‘Combining old-school charm with 2020s urgency, Nick’s book, like its subject, is simultaneously earthing and elevating, evoking the bittersweet ache of belonging to a place that is changing but still and always home. The writing is measured, erudite, unfailingly generous but with an underlying emotional vibrancy that cuts through like an icy wind or the sudden dazzle of winter sun.’ Amy-Jane Beer, author of The Flow‘A fascinating and thought-provoking record of an individual and his passion for geese, among other birds. Beautifully descriptive but also detailed in the history of winged visitors to the North Norfolk coast, Nick communicates pure passion and unconditional love for a landscape that is his home. A book about geese, people, their observations and a landscape steeped in natural history.’ Jake Fiennes, author of Land Healer‘What Nick has achieved with The Meaning of Geese is not just a timely, poignant meditation on his relationship with these birds and his home, but through powerful, lyrical prose, he seems to happen upon unlocking the meaning of life itself: a passionate, purposeful existence which is entirely bound to and entwined with the natural world. Relaxing yet rousing. Honest, human and heart-grabbing. I loved this book so much.’ Sophie Pavelle, author of Forget Me Not‘This book is an absolute treasure. Nick’s attention to detail is astonishing, but he also writes with humour, humility and grace, seamlessly blending a lifetime of knowledge, insight and passion – not only for his beloved geese but for the entire natural world. I will never again look at geese without pondering their “meaning”.’ Brigit Strawbridge Howard, author of Dancing with Bees ‘The Meaning of Geese shows us it is possible and necessary to know ourselves and our wild world through a deep intimacy with just one place under the sky – and the simple reach of a mother’s happy red-darter-coloured bicycle. In an awe-filled and absorbing portrait, wild geese bring the world and its mysteries to us and our shared landscape. The warmth, humility, friendship and deep knowledge that exude from this book are infectious and necessary. It is a lyrical love letter to North Norfolk, its skies, people and the gleaming, binding, gossamer threads its geese trail across the globe and back. The Meaning of Geese shows us how we too can be explorers and pioneers of a deeper knowledge, from the seat of an old red bicycle.’ Nicola Chester, author of On Gallows Down‘A delightful account of a low-tech (and low-carbon) quest to follow, watch and understand one of Britain’s greatest bird spectacles: the huge flocks of pink-footed geese that visit our shores from the far north each autumn and winter.’ Stephen Moss, author of Ten Birds that Changed the World‘Nick Acheson lives his life as he writes his books – full of clarity and passion. Only a man hefted so deeply to a landscape could bring the detail of wildlife to the page in such brightness. So much so that you feel you are riding on his handlebars as he toils up Norfolk’s hills on his old bike in search of his beloved geese or shivering at his side as an easterly wind buffets the flocks that fuss and shout all around. Migrant geese bring with them the spectacle of the sunlit months of northern reaches, places like Iceland, Siberia, even Canada. As the days shorten, they are guided by the stars to whiffle and glide onto the mud of the North Norfolk coast, bringing in their wake a yearning evoked by meeting travellers who have seen what we never will. But for Nick, the geese are far more than natural wonders, they are the embodiment of a rich human history, the stuff of folktales, the creatures that bind nature-loving friends together, a consolation in the dark months, and they are feathered portents of a changing planet. The Meaning of Geese is exactly the right title. The details of Norfolk’s wildlife, large and small, fall out of the page. As I read this book while winter nudges away the last warm days of the year, I am fired by a love for a world that still has geese sailing through the night to land amongst us and am grateful to those who wait for them to arrive and watch them with wonder.’ Mary Colwell, author of Curlew Moon‘In The Meaning of Geese, Nick invites you into the realm of gaggles, honks and cackles. His gentle, warm love for all things goose shines from every page. In winter walks gone by, I might have overlooked a field full of these feathered beings, but Nick’s ability to shine a spotlight of adoration, wonder and curiosity onto something right under your nose is quite wonderful. Growing up in Lancashire, a sky brimming with honking pink-footed geese is a visceral childhood memory, and I feel like Nick’s goose winter has reconnected me with those feelings of awe and joy.’ Lucy Hodson, BBC Springwatch, naturalist and wildlife communicator'Poetic, wry, beautifully observed and possessing a wonderful sense of place, this is note-perfect nature writing.' Patrick Barkham, author of The Butterfly Isles ‘A poignant and intimate study of the lives of geese.’ BirdGuides

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Book SynopsisThere's little that can beat the perfect simplicity of a bike ride. There are many reasons why cycling has such enduring appeal. For some, it is the relaxation and freedom that biking offers – what could be better than pedalling away and leaving our troubles behind? For others, cycling is the perfect means of building strength and fitness. Indeed, it can be one of the most challenging sports on the planet – from amateurs testing themselves to the limit to professionals competing in some of the toughest races in the world.Packed full of wise, witty and inspirational quotes, The Little Book of Cycling is the perfect gift for cyclists of all levels. From the simple exhilaration of freewheeling downhill to the arduous challenges faced by the endurance cyclist, this is the ultimate ode to the love of two wheels.'Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize fishing is stupid and boring.' Desmond Tutu'I don't ride a bike to add days to my life. I ride a bike to add life to my days.' UnknownTable of ContentsOn Your Bike: Amusing anecdotes • Lean and Green: The science and the benefits • Changing Gear: It's not all about lycra • Town & Country: Beating the traffic, discovering the world • Pedal Power: The pain of winning • Saddle Up: Memorable quotes from famous cyclists.

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Book Synopsis*SHORTLISTED FOR THE STANFORD DOLMAN TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD*The Rhine is one of the world''s greatest rivers. Once forming the outer frontier of the Roman Empire, it flows 800 miles from the social democratic playground of the Netherlands, through the industrial and political powerhouses of Germany and France, to the wealthy mountain fortresses of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. For five years, Ben Coates lived alongside a major channel of the river in Rotterdam, crossing it daily, swimming and sailing in its tributaries. In The Rhine, he sets out by bicycle from the Netherlands where it enters the North Sea, following it through Germany, France and Liechtenstein, to its source in the icy Alps. He explores the impact that the Rhine has had on European culture and history and finds out how influences have flowed along and across the river, shaping the people who live alongside it. Blending travelogue and offbeat history, The Rhine teTrade ReviewAmong the finest multi-destination books is The Rhine . . . Coates's itchy feet paddle him steadily (after a disaster in a rowing boat) on two wheels from Holland (sleeping in dunes), past Utrecht to the German border (Arnhem redolent of war in A Bridge Too Far) to sleepier Bonn. History shimmers across his hinterland, contested in two world wars, and his curiosity - Coates's great strength - unearths the ways in which the river shaped the destinies of those who made its ever changing banks their home. * Scotsman - Books of the Year *A captivating mixture of travel and history. * Compass *A piece of nonfiction that's both a travelogue and historic account of how the river shaped Europe. * Smithsonian magazine - Books of the Year *Ben Coates discovers how the Rhine influenced history. * Daily Express *He conveys well the role of the Rhine in European culture and history: how it has been seen at different times as a "free-flowing conduit for goods, people and ideas" and as a battleground and frontier. * Daily Telegraph *We might question the Rhine being considered 'Europe's greatest river'. But Ben Coates makes a persuasive and entertaining argument for the accolade . . . My eagerness to devour each chapter was dependent less on the overall theme of the book, but almost entirely on Coates' engaging writing style and the playful way he reveals the history of this part of Europe. * Geographical *What a wonderful surprise. Amazingly talented, Ben Coates fluently uses his metaphoric skills to paint a vibrant portrait of this river's influence in weaving the tapestry of European life. [A] fascinating and compelling story. * Seattle Book Review *He conveys well the role of the Rhine in European culture and history: how it has been seen at different times as a "free-flowing conduit for goods, people and ideas" and as a battleground and frontier. * The Telegraph *The Ten Best Books About Travel of 2018A piece of nonfiction that's both a travelogue and historic account of how the river shaped Europe. * Smithsonian Mag *we might question the Rhine being considered 'Europe's greatest river'. But Ben Coates makes a persuasive and entertaining argument for the accolade...My eagerness to devour each chapter was dependent less on the overall theme of the book, but almost entirely on Coates' engaging writing style and the playful way he reveals the history of this part of Europe. -- Chris Fitch * Geographical *Also among the finest multi-destination books is The Rhine... his curiosity - Coates's great strength - unearths the ways in which the river shaped the destinies of those who made its ever changing banks their home. * The Scotsman *The history is fascinating but it's the author's anecdotes and turns of phrase that keep you entertained as he progresses by bike, boat and (briefly) on the back of a cow. * Cycle Magazine *

