Get 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 PassageColorado Beer RideGlacier National Park Loop (Montana)The Covered Bridges of VermontRides in Central America & CaribbeanThe 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 DivideAbout 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. Read more

Join the millions of cyclists who swear by the name Zinn. Now in its sixth edition, Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is the world’s best-selling guide to bicycle repair and maintenance. Lennard Zinn is the world’s leading expert on bike maintenance and repair. From basic repairs like how to fix a flat tire to advanced overhauls of drivetrains and brakes, his illustrated, step-by-step guide explains the tools you’ll need and how to know you’ve done the job right. This book's interior is easy to read, even in a dimly lit garage or workshop. Hundreds of hand-drawn illustrations and exploded parts diagrams show just the right level of detail to lead you through every bicycle repair task. In over 450 pages, Zinn’s guide includes simple instructions for hundreds of bike maintenance and repair jobs, including: Basics: How to fix a flat tire, lube a bicycle chain, adjust the brakesEmergency repairs: How to fix a broken chain, tighten loose spokes, repair a bent derailleurEasy shifting: How to adjust shifters, derailleurs, and cables for clean and smooth shiftingWheels: How to true a wheel, install a new tire, change a cassette, replace broken spokes, build your own wheelsOverhauls: How to service and replace pedals, chains and chainrings, saddles, handlebars, stems, headsets, forks, bottom bracketsNew tech: How to maintain 11-speed systems, electronic and wireless shifters, disc brakesCyclocross: How to set up a ’cross bike for racing, select the right components, and make quick repairsTroubleshooting: How to figure out what’s wrong with any bike and fix it This sixth edition of Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance also includes more than 50 new illustrations as well as completely new information on routing internal wires, cables, hoses, and housing; how to pack bikes for shipping and air travel; repair on the road tips for tubeless tires; how to chain wax, and so much more. This guide makes bicycle repair and maintenance easy, quick, affordable, and fun. With Zinn at your side, you’ll know how to keep your bicycling running smoothly for years. Read more

Winner of the 2021 National Outdoor Book Award Sara Dykman made history when she became the first person to bicycle alongside monarch butterflies on their storied annual migration—a round-trip adventure that included three countries and more than 10,000 miles. Equally remarkable, she did it solo, on a bike cobbled together from used parts. Her panniers were recycled buckets. In Bicycling with Butterflies, Dykman recounts her incredible journey and the dramatic ups and downs of the nearly nine-month odyssey. We’re beside her as she navigates unmapped roads in foreign countries, checks roadside milkweed for monarch eggs, and shares her passion with eager schoolchildren, skeptical bar patrons, and unimpressed border officials. We also meet some of the ardent monarch stewards who supported her efforts, from citizen scientists and researchers to farmers and high-rise city dwellers. With both humor and humility, Dykman offers a compelling story, confirming the urgency of saving the threatened monarch migration—and the other threatened systems of nature that affect the survival of us all. Read more

Five, Ten or Never is packed full of color photos and tales of mummies, mountains afire, drunken donkeys, and a hitchhiking dog.Judy and Dave left a perfectly pleasant middle-class existence to wander about for years ….and with only one change of underwear.They travelled by canoe, horseback, and hot air balloon, but mostly by bicycle. No matter the form of transportation they were continually lost, and wrong turns brought unexpected adventures.They broke the rules, skirted danger, and missed the train--along with some buses, boats, and an occasional airplane. But did they miss the security of “home”?Discover it all, along with Judy and Dave, as they start their journey in Europe. Read more