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Book SynopsisBikepacking Scotland by Markus Stitz features 20 great multi-day off-the-beaten-track cycling adventures across the Scottish mainland and islands. The book features routes of different lengths which take in the best of the country, from the Ayrshire Alps, Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders in southern Scotland, through Perthshire’s unique drovers’ roads and the grand architecture of the Central Belt, across to Argyll’s islands on ferry-hopping adventures around Islay, a paradise for whisky connoisseurs, and Jura and Mull to spot magnificent golden eagles. And, of course, the Scottish Highlands with an epic tour of the Cairngorms National Park, home to 25 per cent of Britain's rare and endangered species, as well as the author’s own take on the North Coast 500 and more. Researched and written by the founder of Bikepacking Scotland, and mostly accessible by public transport, each route includes all the information you need to help you plan your ride, with points of interest along the route, food recommendations and accommodation options, in addition to stunning photography and overview mapping. Downloadable GPX files of the routes are also available. Alongside further information on access, seasons and what to pack, and valuable insight from Scottish cycling personalities including Mark Beaumont and Jenny Graham, this book is full of practical tips and advice for both experienced bikepackers and those who want to try it out for the first time.Table of ContentsIntroduction Scotland’s South (Ayrshire, Borders, Dumfries and Galloway) 1 Ayrshire Alps, Coast & Castles 2 Borders to Coast 3 Borders Three Abbeys Loop Central Belt (East Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk) 4 Go East Lothian Trail 5 Capital Trail 6 From Forth to Fife 7 Discovering Perthshire's Heritage 8 Explore Your Boundaries Clackmannanshire 9 Falkirk Adventure Route 10 The John Muir Way Argyll and the Isles 11 Dunoon Dirt Dash 12 Wild About Argyll Trail 13 Bikepacking Argyll's Islands 14 Around Loch Awe Central Highlands 15 Highland Perthshire Drovers Trail 16 The Cateran Gran Fondo 17 Cairngorms National Park Loop 18 From Coast to Barrell 19 A Scottish Hostelling Adventure North of Scotland 20 Alternative North Coast 500

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Book SynopsisExplore 35 of the most notorious, gruelling cycling climbs the world has to offer, guided by the experts at Cyclist, the world's biggest road cycling magazine.Route maps, altitude charts, first-hand ride reports and incredible imagery from the finest cycling photographers combine in this tribute to the peaks, hills and ascents that every cyclist should try.Tracing the routes of the greatest rides across France, Italy, Spain and Belgium, this beautiful book also includes lesser-known climbs covering northern and eastern Europe and the USA - with every single ride tried, tested and conquered by the experts at Cyclist magazine.Climbs include:Monte Grappa, ItalyZoncolan, ItalyPasso dello Stelvio, ItalyAlto de l'Angliru, SpainSa Calobra, SpainKoppenberg, BelgiumAlpe d'Huez, FranceCol Agnel, FranceCroix de Fer, FranceThe Trollstigen, NowayMauna Kea, USA

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Book SynopsisThe charming and joyful follow-up book from the nation's taster in chief,' Felicity Cloake.If there's one thing that truly unites Britain, from Aberdeen to Aberystwyth, St Ives to St Pancras, it's an obsession with breakfast.We all have an opinion on the merits of brown sauce versus ketchup on our morning bacon sarnie. In this eagerly awaited follow-up to One More Croissant for the Road, the nation's favourite taster-in-chief Felicity Cloake sets off on a cycle trip of condimental proportions to investigate and celebrate the legendary Great British Breakfast. Travelling the length and breadth of the UK to establish once and for all what makes a perfect fry-up, she rates them on criteria from the crispness of the bacon to how long they keep her pedalling. But a woman cannot live by All Day Breakfast alone, so as well as recipes for the Savoy''s Omelette Arnold Bennett and proper Scottish porridge, she lavishes her attention on the regional specialities she encounters along the way, fromTrade Review‘As a greedy woman who loves cycling around the country in search of double and even triple breakfasts, I was delighted by this book about a greedy woman, cycling around the countryside, looking for several square meals a day. In an era when too many fully grown adults munch through instant microwave oats, overpackaged biscuits or simply skip eating altogether, Cloake is making the case for a cooked, regional, calorie-packed kick off, both as a treat for your senses and as a way of supporting smaller, traditional food producers…funny, enlightening and evocative.’ Nell Frizzell, The Guardian ‘A bible for breakfast lovers.’ The Scotsman Praise for ‘One More Croissant for the Road’ ‘Joyful, life-affirming, greedy. I loved it.’ Diana Henry ‘Wonderfully written.’ Anna Jones ‘Felicity Cloake’s Tour de France is a triumph. It is full of greed and wit, jam packed with priceless practical information, and peppered with a sense of adventure and wonder. I love it.’ Yotam Ottolenghi ‘From start to finish, this book is a joy: the perfect antidote to a world of diets and bad news.’ Bee Wilson

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**THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**'As a chronicle of an extraordinary friendship between man and animal, and its unexpected consequences, it's entirely delightful' DAILY MAIL'This uplifting retelling of their adventures together proves a welcome tonic' THE SUN'Heartwarming and utterly charming' GUARDIAN'A heart-warming and captivating travelogue' THE i'A gorgeous book about their adventures, complete with photos that will melt your heart' Lorraine Kelly, ITV***Instagram phenomenon @1bike1world Dean Nicholson reveals the full story of his life-changing friendship with rescue cat Nala and their inspiring adventures together on a bike journey around the world.When 30-year-old Dean Nicholson set off from Scotland to cycle around the world, his aim was to learn as much as he could about our troubled planet. But he hadn't bargained on the lessons he'd learn from his unlikely companion.Three months after leaving home, on a remote road in the mountains between Montenegro and Bosnia, he came across an abandoned kitten. Something about the piercing eyes and plaintive meowing of the bedraggled little cat proved irresistible. He couldn't leave her to her fate, so he put her on his bike and then, with the help of local vets, nursed her back to health.Soon on his travels with the cat he named Nala, they forged an unbreakable bond - both curious, independent, resilient and adventurous. The video of how they met has had 20 million views and their Instagram has grown to almost 750k followers - and still counting!Experiencing the kindness of strangers, visiting refugee camps, rescuing animals through Europe and Asia, Dean and Nala have already learned that the unexpected can be pretty amazing. Together with Garry Jenkins, writer with James Bowen of the bestselling A Street Cat Named Bob, Dean shares the extraordinary tale of his and Nala's inspiring and heart-warming adventure together.

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Book SynopsisThis guidebook describes a 528-mile cycling route in northern Scotland. Starting and finishing in the highland capital Inverness, the circular route passes through the ancient counties and districts of Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross and the Black Isle and is suitable for all types of bike: the going is entirely on asphalt-surfaced roads, though many are quiet with little traffic. The circuit can be comfortably completed in a fortnight. Featuring clear and concise route description, together with 1:150,000 mapping, gradient profiles, suggested schedules and invaluable practical information - including complete lists of all hostel/bunkhouse accommodation, official campsites and services for cyclists and advice on other accommodation and refreshment opportunities, this guidebook provides all the information needed to plan and execute a terrific cycle tour. Alternative routes are provided in case you should wish to avoid the steep ascent of Bealach na Bà or the undulating Assynt peninsula, or to include the busier A9 east coast road. The route boasts stunning scenery and rich historical interest and cyclists will be treated to mile upon mile of unspoilt wilderness. The journey takes in varied landscapes of craggy mountains, verdant glens, rolling peat moorland dotted with lochs and wild rugged coastlines - and if the scenery isn't enough, there are many distilleries and micro-breweries on or near the route guaranteed to entice. With notes on history, geology, wildlife and local points of interest, the guide offers a perfect way to get to know Scotland's captivating far north.Table of ContentsMap key Overview map Route summary table Suggested schedules Introduction Background The route Natural environment Preparation Getting there and back Navigation and information Accommodation Food and drink Amenities and services What to take Safety and emergencies About this guide The route Stage 1 Inverness to Garve Stage 2 Garve to Lochcarron Stage 3 Lochcarron to Shieldaig (direct route) Stage 3A Lochcarron to Shieldaig (via Applecross) Stage 4 Shieldaig to Gairloch Stage 5 Gairloch to Ullapool Stage 6 Ullapool to Lochinver Stage 7 Lochinver to Kylesku Stage 8 Kylesku to Durness Stage 9 Durness to Tongue Stage 10 Tongue to Melvich Stage 11 Melvich to John o' Groats (coastal route) Stage 12 John o' Groats to Melvich (inland route) Stage 13 Melvich to Altnaharra Stage 14 Altnaharra to Tain Stage 12A John o' Groats to Lybster Stage 13A Lybster to Brora Stage 14A Brora to Tain Stage 15 Tain to Nigg (for Cromarty ferry) Stage 16 Cromarty to Inverness Stage 15A Tain to Dingwall Stage 16A Dingwall to Inverness Appendix A Facilities summary table Appendix B Tourist information Appendix C Hostels and bunkhouses Appendix D Campsites Appendix E Cycle shops and cycle hire Appendix F Munros near route (mountains over 914m) Appendix G Distilleries en route Appendix H Useful contacts

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Book SynopsisThis guidebook describes a 240km cycle ride along the length of the Canal du Midi in southern France. Starting at Toulouse in the Haute Garonne and finishing at Sète on the Mediterranean Coast, the route is divided into five stages of about 50km. It is a flat, car-free and picturesque route mainly on the towpath, and is suitable for all abilities. The guide is written for those who want to explore the canal and visit attractions along the way. There are lots of optional detours to sites of interest near the canal, as well as six longer excursions including fortified Carcassone, Roman Narbonne, Vendres lagoon and the Portiragnes marshes. Detailed route descriptions are crammed with additional information about points of interest passed, and 1:200,000 scale maps clearly show the route for each stage of the way. Begun in 1666 the Canal du Midi is one of the world's most picturesque waterways and a World Heritage Site. This is 'La France Profonde', a region rich in history and culture, as seen in the grand homes and chateaux that grace the water's edge, and the fascinating Cathar strongholds of Carcassone, Lastours and Minerve.Table of ContentsMap key Overview map INTRODUCTION Regions of the canal History Wildlife Culture Cycling the Canal du Midi When to go Getting there and getting around Accommodation Food and drink Your bike What to take Cycling the towpath Health and safety Weather Maps Money and communications Using this guide THE CANAL DU MIDI Stage 1 Toulouse to Port Lauragais Stage 2 Port Lauragais to Carcassone Excursion 1 From Criminelle lock to St-Ferr#xe9;ol reservoir Stage 3 Carcassone to Homps Excursion 2 From Tr#xe8;bes to Lastours Excursion 3 From Homps to Minerve Stage 4 Homps to B#xe9;ziers Excursion 4 To Narbonne and Port la Nouvelle Stage 5 B#xe9;ziers to S#xe8;te Excursion 5 To Vendres salt lagoon Excursion 6 Across Portiragnes marshes to S#xe9;rignan Appendix A Stage planning tables Appendix B Accommodation Appendix C Useful information Appendix D English-French glossary Appendix E Further reading

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Book SynopsisGravel Rides Scotland by Ed Shoote contains 28 routes, ranging from 31 to 128 kilometres in length, exploring the very best gravel riding that Scotland has to offer.Gravel riding is the fastest-growing cycling discipline – this book showcases the finest routes in Scotland, its natural home. The routes are clustered within seven outstanding gravel destinations – the Scottish Borders; Dumfries and Galloway; Argyll and Bute; Highland Perthshire and the Trossachs; the Cairngorms (split into Deeside and Aviemore); and North West Scotland. Each section makes the perfect base for a short break, or combine some of the routes together on a bikepacking trip. Classic gravel routes such as ‘Gravelfoyle’ and the Big Country Loop in Galloway are listed alongside hidden gems including Loch Eck and the Lammermuir herring roads.Each route includes all the information you need to help you plan your ride, interesting background information about the local area, types of terrain covered and refreshment recommendations in addition to detailed directions, stunning photography and overview mapping. Downloadable GPX files of the routes are also available.This book is full of practical tips and advice on all aspects of gravel riding, including the bike itself, essential kit to carry when out on a ride, as well as a brief history of gravel riding in Scotland.Enjoy Gravel Rides Scotland and the adventures it will open up. Ride faster, ride further and ride gravel.Table of ContentsIntroduction Acknowledgements Gravel riding Gravel bikes How to use this book The weather and seasons Safety and responsibility Recommended kit list Bikepacking A brief history of gravel in Scotland Reading the Gaelic landscape Section 1: Scottish Borders 01 Newcastleton to Kielder cross-border ride 02 Hawick castles and railways loop 03 Selkirk, Three Brethren and the Bowhill Estate 04 Four forests and a wind farm in the Tweed Valley 05 The herring roads of the Lammermuirs Section 2: Dumfries and Galloway 06 Gatehouse of Fleet 07 Galloway Forest Park Big Country Route 08 Daer Reservoir and Durisdeer Section 3: Argyll and Bute 09 Loch Eck and Loch Long 10 The Dukes Path, Lochgoilhead and the Arrochar Alps 11 Crinan, Loch Sween and Faery Isles views 12 An Suidhe Wind Farm and Eredine Forest Section 4: Highland Perthshire and the Trossachs 13 Aberfoyle aka Gravelfoyle – north and south loops 14 Callander and Loch Tay monster loop 15 Dunkeld and the Tay Forest Park Section 5: Cairngorms – Deeside 16 Linn of Dee, Glen Lui and Linn of Quoich 17 Ballater, Balmoral and Loch Muick 18 Invercauld and the River Gairn 19 Corgarff Castle and a military road Section 6: Cairngorms – Aviemore 20 Dalwhinnie, Loch Ericht and Laggan 21 Glen Feshie and Loch an Eilein 22 Loch Morlich, Glenmore and Abernethy Forest Section 7: North West Scotland 23 Morvern peninsula 24 Loch Shiel, Glenfinnan and Loch Linnhe 25 Fort Augustus and Loch Ness 26 Glen Affric 27 Isle of Rùm 28 Beauly to Ardgay

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Book Synopsis**SHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2023**''Full of delightful anecdotes and interviews and fascinating historical tales'' Mail on SundayA panoramic portrait of the wonderous vehicle whose passenger is also its engine.A toy, a tool, a liberator, or complete nuisance: the bicycle has been many things to many people over the decades, yet it endures as the most popular form of transport in the world. How has such a simple machine achieved so much?Combining history, travelogue and memoir, Jody Rosen reshapes our understanding of this ubiquitous vehicle from its invention in 1817 to its present-day renaissance as a ''green machine''. Readers meet unforgettable characters: women''s suffragists who steered bikes to the barricades in the 1890s, a Bhutanese king who races mountain bikes in the Himalayas, astronauts who ride a floating bicycle in zero gravity.By examining the bicycle''s past and peering into its fuTrade ReviewWhen I fell in love with riding a bike in New York City last year, what I found myself craving was a history-of the bicycle... that whoever wrote this history would find a way to make it personal and ruminative... Lo and behold: Jody Rosen has written that very book. My wish has come true and a door's been blown open. I got more than I knew I wanted * New York TImes *Two Wheels Good is full of interesting moments...and is often written with real verve... his [Rosen's] enthusiasm for what is sometimes described as mankind's "noblest invention" is infectious * Times Literary Supplement *The engaging tone of Rosen's memoir-travelogue-history is the grim cheerfulness of the urban cyclist. He gives a vivid sense of the cinematic pleasures of cycling through a city. * Spectator *A jovial historical narrative ... Rosen rightly get us to expand our narrow Western image of the bicycle to a global perspective [and] is skilled yet selective in navigating the complex and rich history of the bicycle, taking us across continents and through centuries ... a thoroughly enjoyable, and sometimes surprising read * Cycle *The bicycle has been loved and loathed... Rosen's vibrant history explores it all * BBC History Magazine *Comprehensive . . . [Two Wheels Good] often feels like a leisurely ride, full of spontaneous detours into unexpected delight. But what makes the book essential is its rigorous reporting * The Atlantic *The best thing I've ever read on a single subject... With curiosity, conscientiousness, and an exquisitely light touch, [Joden] makes a convincing case that the story of the bike is the story of modern life -- Lauren Collins, author of When in FrenchWide-ranging and inquisitive, Two Wheels Good is like an entire library of books on the bicycle -- Lucy Sante, author of Low LifeTakes us on a ride-across the centuries and around the globe, through startling history and vivid first-person reporting-offering not just a wry, rich, deeply researched meditation on the bicycle and our relationship to it, but the headlong rush of cruising on two wheels into the unknown -- Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Empire of Pain and Say NothingThe stores are filled with books on little things that changed everything, but Jody Rosen's new book offers us a real little thing-the simple bicycle-that really did change everything, from the shape of our streets to the inner life of our imaginations... this is social history as it ought to be written: funny, precise, surprising, anti-dogmatic and unafraid of following a story, brakes off, to wherever the tale might want to glide -- Adam Gopnik, author of Paris to the MoonLove for two-wheeled transport runs through every sentence in the book... anyone who goes about mostly on two wheels, in defiance of the ever larger, ever more numerous powered vehicles on the road, will enjoy this entertaining ride. * Economist *[A] complex cultural history. . . . The strength of Two Wheels Good is the journalist's eye [Rosen] brings to a basic technology that has had radically disparate identities at different times and in different parts of the world * Curbed *A lively biography of a tool central to the greening of urban spaces. It's also a fascinating, sweeping everyday explainer, moving from the bike's 19th-century origins to its importance globally * Chicago Tribune *Full of delightful anecdotes and interviews, and fascinating historical tales, Two Wheels Good will expand your understanding of what a bicycle is and what it can do * Mail on Sunday *An enthralling overview of a quiet transport revolution * History Today *A terrific book... Rosen covers all the aspects of cycling you could imagine * Reader's Digest *Excellent * Cycling Weekly *

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Book SynopsisJack Thurston, best-selling author of the Lost Lanes series, takes you on a freewheeling tour of the hidden lanes and forgotten byways of the Midlands and beyond, from the windswept hills of Shropshire to the big skies of Lincolnshire, from the crags of the Peak District to the comely villages of the Cotswolds. Graded from easy to challenging, with listings of the best pubs and tea stops, wild swim spots, viewpoints and accommodation too. Accompanied by a dedicated website, downloadable GPX files, turn-by-turn route instructions and detailed maps. All rides are accessible by train and include Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire. > Enjoy the traffic-free trails of the Peak District, taking in dramatic landscapes, grand country houses and a wealth of industrial archaeology > Explore the Cotswolds on its quietest country lanes and hidden byways, stopping at cosy pubs and breathtaking sunset viewpoints > Follow in the tyre tracks of Edward Elgar to the summit of the Malvern Hills for some of the most splendid views of England > Discover secret Birmingham on its vast network of canal towpaths and traffic-free urban greenways > Ride high along the dramatic Shropshire Hills on the contours of Brown Clee Hill, the Wrekin, the Stiperstones and Wenlock Edge