Unlock the full potential of your mountain biking adventures with Mastering Mountain Biking: A Complete Guide to Mountain Bike Skills, Trails, Gear, Fitness and Bike Repair for Thrilling Off-Road Adventures. Congratulations! By considering this book, you've taken the first steps toward embracing a lifestyle filled with adventure, fitness, and community.This essential guide for riders of all levels equips you with the knowledge and confidence to explore trails, improve your skills, and enjoy the myriad benefits of mountain biking, whether on a traditional bike or an e-MTB.Written by an experienced mountain biker with a passion dating back to the late 1980s, it provides a solid start and an excellent reference for the future. If you’re ready to delve into the world of cycling, this comprehensive guide will help you master everything from the basics to advanced mountain bike skills.Perfect for new riders seeking straightforward, easy-to-apply advice, it's also invaluable for seasoned bikers with in-depth chapters on bike maintenance, gear checklists, epic places to ride, and specialized tools.Mastering Mountain Biking stands out for its simplicity and concise content designed to be quickly absorbed. The author’s love for nature and desire to connect others with the great outdoors shines through every page, making this more than a manual—it’s an invitation to share the joy of mountain biking.In addition to everything you need to know about traditional mountain biking, Mastering Mountain Biking includes a comprehensive section on electric assist mountain bikes (e-MTBs). E-MTBs are not “cheating”; they’re a fantastic way to extend trail-riding years, especially for those hindered by injury or arthritis.Inside "Mastering Mountain Biking," you'll discover:In-depth guidance on bike maintenance and essential biking gear.Techniques for downhill and cross-country riding.Tips for navigating singletrack and mastering mountain bike trails.Comprehensive sections on bikepacking and trail riding adventures.Detailed advice on cycling techniques, bike repair, and bike safety.Insights on mountain bike racing and building endurance.Tips for finding the best bike parks and off-road trails.Useful information on cycling training and improving overall fitness.Coverage of both traditional mountain biking and electric assist mountain bikes (e-MTBs).Whether you’re just getting started, fine-tuning your riding techniques, learning about year-round biking, or seeking insights on advanced skills, this guide is your ultimate companion for all things mountain biking. Dive in and discover how to make the most of every ride!Join the thousands of cyclists who have found joy, fitness, and adventure through mountain biking. Mastering Mountain Biking is more than a book—it's your gateway to mastering the trails and embracing the thrill of outdoor sports. Get your copy today and start your journey towards mountain biking mastery! Read more

Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance is the world’s best-selling guide to the maintenance and repair of mountain bikes, hybrids, and fat bikes.From basic repairs like how to fix a flat to advanced overhauls of drivetrains and brakes, Lennard Zinn’s clearly illustrated guide makes every bike repair and maintenance job easy for everyone. Lennard Zinn is the world’s leading expert on bike maintenance and repair. His friendly, step-by-step guide explains the tools and parts you’ll need and how to know you’ve done the job right. The book’s interior is easy to read, even in a dimly-lit garage or workshop. Hundreds of hand-drawn illustrations and exploded-parts diagrams show just the right level of detail to lead you through every mountain bike repair task. This smartly organized guide shows how to repair new and old mountain bikes from top to bottom. In over 500 pages and more than 750 illustrations, Zinn’s guide includes simple instructions for hundreds of mountain bike maintenance and repair jobs: Basics: How to fix a flat tire, lube a bicycle chain, adjust the brakesEmergency repairs: How to fix a broken chain, tighten loose spokes, repair a bent derailleurEasy shifting: How to adjust shifters, derailleurs, and cables for clean and smooth shiftingWheels: How to true a wheel, install a new tire, change a cassette, replace broken spokes, build your own wheelsOverhauls: How to service and replace pedals, chains and chainrings, saddles, handlebars, stems, headsets, forks, bottom bracketsNew tech: How to maintain 1x-speed systems, electronic and wireless shiftersTroubleshooting: How to figure out what’s wrong with any bike and fix it Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance makes bicycle repair and maintenance easy, quick, affordable, and fun. With Zinn at your side, you’ll know how to keep your bicycle running smoothly for years. New in the 6th Edition: A chapter on electronic shifting covers maintenance, service, repair, and troubleshooting of all Shimano electronic shifting groups. Also included: How to program your electronic shifting system for personalized shifting as well as real-time display and shift recording on a head unit.A chapter on disc brakes covers maintenance, service, and repair of all hydraulic and mechanical systems. Includes integrated systems and their bleeding requirements.New guides on how disc brake mounting adapters work and how to install them.Complete info on the new 11-speed and SRAM 12-speed drivetrains.Info on all the newest bottom brackets including 1x11 and 1x12 systems.New guidelines on wheel size selection for your frame size, suspension settings, and travel.New procedures for mounting and sealing tubeless tire systems.New usage guidelines for flat-prevention sealants.Updated guides on replacing press-in bottom brackets with thread-in bottom brackets.New wheel lacing guidelines for building disc-brake compatible wheels.Updated and expanded guides on how to tune, rebuild, and maintain suspension forks and rear shocks. Includes tuning guides for preload, compression, rebound, and sag.Updated and revised troubleshooting tables, torque tables, and gearing charts for 26”, 27.5”, and 29” bikes.Also covered in the 6th edition: All derailleur shifting systems; all bottom bracket systems; all brake systems; all headset, stem, handlebar and fork systems; wheelbuilding for all bikes; updated and expanded torque tables; complete indexes of all illustrations and topics covered. Whether you’re riding a classic Stumpjumper or a carbon-fiber race machine, Zinn has got you covered! Read more