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Book Synopsis'A thoughtful exploration of humanity ... Fabes is great company and makes riding bicycles seem like the best way to see and understand the world' - Guardian They say that being a good doctor boils down to just four things: Shut up, listen, know something, care. The same could be said for life on the road, too. When Stephen Fabes left his job as a junior doctor and set out to cycle around the world, frontline medicine quickly faded from his mind. Of more pressing concern were the daily challenges of life as an unfit rider on an overloaded bike, helplessly in thrall to pastries. But leaving medicine behind is not as easy as it seems. As he roves continents, he finds people whose health has suffered through exile, stigma or circumstance, and others, whose lives have been saved through kindness and community. After encountering a frozen body of a monk in the Himalayas, he is drawn ever more to healthcare at the margins of the world, to crumbling sanitoriums and refugee camps, to city dumps and war-torn hospital wards. And as he learns the value of listening to lives - not just solving diagnostic puzzles - Stephen challenges us to see care for the sick as a duty born of our humanity, and our compassion.Trade Reviewa thoughtful exploration of humanity ... Fabes is great company and makes riding bicycles seem like the best way to see and understand the world -- Guardiana poignant, funny memoir... Fabes is a winning storyteller * Star Tribune *The pages, and the turns, are a constant surprise and a wonder... Fabes writes beautifully, poetically, transportingly, about his journey * Life in the Fast Lane *an intrepid cyclist and doctor recounts an epic journey... A brisk, panoramic view of peoples and lands. * Kirkus Reviews *Witty and wild, intrepid and inspirational, the book chronicles two parallel journeys: Fabes' physical cycling tour of many countries and his look at health across the globe ... An entertaining and epic chronicle of a journey of extremes. * Booklist *Signs of Life is the kind of book we need right now. It is heart-warming. It is hopeful. It shows us that despite all the guns and guerrillas the world is also full of people who press presents and hospitality on travellers. It is also a very readable travelogue, a thoughtful one. * The BookBag *A dizzying, headlong, hilarious grand tour... deserves to become a classic. -- Gavin FrancisAn inspirational journey of humanity and humility. Fabes has redefined the medical memoir. -- Nathan FilerA clever and entertaining book, never veering too far from either the practicalities of bike-touring or Fabes's work as a medic and often using metaphors that connect the two * TLS *A charming, human story of resilience, adversity and compassion, all told with a good dose of dry British humour -- Lois Pryce author of * Revolutionary Ride *'I absolutely loved this book - a six-year, wheel-spinning, page-turning pedal around the world. Full of rich, vivid descriptions of people and landscapes, interwoven with wisdom, compassion, humanity and a playful Panglossian humour... he allows us to see how everything is connected. If Stephen is half as talented a doctor as he is a writer, then lucky patients I say. A worthy addition to the cycle-touring canon -- Mike Carter

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Book SynopsisBikepacking Wales by Emma Kingston contains 18 great multi-day mountain bike adventures. For such a compact country, Wales has a fantastic variety of trails to explore. Explore the world-class tracks around the remote Elan Valley, traverse the long, grassy ridges of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), enjoy the stunning coastal bridleways along the Gower peninsula, tackle the popular Trans Cambrian Way across Mid Wales, ride the heather-lined singletrack in the Clywdian Hills, and take a tour around the highest mountain in Wales and England – Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) – including an optional route to its summit. The trails aren’t the only draw though; these routes take you under towering castle walls, through huge slate quarries and past some of the country’s prehistoric monuments so you can better appreciate Wales’s rich culture and heritage. Each route includes all the information you need to help you plan your ride, including points of interest along the route, swimming spots, food recommendations and accommodation options, in addition to stunning photography and overview mapping. Downloadable GPX files of the routes are also available, including optional routes and shortcuts. This book is full of practical tips and essential advice for both experienced bikepackers and those who want to try it out for the first time. Let Bikepacking Wales be your companion as you take to the trails to experience the finest bikepacking adventures that Wales has to offer.

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Book SynopsisCycling is a unique way to get to know a territory and has become increasingly popular in recent years. This book provides a collection of Europe’s most fascinating, evocative and iconic bicycle tourism itineraries, with technical data, information about the characteristics of the route, practical advice and curious facts and details about the area the itinerary travels through.Table of ContentsINTRODUZIONE 4 VIAGGIARE IN BICICLETTA 6 LA RETE EUROVELO 12 ITALIA Via Francigena 16 A.I.D.A. 22 Sentiero Valtellina 28 Abruzzo Bike to Coast 32 FRANCIA Ciclovia della Loira 36 Route des Grandes Alpes 42 Véloroute des Deux-Mers 48 Véloscénie 54 REGNO UNITO Ciclovia del Vallo di Adriano 58 The Cornish Way Cycle Route 64 Hebridean Way 68 Great North Trail 72 GERMANIA Ciclabile del Meno 78 Romantische Strasse 84 Percorso del Muro di Berlino 90 Weinstrasse 94 SPAGNA Cammino di Santiago 98 Vía Verde de Ojos Negros e Vía Verde Xurra 104 Gran Canaria Sud-Ovest 110 REPUBBLICA CECA Ciclabile Ohrˇe 114 POLONIA Green Velo 118 Ciclabile del fiume Dunajec 124 AUSTRIA Ciclovia del Danubio 128 Ciclabile del Salzkammergut 134 SVIZZERA Percorso panoramico delle Alpi 138 NORVEGIA Canal Route 144 PAESI BASSI Giro dell’Ijsselmeer 148 FINLANDIA Ciclabile del Lago Näsi - Karhunkaataja 152 SLOVENIA Trans Slovenia 01 156 PORTOGALLO Ecovia do Litoral 162 DANIMARCA Ancient Road 166 ISLANDA Ring Road 170 PERCORSI TRANSNAZIONALI ITALIA - SLOVENIA - CROAZIA Ciclovia Parenzana 174 AUSTRIA - ITALIA Ciclovia dell’Alpe Adria 178 GERMANIA - AUSTRIA - ITALIA Ciclovia dell’Amicizia Monaco-Venezia 184 FRANCIA - REGNO UNITO Avenue Verte 190 REPUBBLICA CECA - GERMANIA Ciclovia Oder-Neisse 196 GERMANIA - SVIZZERA - AUSTRIA Ciclabile del Lago di Costanza 200 NORVEGIA - SVEZIA - DANIMARCA - GERMANIA - PAESI BASSI - BELGIO - FRANCIA - REGNO UNITO Ciclovia del Mare del Nord Eurovelo 12 204 SVEZIA - FINLANDIA - RUSSIA - ESTONIA - LETTONIA - LITUANIA - POLONIA - GERMANIA - DANIMARCA Ciclovia del Baltico Eurovelo 10 210 NORVEGIA - FINLANDIA - SVEZIA - DANIMARCA - GERMANIA - REPUBBLICA CECA - AUSTRIA - ITALIA - MALTA Ciclovia del Sole Eurovelo 7 216 BIOGRAFIA - CREDITI FOTOGRAFICI 222

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year 2023 Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2022 THE TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST SPORTS BOOK OF 2022 A WATERSTONES BEST SPORTS BOOK OF 2022 'A marvellous book' Maxine Peake Cyclist Beryl Burton dominated her sport much as her male contemporary Eddy Merckx, with a longevity that surpasses sporting legends like Muhammad Ali and Serena Williams. Practically invincible in time trials, Burton - also known as BB - finished as Best All-Rounder for 25 years and broke the record for the '12-hour' endurance race; an achievement unrivalled to this day. She won multiple world titles, but her achievements were limited by discrimination from the cycling authorities. Yet she carried on winning, beating men and - infamously - competing against her own daughter, whilst working full-time on a Yorkshire farm and running a household. With previously unseen material and through extensive interviews with family, friends, rivals and fellow sporting giants, Jeremy Wilson peels back the layers to reveal one of the most overlooked, yet compelling characters in cycling history.Trade ReviewObsessed by Beryl. This is an incredible book -- Gabby LoganA story with the ingredients that Hollywood would recognise ... The least publicised, least rewarded great woman athlete ever to be disregarded by her own country * The Times *Quite simply a Tour de Force -- Alyson Rudd * William Hill Sports Book of the Year Chair of Judges *The subtitle may not even be hyperbolic. Beryl Burton, an almost forgotten amateur cyclist who worked on a rhubarb farm in Yorkshire, was not simply the undisputed ruler of British women's cycling for 25 years, but also broke the men's record in a 12-hour time trial. Jeremy Wilson retrieves an astonishing life. -- Simon Kuper * Financial Times *An incredible story about one of the greatest cyclists of all time * Irish Times *Absolutely extraordinary. I feel like we ought to have a statue to her -- Mishal Husain * BBC Radio 4 *To my mortification, I had not heard of Beryl Burton, so pretty much all the material in this was new to me. The subtitle - In Search of Britain's Greatest Athlete - is not hyperbolic: Burton dominated cycling, that most unforgiving of sports, in the 1960s, winning world championships on the road and the track, in 1967 setting a record for the 12-hour time trial (277.25 miles!) not beaten by a man for another two years. A phenomenon. -- Robert Crampton * The Times Best Sports Book of the Year 2022 *Britain's greatest ever cyclist is given the literary treatment she so richly deserves in Wilson's rigorously researched biography of the complex and enigmatic Beryl Burton. * Waterstones Best Books of 2022 *I simply cannot exaggerate how bloody great this book is and how inspiring Beryl's story is -- Emma Cole * Cyclist *My 97-year-old mother-in-law has no interest in cycling but picked it up from our kitchen table, took it home, and loved it! -- Alastair CampbellThe most comprehensive chronicle of its kind * Yorkshire Post *Remarkable -- Ilkley GazetteOne of the greatest figures in the history of British sport. -- Matthew SyedThe DiMaggio, the Muhammad Ali ... of British cycling. -- Gordon BurnA marvellous book. Gives a real insight into Beryl and the times. For the first time I feel like I really know her and questions have been answered. So wonderfully researched, so many things I didn't know! It really puts her on the roster of legends. -- Maxine PeakeLudicrously ahead of her time. Ruthless, relentless, brilliant, belligerent - and quite possibly the greatest Olympian Britain never had. What a story. -- Alistair Brownlee, author of Relentless: Secrets of the Sporting Elite and double Olympic championThe scale of unsung achievement is awe-inspiring -- Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, 11 times Paralympic championJeremy Wilson finds the human heart of a story that gets more extraordinary as a unique athlete recedes into history. Very highly recommended. -- Richard WilliamsJeremy Wilson brings alive this extraordinary woman's achievements (and problems, too - she wasn't always the best mother) in this fabulous biography. -- Sports Books of the Year * Daily Mail *I had never realised the longevity and scale of achievement. I'm in awe. -- Dame Katherine GraingerWhat a story Wilson has uncovered. No one in the history of sport can have worked with quite the self-sacrificing single-mindedness ... a woman of thermonuclear levels of competitiveness -- Jim White * The Oldie *This is not a hagiography, and all the better for it. Wilson brings her personality to life, faults and all. Meticulously researched. Compelling -- Isabel Best, author of Queens of PainA beacon is a guiding light, or a warning signal... a fire in a high place. Beryl Burton was, and is, all of those things. Her flame burns all the brighter thanks to Jeremy's fine book. -- Carlton KirbyA beautiful book that tells us not just what she did, but who she truly was. -- Michael Hutchinson, author of FasterThis is an inspirational story that just had to be told. There are few athletes, male or female, that had the success and longevity of Beryl Burton - but for too long her name and achievements have remained in the shadows. No longer! This fabulous book brings the person and her phenomenal, groundbreaking achievements to light - I couldn't put it down. -- Chrissie Wellington, four times world Ironman champion:Hands up if, like me, you had never heard of Beryl Burton. Shame on us. The truth is she was a cycling phenomenon [and] ferociously competitive Yorkshire girl, who swept the board in all the various British national championships. Jeremy Wilson brings alive this extraordinary woman's achievements (and problems, too - she wasn't always the best mother) in this fabulous biography. -- Roger Alton * Daily Mail *Subtle, full of insight, extensively researched and a joy to read -- Paul Jones, author of End to EndImpressively thorough ... worth every page * Road.cc *A superb book about someone who was great before her time * Pez Cycling News *A long overdue and remarkable biography of a remarkable cyclist -- The New European * Charlie Connelly *The fascinating [and] extraordinary story of Yorkshire's very own ... it is an excellent book [and] well worth a read * Cycling Europe Podcast *Charts the incredible story of cyclist Beryl Burton, who set a world record in 1967 and was Britain's best all-rounder for 25 successive years. Given her myriad achievements across several decades, it is surprising that Burton is relatively unknown among the wider public; this book aims to address that. -- Nathalie Issa * The Daily Telegraph *Beryl was a woman ahead of her time, she was an incredible athlete with an inspirational mindset, and we are only left to imagine what she would have achieved given the same opportunities as the women's peloton now has. We are grateful to Beryl and the women like her who paved the way for our generation to enjoy the professionalism and recognition that she so richly deserved -- Lizzie Deignan MBE, Professional CyclistBeryl is a worthy winner of the award, because it charts the most incredible of sporting endeavours and gradually reveals Burton to be both admirable and troubling ... it is not a book just for cycling enthusiasts. Burton would have stormed the Olympics had it allowed female cyclists to compete, and her story demanded the attention to detail that Wilson affords it. -- Alyson Rudd, chairwoman of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award * The Times Best Sports Book of The Year *Jeremy Wilson provides a convincing case in his tribute to this elusive and remarkable figure -- Best Sport Books of the Year * The 42 *An incredible story about one of the nation's greatest-ever athletes that you probably haven't heard of - until now. * The Sport Review *A fascinating book ... brilliant story [and] definitely well worth checking out. There's been many plaudits for Jeremy's amazing book, but a common thread that runs through them is how thoroughly well researched it is. -- Anthony Walsh and James Spender * Cyclist Magazine Podcast *The Telegraph chief sports writer Jeremy Wilson set out to learn more about Beryl Burton and at the end of a long investigative odyssey ended up convinced that Burton was the greatest athlete this country has ever produced. Who are we to argue? * Cycling Weekly Gift Guide *I loved it, as everyone else has [and] recommend people get it, read it cover to cover and be amazed by the life of Beryl Burton. * Spokesmen Cycling Podcast *Wilson's account is thoroughly-researched, comprehensive, engaging and accessible. This is not a story of a neatly compartmentalised double life of super-human achievement and domestic bliss; it is the tale of a champion driven by childhood trauma who forced colossal sacrifices at home in her relentless pursuit of competition ... [and] he skilfully guides the reader through a rich collection of first-hand accounts, carefully arranged to allow a balanced view * Critic *

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Book SynopsisLonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Discover 200 of the best places to ride a bike in this beautifully illustrated hardback. From family-friendly, sightseeing urban rides to epic adventures off the beaten track. Destinations range from France and Italy, for the world's great bike races, to the wilds of Mongolia and Patagonia. These journeys will inspire - whether you are an experienced cyclist or just getting started. The book is organised by continent. In the Americas we join a family bikepacking trip in Ecuador; we pedal the Natchez Trace Parkway and stop at legendary music spots; we ride the Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon and California; go mountain biking in Moab and Canada; and explore the cities of Buenos Aires and New York by bicycle. European rides include easy-going trips around Lake Constance, along the Danube and the Loire, and coast-to-coast routes; routes in Tuscany, Spain and Corsica; and professional journeys up Mt Ventoux and around the Tour of Flanders. In Asia, we venture through Vietnam's valleys; complete the Mae Hong Son circuit in northern Thailand; cross the Indian Himalayas; and pedal through Bhutan. And in Australia and New Zealand we take in Tasmania and Queensland by mountain bike; cycle into Victoria's high country and around Adelaide on road bikes; and try some of New Zealand's celebrated cycle trails. Each ride is illustrated with stunning photography and a map. A toolkit of practical details - where to start and finish, how to get there, where to stay and more - helps riders plan their own trips. There are also suggestions for three more similar rides around the world for each story. Each piece shows how cycling is a fantastic way to get to know a place, a people and their culture. About Lonely Planet: Started in 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel guide publisher with guidebooks to every destination on the planet, gift and lifestyle books and stationery, as well as an award-winning website, magazines, a suite of mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet's mission is to enable curious travellers to experience the world and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves in. TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 winner in Favorite Travel Guide category 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia) Trade Review"Armchair cyclists and pro-level pedalers alike will find many new reasons to hit the road." * O, The Oprah Magazine *"Armchair, beginner and hardcore cyclists will thrill to the pictures and diverse biking routes outlined in this substantial hardcover book." * Newsday *"This eye-catching and inspirational work provides ample encouragement to even the most novice cyclist to get out and experience a new biking adventure...gives readers hundreds of ideas." * Library Journal *"Beautifully illustrated hardback...These journeys will inspire – whether you are an experienced cyclist or just getting started." * Crave *"At first glance, what stands out most about this volume is its beauty—the gorgeous cover, the breathtaking interior photos full of personality, the maps that are simple and useful yet visually appealing. But that level of excellence and attention to detail simply befits the beautiful world these memorable bike rides showcase, and this volume contains information and insight that reach far beneath the surface...The book has the expertise and excellence you’d expect from Lonely Planet. It is best suited to experienced cyclists, but it by no means requires the most advanced skills, readers are assured." * Foreword *"This is a peach of a read: aspirational and ambitious, it's perfect for cyclists who might be getting a little tired of following the same rutted path every day" * Burton Mail *"Avid cyclists will want to get their hands on this Lonely Planet title. Covering more than 200 trails—including family-friendly jaunts and epic off-the-beaten-path asides— from the Pacific Coast Highway to Patagonia, it's sure to inspire your 2018 travels." * Jetsetter *"With a range of rides for every type bike in practically every corner of the globe, this looks to be a book that will pass many a cold wet evening by the fire." * Single Track *"Epic Bike Rides of the World is the latest book from Lonely Planet that budding bikers and committed cyclists shouldn’t be without. This beautiful book is a great addition to your coffee table…" * New Zealand Herald *"Inside its pages is a catalogue of bank balance-melting, excess baggage charge-inducing, arse-chafing big rides accompanied by photography that is occasionally so breathtaking you feel like you’ve already done the first km. This is some high-class bike porn, this is. And inspiring and informative too. But mostly the former." * New Zealand Herald *"Once you clap your eyes on the jaw-droppingly exhilarating photos you’ll be taking your bike to the local cyclery to get it in bike-touring condition. The pictures of the Dolomites in Italy and the Taktsang Monastery in Bhutan … made me want to teleport with my bike to faraway lands without delay. " * Good Reading *"More than a laundry list of the world’s most beautiful bike paths, this hardcover book presents a bevy of first-person accounts of 50 cycling routes from 30 countries. Get inspired, and then find out what you need to do to get you and your two wheels there, from the experts at Lonely Planet." * Toronto Star *"Bicycle travel is about going slowly, exploring the world and seeing it for the first time, also bringing back the most indelible memories about the people you’ve met. Epic Bike Rides of the World by Lonely Planet reveals the most epic bike rides in the world, from easy-going, family-friendly rides and urban sightseeing routes to epic adventures off the beaten track. From a 7,500 mile pedal through Africa to a remote ride over the Mongolian plains, the worlds most epic biking routes have been revealed in this beautifully illustrated hardback." * Bless This Stuff *