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Explorers Kristen and Ville Jokinen met scuba diving in Vietnam and fell in love. She was a real estate agent from Oregon, and he a financial analyst for Toyota in his native Finland. After hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from the border of Mexico to Canada they decided their next adventure would be a two year cycling trip covering 18,000 miles from Prudoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina, despite never having cycled other than around the block. Only their starting and ending points were planned, in between was navigated daily by their sense of adventure and intuition. Locals in Mexico, Central America, and South America allowed them to camp in their fields and farms, invited them into their homes and families and acted as tour guides. Kristen and Ville held babies, attended quinceaneras, drank pulque, played soccer, and visited schools. They persevered unrelenting, punishing rain and wind, altitude sickness, dog attacks, bike accidents, and countless flat tires to cycle between the ends of the earth. Ville and Kristen Jokinen move through the world with a sense of curiosity and belief that kindness connects us to our shared humanity. Well-timed following a global pandemic, Joy Ride reconnects us to hope and the inspiration to pursue our wildest dreams. Kristen and Ville are love on wheels. Read more

'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. Read more

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisherDiscover 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) Read more

A guidebook to cycling the Camino de Santiago (Camino Francés or Way of St James) pilgrim route from St Jean-Pied-de-Port in southern France to Santiago de Compostela. Covering 770km (479 miles), this pilgrimage route through northern Spain can be completed in 2 weeks and is suitable for any reasonably fit cyclist. Two routes are described, the first is suitable for mountain/trail bikes and is mainly off-road, and the second is a parallel route suitable for touring cycles that uses quiet asphalt roads. The routes are described east to west in 18 stages, each between 28 and 55km (17–54 miles) in length. 1:100,000 maps and profiles included for each stage? GPX files available to download? Refreshment and accommodation information given for each stage Information on cycle shops with repair facilities along the route Advice on planning and preparation Read more

For most people, the idea of biking across America would seem like an impossible undertaking. If you were told you would be spending 20,000 minutes on your bike seat to cover a distance of 3,000+ miles, it would seem like lunacy. It appears even more improbable if you include crossing hot deserts, sandstorms, tornados, scary thunderstorms, remote stretches, soul sucking headwinds, flood plains, steep inclines, treacherous declines, trucks blasting by you two feet away at 80+ mph, hunger delirium, costly bike repairs, and mangy stray dogs chasing you down while you bike up a hill. Oh . . . and add in possible nefarious characters you might bump into including biker gangs, the Russian mafia, serial killers, ghosts, and even perhaps, a UFO sighting. The idea of biking across America was so far out of my comfort zone that my imagination ran wild and placed my fear gauge on overdrive. It was all part of trying to achieve the seemingly impossible goal of biking across America self-supported. In today's workaholic society where busyness, wealth, and status are celebrated, and yet over 70% of workers are unsatisfied, I wanted something different. I wanted a mission that excited and inspired me. I wanted to physically and mentally challenge myself to take on a bold, audacious goal that took me way out of my comfort zone. Biking across America without external support fit the bill. In the following pages, I share my journey of discovery as I first bike down the California coast before heading east from San Diego to Amelia Island, Florida. I share the fears that almost stopped me from starting, the various adverse situations I had to overcome, the many amazing people I met, the epic landscapes I experienced, and the triumph of accomplishing a seemingly impossible dream. While my main motivation for riding across America was the challenge of biking from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean, it turned out that the rewards were not simply conquering the physical and mental challenges but more so in overcoming my fear and personal demons, experiencing the power of kindness from strangers, learning lessons including what is humanly possible, and most of all, recognizing what a great country we live in. In this travel memoir, I put you in my seat, experiencing the day to day grind and mystery that makes this 3,411-mile journey of discovery so rewarding. Enjoy the ride! Read more

•SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2022••A SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE TIMES AND THE GUARDIAN•The remarkable untold story of the mercurial cycling prodigy Frank Vandenbroucke, written by William Hill award-winning author Andy McGrath.They called him God. For his grace on a bicycle, for his divine talent, for his heavenly looks. Frank Vandenbroucke had it all, and in the late Nineties he raced with dazzling speed and lived even faster.The Belgian won several of cycling's most illustrious races, including Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Paris-Nice and Ghent-Wevelgem. He was a mix of poise and panache who enthralled a generation of cycling fans. Off the bike, he only had one enemy - himself. Vandenbroucke dabbled in nocturnal party sessions mixing sleeping pills and alcohol and regularly fell out with team managers. By 1999 his team had suspended him and this proved to be the start of a long, eventful fall from grace. Depression, a drug ban, addiction, car crashes, divorce and countless court appearances subsumed his life. He threatened his wife with a gun. He tried to commit suicide twice. And when police found performance-enhancing drugs at his house, Vandenbroucke said they were for his dog.It seemed he had finally learned from his mistakes. Then, on 12 October 2009, aged just 34, Vandenbroucke was found dead in a hotel room in Senegal.Guided by exclusive contributions from his family, friends and team-mates, William Hill award-winning author Andy McGrath lays bare Vandenbroucke's chaotic, complicated life and times. God is Dead is the remarkable biography of this mercurial cycling prodigy. Read more

**2023 Readers' Favorite Silver Medal Winner****2023 Best Indie Book Awards Finalist**Book DescriptionReady for a life-altering adventure? This gripping memoir will take you on a thrilling ride through the heart of Ethiopia, where the author pushes his physical and mental limits. This incredibly-written work contains a myriad of adventures, from dangerous to inspirational, entertaining to informative, and fast-paced to serene.Balarezo's vivid storytelling transports you to the rugged landscapes of Ethiopia, from bustling Addis Ababa to remote villages and the Danakil Depression--deemed 'hell on earth' since it has the world's highest average temperature. He's assaulted daily by stone-hurling children, crashes a wedding party, scales a cliff with Ethiopian Orthodox monks, and witnesses the miracles of Ethiopian spirituality alongside murderers, cancer patients, and the mentally ill.Brimming with wit and humor, filled with introspection and insight and, above all, infused with a deep love for this African nation, Unhinged in Ethiopia celebrates the power of stepping outside your comfort zone. Encounters with warm and welcoming locals, their rich traditions, and the country's complex history will inspire you to plan your own life-changing adventure.Perfect for fans of travelogues, memoirs, and stories of personal growth, this book is a must-read for anyone yearning to break free from monotony and embark on a journey of self-discovery. Balarezo's honest and thought-provoking writing will stay with you long after you turn the last page, motivating you to embrace the unknown and unlock your full potential."Brilliantly honest, funny and heart warming." - Mark Beaumont, author of Africa Solo and Around the World in 80 Days."Thought provoking, intelligent and beautifully crafted." -Trevor Lund, author of North to Alaska."A perfect balance of vulnerable introspection and entertaining narrative." -Chelsea Greenwood, author of Leave it All.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"I did not expect such writing prowess and poetic prose from a ‘travel log’ book, but it has all that and more." -Amazon Reader (Verified Purchase)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Balarezo has inspired me to coin the word: "spiricultural!" to describe this masterpiece of art, spirituality, culture, adventure, beauty, and inspiration."-Amazon Reader (Verified Purchase)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This book is a treasure, a catalyst for change, and a beacon for the adventurous soul."-Amazon Reader (Verified Purchase)Balarezo's debut book achieved #1 Bestseller status in FIVE Amazon categories: Literary Travel, Cycling, Extreme Sports, Bicycle Travel, and Sports Travel. Read more

"Around the World on a Bicycle - From San Francisco to Tehran" is a fascinating and profusely-illustrated account of an epic bicycle journey around the world. Starting in America and travelling through Europe, the Middle East, and Finally Asia, the author's entire adventure is here chronicled for the enjoyment of bicycle and travel enthusiasts alike. Contents include: "Over the Sierras Nevadas", "Over the Deserts of Nevada", "Through Mormon-Land and over the Rockies", "From the Great Plains to the Atlantic", "From America to the German Frontier", "Germany, Austria, and Hungary", "Through Slavonia and Servia", "Bulgaria, Roumella, and into Turkey", "Through European Turkey", "The Start through Asia", et cetera. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in a modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on the History of the Bicycle. Read more