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Book SynopsisJobst Brandt (1935-2015) was a California cyclist and engineer whose passion and intellect changed the way we ride bikes today. Years before the evolution of mountain bikes and gravel bikes, his legendary 'Jobst rides' took riders and their bikes to places they hadn't gone before. Jobst spent almost fifty summers in the Alps, lightweight touring and adventuring over 2,000 miles each time, always carrying a camera to document his trip. He was also the brilliant mind behind many innovations such as the bike computer and smooth tires, and he even influenced the birth of the mountain bike

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Book Synopsis“A truly inspiring journey that celebrates the healing power of adventure. A must-read.” – Levison Wood “Wonderfully relatable on so many levels. Simon’s wanderlust, mental roller coaster and reactions to a fast-changing world had me enthralled in his journey, but very much reflecting on my own over the past few years. A brilliantly crafted book which holds a mirror up to the world we live in.” - Mark Beaumont "Simon’s cycle ride around his own country is a fine demonstration that adventure and transformation begins on your own doorstep.” - Alastair Humphreys The remarkable and inspirational true story of how one man battled grief and anxiety, one pedal stroke at a time, on a 3,500-mile adventure around Britain In March 2020, as Britain entered its first lockdown, Simon Parker’s life fell apart; his travel journalism career vanished overnight and shortly afterwards he received the tragic news that a close friend had died. With a long-suppressed anxiety disorder starting to rear its head, he turned to the only therapies he knew and trusted: travel and exercise. Setting off on his bike from the northernmost point of Shetland with only a sleeping bag and a camping stove, Simon would end up cycling 3,427 miles around Britain. En route, he would meet hundreds of resilient Britons, who were all, in their own way, riding out the storm just like he was. Even in his gloomiest moments he began to see that a chink of light was never too far away. Riding Out is a story of optimism and hope, and a ground-level portrait of Britain as it transforms from a country in crisis to a nation on the mend. From Shetland to the Scillies, Dover to Durness, Simon learns that life’s sharpest corners are best navigated at the gentle pace of a bicycle.Trade ReviewIf you've recently bought a 'lockdown bike' and realise you've not been using it enough, this inspirational, down-to-earth and touching book may give you a few ideas. * Tom Chesshyre *Simon's cycle ride around his own country is a fine demonstration that adventure and transformation begins on your own doorstep. * Alastair Humphreys *[Riding Out is] both hugely inspirational yet still relatable... Simon's vulnerability at times will show many readers - myself included - that they aren't alone in feeling lost these past 18 months. How he has managed this vulnerability with humour throughout the book drew me in, as did his ability to capture the spirit of the people he met along the way. His ability to describe challenging moments with honesty makes it feel like you're hearing an old friend regale the trip over dinner. * Alex Outhwaite *A truly inspiring journey that celebrates the healing power of adventure. A must-read. * Levison Wood *In Riding Out, Simon Parker holds a humane mirror to a fractured Britain as it adjusts to a strange, isolated new world. * Jon Dunn, author of The Glitter in the Green *Wonderfully relatable on so many levels. Simon's wanderlust, mental roller coaster and reactions to a fast-changing world had me enthralled in his journey, but very much reflecting on my own over the past few years. A brilliantly crafted book which holds a mirror up to the world we live in. * Mark Beaumont *

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Book SynopsisTraffic-Free Cycle Trails by Nick Cotton contains over 400 cycle routes in Great Britain. First published in 2004 and regularly updated ever since, it has become one of the country’s most popular cycling books, and this fourth edition published in 2020 features a large number of updates and revisions.Traffic-Free Cycle Trails includes a great variety of routes on former railway paths, canal towpaths and forest trails in England, Scotland and Wales – and every ride is away from traffic. For that safe and peaceful bike ride, increasingly the target of families and leisure cyclists alike, Nick Cotton’s guidebook has proven invaluable.Discover previously unknown local trails, plan fun rides for all the family, and travel to unfamiliar areas throughout the UK with quality routes. Presented in an easy-to-use format and packed with useful information in ten regional sections, it includes route descriptions of rides in every part of Britain. From novice riders looking to escape traffic to parents planning safe rides with children, let Traffic-Free Cycle Trails take the work out of finding the UK’s best cycling routes.Table of ContentsHow to use this guideFinding a grid referenceTowpath cyclists’ safety codeForestry code01 South-WestMountain bikingForestry Commission landNational Cycle NetworkThe trails02 South-East Mountain biking Forestry Commission land National Cycle Network The trails 03 East of England Mountain biking Forestry Commission land National Cycle Network The trails 04 East Midlands Mountain biking Forestry Commission land National Cycle Network The trails 05 West Midlands Mountain biking Forestry Commission land National Cycle Network The trails 06 North-West Mountain biking Forestry Commission land National Cycle Network The trails 07 Yorkshire Mountain biking Forestry Commission land National Cycle Network The trails08 North-East Mountain biking Forestry Commission land National Cycle NetworThe trails09 WalesMountain bikingForestry Commission landNational Cycle NetworkThe trails10 ScotlandMountain bikinForestry Commission landNational Cycle Network The trailIndex

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Book SynopsisAt twenty-five, Emily Chappell took up cycle couriering while she searched for a 'real job'. Eight years on, she is still riding. As she flies through the streets of London, dancing with the traffic, Chappell records the pains and pleasures of life on wheels: the dangerous missions; the moments of fear and freedom, and ultimately the simple joy of pedalling onward.

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Book SynopsisLonely Planet's Best Bike Rides Great Britain is your passport to 40 day trips on two wheels. Use pedal power to see a destination through a new lens by picking a ride that works for you, from just a couple of hours to a full day, from easy to hard. From rail trails to coastal pathways we cover the country with easy-to-follow trails for cyclists and E-bike riders.Inside Lonely Planet's Best Bike Rides Great Britain Travel Guide:Colour maps (including elevation charts) and images throughoutSpecial features - on Italy's highlights for cyclist, kid-friendly rides, accessible trails and what to takeOur Picks… section helps you plan your trip and select rides that appeal to your interestsRegion profiles cover when to go, where to stay, what's on, cultural insights, and local food and drink recommendations to refuel and refresh. Featured regions include: England, Scotland, Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, Bath, Edinburgh, Stonehenge, Welsh Mountains, Cambridge, Oxford, the Scottish Highlands, Stratford-upon-Avon and moreEssential info at your fingertips - ride itineraries accompanied by illustrative maps are combined with details about ride duration, distance, terrain, start/end locations (including bike rental options) and difficulty (classified as easy, easy-moderate, moderate, moderate-hard, or hard)Over 50 mapsThe Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Best Bike Rides Great Britain, our most comprehensive guide to riding in Great Britain, is perfect for those planning to explore Great Britain on two wheels.Looking for more information on Great Britain? Check out Lonely Planet's Great Britain guide for a comprehensive look at what the country has to offer.About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day.‘Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' New York Times‘Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' Fairfax Media (Australia)

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Book Synopsis''Beautiful, an instant classic, a poignant voyage through Barry''s love for cycling and the turmoil he lived through because of it.'' DAVID MILLARIn Shadows on the Road, Michael Barry explores the dreams and passions of cycling in this moving and controversial account of life at the heart of the Peloton, from the one day classics to the Tour de France, from US Postal to Team Sky.In 2012, veteran cyclist Michael Barry announced his retirement from the sport after fourteen years. Weeks later he testified against his former teammate Lance Armstrong, as part of the USADA investigation.In Shadows on the Road, Barry recounts what it was like to ride for US Postal and Team Sky alongside Lance Armstrong, Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome, and how his early idealistic dreams and passions were compromised by a sport in crisis. Offering a dramatic insight into the life and mind of a professional sportsman - the pressures, sacr

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Book SynopsisThe fascinating and unknown story of the Tour de France''s ever-changing relationship with money and power - and the enigmatic family behind it all.It started with a cash drop by an English spy in occupied Paris in 1944. Reserved for Resistance groups during the war, the money reached Émilien Amaury, an advertising executive, who was tasked to help France return to a free press once liberated. He soon launched a newspaper empire that - unbeknown to him - would own the rights to run what would become one of the greatest sporting events in history.Le Tour, once a struggling commercial phenomenon, began to rise in popularity across much of western Europe in the glum years after the Second World War, lifting the mood of the hungry and despondent French. But with the increased interest in the event, exacerbated by the creation of television and the internet, came several cultural threats to national heritage. Multiple attempts to wrest power and profits from the latest geTrade ReviewThe compelling story moves effortlessly from the empty boulevards of German-occupied Paris to the heart of the City of London, from a quiet house in Tring, Herts, to the 21 lungbusting hairpin turns on theascent to Alpe d'Huez. One of the best books you will read this year. * Daily Mail, Sports Books of the Year *Le Fric lifts the veil on the obscure family who run the world's most famous bicycle race, the Tour de France . . . Duff welds together the sporting and business worlds in a way that is always entertaining - like the race itself * Sunday Times, Sports Books of the Year *A rip-roaring read about war, money, politics and sport . . . The 300 pages flew by . . . Deftly covers the big stories and personalities without getting sensational, it's a page-turner but informative and well-sourced. Sports fans should enjoy it and anyone with an interest in media history in France would do well to read it too. * Inner Ring *Brilliant . . . a business history with the rhythm and suspense of a mystery thriller and plenty of curious revelations you will surely be repeating in conversation. * Stelvio *Rollicking * Times Literary Supplement *Le Fric brings new insight to the Tour de France . . . A welcome attempt to unravel the secretive business model and ownership of cycling's best-known event. * Road.cc *Sports book of the year * De Tijd *

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Book Synopsis"A deeply thoughtful, gripping and scrupulous book told in Sayarer's trademark style from the saddle and the roadside" CAROLINE EDENBy a winner of the Stanford Dolman Award for Travel Writing"The best travelogues should make you question your preconceptions of a place and force you to engage with what the author is saying. Türkiye succeeds on both fronts" Cycle Magazine"We need writers who will go all the way for a story, and tell it with fire. Sayarer is a marvellous example" HORATIO CLAREOn the eve of its centenary year and elections that will shape the coming generations, Julian Emre Sayarer sets out to cycle across Türkiye, from the Aegean coast to the Armenian border.Meeting Turkish farmers and workers, Syrian refugees and Russians avoiding conscription, the journey brings to life a living, breathing, cultural tapestry of the place where Asia, Africa and Europe converge. The result is a love letter to a country and its neighbours - one that offers a clear-eyed view of Türkiye and its place in a changing world. Yet the route is also marked by tragedy, as Sayarer cycles along a major fault line just months before one of the most devastating earthquakes in the region's modern history.Always engaged with the big historical and political questions that inform so much of his writing, Sayarer uses his bicycle and the roadside encounters it allows to bring everything back to the human level. At the end of his journey we are left with a deeper understanding of the country, as well as the essential and universal nature of political power, both in Türkiye and closer to home."A persuasive corrective to western views of a place he loves" GuardianTrade ReviewA persuasive corrective to western views of a place he loves * Guardian *The best travelogues should make you question your preconceptions of a place and force you to engage with what the author is saying. Turkiye succeeds on both fronts. * Cycle Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA concise guide to cycling LEJOG - Land's End to John o' Groats - describing an idyllic route that follows quieter roads and traffic-free paths but without too much meandering. Covering 1000 miles, the route is divided into 14 stages and can be comfortably ridden in two weeks. Easy-to-follow route descriptions are accompanied by clear mapping and useful gradient profiles, together with route highlights and points of interest, of which there are many. Invaluable tips and tricks are also included from preparing yourself to preparing your bike, together with logistical advice such as getting to and from the start and finish, accommodation options and more. In addition to the main 14-stage schedule (which includes an alternative option through Central Scotland), longer and shorter schedules are also suggested, making it easy to prepare a personally tailored adventure. The route, which passes through a diverse range of landscapes, from almost sea level across the Somerset Levels to over 1400ft through the magnificent Cairngorm Mountains, showcases some of Britain's best cycling. It is a must for anyone who's ever been remotely tempted to take on this iconic end-to-end challenge.

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Book SynopsisFrom 2015 to 2017, Peter Sagan achieved the seemingly impossible: he won three road race World Championships in a row, ensuring his entry into the history books as one of the greatest riders of all time.But to look at Peter’s record in isolation is to tell only a fraction of his story, because Peter doesn’t just win: he entertains. Every moment in the saddle is an opportunity to express his personality, and nobody else has succeeded in making elite cycling look so much fun. From no-hands wheelies on the slopes of Mont Ventoux to press conference mischief with clamouring journalists, Peter exudes a passion for the sport and a lovable desire to bring smiles to the faces of his fans.So, for the very first time, you will have the opportunity to glimpse behind the scenes of Peter’s world. You will discover the gruelling training programmes necessary for success, and how Peter copes with the pressure of high expectation. You will feel that sense of elation when crossing the line ahead of the pack, and moments of desperation, like in 2017 when Peter realised he wouldn’t be allowed to challenge for his sixth Tour de France green jersey. But what better tonic than to ensure a third year in rainbow – an achievement which may never be repeated again.Trade ReviewSagan is not only one of the greatest riders of all time, he’s probably one of the most entertaining as well. His autobiography offers a glimpse behind the scenes and into his world of mischief -- Mildred Locke * Bike Radar, *Books of the Year* *

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Book SynopsisWith a new Afterword.Lance Armstrong won a record-smashing seven Tour de France yellow jerseys after staring down cancer, and in the process became an international symbol of resilience and courage. In a sport constantly dogged by blood doping scandals, Armstrong seemed above the fray. Never had cycling - or any sport-boasted such a charismatic and accomplished champion. Then, in the summer of 2012, the legend imploded. The rumors that had long dogged Armstrong began to solidify. Buried evidence surfaced. Hushed-up witnesses came forth. Armstrong''s Tour victories were stripped from him. His sponsors abandoned him. In January 2013, Armstrong finally admitted doping during the Tours, and in an interview with Oprah, described his mythic, perfect story as one big lie. But his admission raised more questions than it answered. With over three years of extensive reporting, deep sourcing, and interviews with nearly every key player, including Armstrong, Reed Trade ReviewCaptivating * The Economist *A detailed account of Armstrong's eventual descent into disgrace * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisHaving documented the famous cycling climbs of France and Italy, Simon Warren completes his trilogy on cycling’s Grand Tour nations with the 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs of Spain. Packed full of the legendary roads on the Spanish mainland which have found fame in the Vuelta a España, such as the Angliru, Puerto de Velefique, Lagos de Covadonga and the mighty Pico Veleta, the featured climbs travel the length and breadth of the country – from the Pyrenees, across the Basque Country to Asturias, around Madrid and down through Cataluña to Andalucía. The book also travels out to sea to cover Mallorca and the Canary Islands. These perennially favoured destinations for cyclists searching for year-round sun are home to some extraordinary climbs, from Sa Calobra on Mallorca, to Teide on Tenerife, and the incomparable Roque de los Muchachos on La Palma.

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Book SynopsisLonely Planet's Best Bike Rides New Zealand is your passport to 38 day trips on two wheels. Use pedal power to see a destination through a new lens by picking a ride that works for you, from just a couple of hours to a full day, from easy to hard.From rail trails to coastal pathways we cover the country with easy-to-follow trails for cyclists and E-bike riders.Inside Lonely Planet's Best Bike Rides New Zealand Travel Guide:Colour maps (including elevation charts) and images throughoutSpecial features - on New Zealand's highlights for cyclist, kid-friendly rides, accessible trails and what to takeOur Picks… section helps you plan your trip and select rides that appeal to your interestsRegion profiles cover when to go, where to stay, what's on, cultural insights, and local food and drink recommendations to refuel and refresh. Featured regions include: Marlborough, Bay of Islands, Akaroa, West Coast, Central Plateau, Milford Sound, Waiheke Island, Kaikoura, Mackenzie Country, Waitomo Caves, Canterbury, Rotorua, Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and moreEssential info at your fingertips - ride itineraries accompanied by illustrative maps are combined with details about ride duration, distance, terrain, start/end locations (including bike rental options) and difficulty (classified as easy, easy-moderate, moderate, moderate-hard, or hard)Over 48 mapsThe Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Best Bike Rides New Zealand, our most comprehensive guide to riding in New Zealand, is perfect for those planning to explore New Zealand on two wheels.Looking for more information on New Zealand? Check out Lonely Planet's New Zealand guide for a comprehensive look at what the country has to offer.About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day.‘Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' New York Times‘Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' Fairfax Media (Australia)