Bogotá Travel Guide 2024: Your Ultimate Companion to Discovering Colombia’s Captivating CapitalAre you ready to uncover the magic of Bogotá? Whether you’re planning your first trip or returning to explore more, Bogotá Travel Guide 2024 is the perfect resource to ensure you don’t miss a single moment in Colombia’s bustling capital. This guide takes you beyond the usual tourist spots, revealing the city's must-see attractions, rich history, vibrant culinary scene, iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and diverse accommodations. Every page is packed with insider tips and personalized recommendations to help you make the most of your journey.Explore the historical wonders of La Candelaria, where colonial architecture meets contemporary art, and dive deep into the city’s cultural heritage through museums like the renowned Museo del Oro and the Botero Museum. Discover Bogotá’s incredible culinary offerings, from world-class restaurants to authentic street food, giving you a true taste of Colombian flavors. Be stunned by the city’s spectacular landmarks, such as Monserrate, offering panoramic views of the metropolis, and the vibrant nightlife scenes in Zona Rosa.What sets Bogotá Travel Guide 2024 apart is its comprehensive approach. We not only highlight the top things to do, but also uncover hidden gems that most guides overlook—those charming cafes, local markets, and secret hiking trails that truly bring Bogotá to life. Additionally, we provide tailored accommodation suggestions, from luxurious stays to budget-friendly hostels, ensuring a perfect fit for every traveler’s needs.This guide’s unique selling point is its focus on delivering a local’s perspective—crafted with care and firsthand experience. You’ll get practical advice on day trips, safety precautions, transportation, and currency tips, making your trip smoother and more enjoyable.Don’t just visit Bogotá—experience it. Let Bogotá Travel Guide 2024 be your trusted companion. Grab your copy today and get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Read more

You face snarling dogs, ruthless border guards with guns raised, a violent coup, and predators who see you as a sexual trophy. Alone in the mystical East, borders slam shut around you. You're cycling 8,500 miles from England to India, with no GPS and no cell phone—just the wind in your face and a barren emptiness ahead.Amazon Number One Bestseller. “A compelling travelogue”, Union Square Review.This is the riveting true story of a young man’s solo bicycle odyssey: freezing in the Anatolian mountains of Turkey, confounded by butterflies in the empty Iranian desert, passing through the rubble of a coup in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and surviving dire illness in Pakistan's Indus valley. His journey ends in the heart of the subcontinent, having glimpsed true freedom. This is an account of humankind’s essential goodness, of trusting unseen hands that can steer us from disaster, and of learning that the way out is through.Unsolicited reader reviews:Fascinating, harrowing, moving, and inspiring.Paints a beautiful picture of a young man's belief in himself and his journey of discovery.I felt like I was on the journey.The photos and drawings add depth to the dialogue.Lyrical writing, moments of connection and illumination.This was one gutsy journey.Boy, did I enjoy this book; I’m sorry the trip is over. Read more

SHORTLISTED FOR ADVENTURE TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEARIn the spring of 2015, Mark Beaumont set out from the bustling heart of Cairo on his latest world record attempt - solo, the length of Africa, intending to ride to Cape Town in under 50 days. Seven years since he smashed the world record for cycling round the world, this would be his toughest trip yet. And he would set a new mark that would simply break the limits of endurance.Despite illness, mechanical faults, attempted robbery and stone-throwing children, as well as dehydration in the deserts and unprecedented levels of exhaustion, Mark completed the journey in just 41 days, 10 hours and 22 minutes, after cycling 6,762 miles, spending 439 hours in the saddle (sometimes up to 16 hours a day) and climbing 190,355 feet through 8 countries. It was an astonishing journey, and one that will fascinate and grip the reader.From the obvious dangers of Egypt, Sudan and Kenya, over the unpaved, muddy, mountainous roads of Ethiopia, through the beautiful grasslands of Tanzania and Zambia, to riding at night in Botswana in the company of elephants and giraffes, Mark brings Africa to life in all its complex glory, friendship and curiosity, while inspiring us all to question the bounds of what is possible. Read more

A young boy lies bleeding on a remote Mexican highway. A group of bicycle tourists beg passing motorists for assistance. Bystanders draw away in fear: “You never know who might be watching.”So begins The Guest, the story of a year-long cycling journey from Canada to El Salvador. Armed with a young man’s ego, a fluent command of Spanish and an ambitious plan to ride his bike to Patagonia, Australian Quinten Dol answers the call of adventure and makes the road his home. He survives run-ins with religious fanatics, murderous semi-trailers and the U.S. Border Patrol, crossing 8,000 miles of high deserts, craggy mountains and steaming jungles under his own pedal power.But it is the people Quinten encounters — a vast and colorful cast that includes his best friend, Hualapai elders, migrant laborers, Zapotec matriarchs, scruffy fellow cyclists and a new love — who teach him what it truly means to be an adventurer and a human in the modern age.Spanning vast swaths of the United States, Mexico and Central America, The Guest is a love letter to bicycle touring, a cross-continental road trip at 10 miles per hour. For any traveler who loves the backroads and in-between places of the world, this book is for you. Read more