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Book SynopsisTIM LEWIS is a feature writer at the Observer and contributing editor of Esquire. He has previously been editor of both the Observer Magazine and Observer Sport Monthly, Britain's most prestigious sports magazine. Prior to that he was editor of the Independent on Sunday's Sunday Review and deputy editor of Esquire.Trade ReviewFascinating... not a typical rags to riches, triumph against adversity tale... Lewis does a fine job of unpicking a tangled narrative * Observer *A remarkable story... attempts to import the Lycra-clad, precision-engineered world of the Tour de France into rural Africa form the heart of this absorbing book...Team Rwanda’s story could have been edited into an uplifting tale of unlikely success, with Niynoshuti’s Olympic appearance as the rousing finale. Instead this is a more complicated, darker, account. * Financial Times *It's a book that successfully melds many facets and characters. At times deeply shocking, always moving and occasionally very amusing, The Land of Second Chances is ultimately an uplifting story of hope * Wheelsuckers *His meticulously researched work merits a wider audience than appealing to devotees of the biking fraternity – and will surely get one…. A good cycling tale and this one is a cracker * Birmingham Post *An eloquent and compassionate tale by Observer author Tim Lewis. Perfect for: sport lovers after a leftfield underdog story -- Sam Dansie * Bike Radar *

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Book SynopsisTravel is good for us. It makes us happy!Escape more, celebrate more, "weekend" more with DK travel guides and create memories that last a lifetime.Each of our books is jam-packed with gorgeous pictures, helpful maps and expert insights, making them totally comprehensive, really easy to use, and full of ideas and inspiration. And we know what we're doing we've been publishing guides for over 30 years. So forget the ordinary. Travel extraordinary.

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Book SynopsisTim Moore completes his epic (and ill-advised) trilogy of cycling's Grand Tours. Julian Berrendero's victory in the 1941 Vuelta a Espana was an extraordinary exercise in sporting redemption: the Spanish cyclist had just spent 18 months in Franco's concentration camps, punishment for expressing Republican sympathies during the civil war. Seventy nine years later, perennially over-ambitious cyclo-adventurer Tim Moore developed a fascination with Berrendero's story, and having borrowed an old road bike with the great man's name plastered all over it, set off to retrace the 4,409km route of his 1941 triumph - in the midst of a global pandemic. What follows is a tale of brutal heat and lonely roads, of glory, humiliation, and then a bit more humiliation. Along the way Tim recounts the civil war's still-vivid tragedies, and finds the gregarious but impressively responsible locals torn between welcoming their nation's only foreign visitor, and bundling him and his filthy bike into a vat of antiviral gel.Trade ReviewVuelta Skelter is really three books in one. It's the story of Moore's own epic 2,760-mile, lung-busting, thigh-wrenching journey... It is a rich, kaleidoscopic look a the legacy of the Spanish Civil War... And it is also a tribute to Berrendero - a tough, dour loner who refuses to give an inch, either to the mountains or to the authorities... Moore wants to restore JB [Berrendero] to his proper place in the ranks of cycling legends. He succeeds superbly. -- Roger Alton * Daily Mail, *Book of the Week* *Marvellous -- Richard Peploe * Road.cc *Reading Tim Moore is a joy... you will belly laugh at the bedraggled, gazpacho-guzzling figure Moore cuts in Vuelta Skelter... he emerges as a two-wheeled Groucho Marx and a thoughtful Simon Schama combined. -- Iain Marshall * Cycle *Vuelta Skelter's style is colloquial, full of jokes... the narrative races along like Berrendero on a good day... a valuable portrait of those post-war years of murder and hunger, and the modern Spain that still hardly dares mention them. -- Michael Eaude * Times Literary Supplement *Vuelta Skelter...[is] his best cycling book yet. The mixture of the hilarious and the harrowing really shouldn't work but, in the hands of a writer as skilled as Moore, it deftly combines his trademark mischievous wit and a love of cycling. * Cycling Plus *

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Book Synopsis'Impeccably researched' - London Cyclist'The climbing fan's bible' - The Washing Machine Post 'A deep dive into and a celebration of mountain climbing' - Cyclist MagazineWhen, during the Pyrenean stages of the 1998 Tour de France, a journalist asked Marco Pantani why he rode so fast in the mountains, the elfin Italian, unmistakeable in the bandanna and hooped ear-rings that played up to his "Pirate" nickname, replied: "To shorten my agony."Drawing on the fervour for these men of the mountains, Climbers looks at what sets these athletes apart within the world of bike racing, about why we love and cherish them, how they make cycling beautiful, and how they see themselves and the feats they achieve.Working chronologically, Peter Cossins explores the evolution of mountain-climbing. He offers a comprehensive view of the sport, combining contemporary reports with fresh one-to-one interviews with high-profile riders from the last 50 years, such as Cyrille Guimard, Hennie Kuiper and Andy Schleck. And, unlike many other cycling books, Climbers also includes the stories of female racers across the world, from Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio and Annemiek van Vleuten to Fabiana Luperini and Amanda Spratt.Climbers analyses the personalities of these racers, highlighting the individuality of climbing as an exercise and the fundamental fact that it's a solitary challenge undertaken in relentlessly unforgiving terrain that requires unremitting effort.Captivating and iconic, Climbers is the ultimate cycling book to understand what it takes both physically and mentally to take on the sport's hardest stages.

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Book SynopsisGet ready to explore America's most thrilling gravel, road and trail bike routes. This definitive companion for cycling enthusiasts showcases 200 of North, Central and South America's best and most celebrated routes, from epic adventures off the beaten path to shorter urban rides. Go bikepacking in Baja, road riding in Colombia, mountain biking in Canada and gravel riding in Pennsylvania. Each ride is accompanied by stunning photos and a map and toolkit of practical details - where to start and finish, how to get there, where to stay and more - to help you plan the perfect trip. Suggestions for similar rides around the world are also included. Rides in Canada include: The Cabot Trail (Nova Scotia) Whistler Bike Park (British Columbia) The Whitehorse Trails (Yukon) Banff to Whitefish (Alberta) Rides in the USA include: Mountain Biking in Moab (Utah) Great Allegheny Passage Colorado Beer Ride Glacier National Park Loop (Montana) The Covered Bridges of Vermont Rides in Central America & Caribbean The Baja Divide (Mexico) Oaxaca to Zipolite (Mexico) Cuba's Southern Rollercoaster (Cuba) Rides in South America include: The Trans Ecuador Mountain Bike Route (Ecuador) Mendoza Wine Ride (Argentina) The Lagunas Route (Bolivia) To the Tip of Patagonia (Argentina) The Peru Divide About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.

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Book SynopsisThe Camino de Santiago de Compostela (Camino Francés or Way of St James) is among the world's most famous pilgrimages: Christian pilgrims have travelled to the shrine of St James in Santiago, northern Spain, since the ninth century. This guide provides all the information you need to successfully cycle the Camino. The Camino Francés is the most popular variant of the Camino, linking St Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French-Spanish border with Santiago via Pamplona, Burgos and León. The guide presents the journey in 18 stages. Two versions of the route are described, the first (770km) based closely on the walkers' route and suitable for hybrid or mountain bikes; the second (798km) a 'road route' for road and touring cycles. It can be cycled in around 10-14 days and is very well provisioned. Clear route description and mapping are accompanied by notes on local points of interest, as well as background information on Spanish history and the history of the Camino. The practicalities are also thoroughly covered, including travel to and from the route, accommodation, facilities, kit and how to qualify for and obtain your Compostela (pilgrims' certificate). Whether you're seeking a spiritual journey, a physical challenge or just a holiday, the Camino promises an unforgettable experience - from the beautiful landscapes, historic towns and rich culture of northern Spain to the famed camaraderie with other wayfarers. Blending information with inspiration, this guide is an ideal companion to cycling this UNESCO-listed route.Table of ContentsMap key Overview map Route summary table Introduction History The Camino The routes Natural environment Preparation Pilgrim credentials and information Getting there and back Navigation Accommodation Food and drink Amenities and services What to take Safety and emergencies About this guide The route Navarre and La Rioja Stage 1 St Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles Stage 2 Roncesvalles to Pamplona Stage 3 Pamplona to Estella Stage 4 Estella to Logroño Stage 5 Logroño to Santo Domingo de la Calzada León y Castile Stage 6 Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Villafranca Montes de Oca Stage 7 Villafranca Montes de Oca to Burgos Stage 8 Burgos to Castrojeriz Stage 9 Castrojeriz to Carrión de los Condes Stage 10 Carrión de los Condes to Sahagún Stage 11 Sahagún to León Stage 12 León to Astorga Stage 13 Astorga to Ponferrada Stage 14 Ponferrada to O Cebreiro Galicia Stage 15 O Cebreiro to Sarria Stage 16 Sarria to Palas de Rei Stage 17 Palas de Rei to Arzúa Stage 18 Arzúa to Santiago de Compostela Appendix A Facilities summary table Appendix B Tourist information offices Appendix C Cycle shops Appendix D Pilgrim information Appendix E Useful contacts Appendix F Language glossary Appendix G Spanish architectural styles

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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