At the age of 53, and well into ‘Sniper’s Alley’, Craig finally decides it’s time for that BIG challenge - Cycling from his home town of Basingstoke in England to Benidorm in Spain, the ‘New York Of The Med’.During what would become 1,838km of cycling over 22 days, this book follows his journey through England, France and Spain and the challenges he faces as one of life’s older cyclists. There are interesting characters along the way, and some sticky situations that send him off to re-evaluate his life. As we follow the ups and downs of his journey, Craig shares stories from throughout his life, and we discover why he is a big fan of Wilford Brimley’s moustache, how he once drunkenly thought he was in the SAS, and that his cultural references are very much stuck in the latter part of the 20th Century.It’s a journey in more ways than one.All profits from the sale of this book will go to The Pink Place Cancer Charity (Registered in England & Wales No. 1153494) Read more

You’ll smile–you’ll shake your head–and you’ll wonder if the impossible is possible.“If you haven’t been cycle touring, beware, this book may get you borrowing a bike and attempting the impossible.”“An inspiring and very funny book. I don’t often say this of books I’ve read, but this could be made into a film - a comedy, of course!”Join three ordinary men on an extraordinary journey—from the farthest north to the southernmost tip of Britain. With nothing more than a worn-out map and a questionable bike (one of them didn’t even own a bike!), they embark on a life-changing adventure through the heart of the UK, encountering laughter, mishaps, and a whole lot of British pubs along the way.In this funny, heartfelt travel memoir, Alistair McGuinness recounts the trials and triumphs of cycling from John O'Groats to Land’s End, a journey filled with unexpected detours, quirky characters, and unforgettable moments. Along the way, the trio discovers ancient hideaways, survives a storm in the Scottish Highlands, and, of course, finds themselves in the cozy embrace of local country pubs.But this isn't just a story about cycling—it's about friendship, the freedom of the open road, and how sometimes the best adventures happen when you get completely lost. Whether it’s chasing the Beatles, surviving terrible weather, or simply enjoying a pint with strangers, this humorous and inspiring memoir will remind you that extraordinary things can happen when you least expect it.If you enjoy heartwarming travel stories, funny memoirs, and wildly unexpected adventures, you’ll love End to End. Perfect for fans of Bill Bryson, cycling enthusiasts, and anyone who’s ever dreamed of their own life-changing road trip. Read more

“…George's books just keep getting better…”“…laugh out loud funny (note to self, don't read it on the tube)…”“…it won't fail to entertain, enthral and motivate…”“…hilarious and heart-warming…”“…inspiring, poignant and humorous…”“…I laughed, I cried, and am proud of a man I have never met…”Operation Ironman follows George Mahood’s hilarious and inspiring journey from a hospital bed to an Ironman triathlon. After major back surgery, George set himself the ultimate challenge –a 2.4 mile swim,a 112 mile bike ride,and a 26.2 mile run,all to be completed within 16 hours.He couldn’t swim more than a length of front crawl, he had never ridden a proper road bike, he had not run further than 10k in 18 months... and he had never worn Lycra.He had FOUR months to prepare.Could he do it? Read more

Racing Weight is a proven weight-management program designed specifically for endurance athletes. Revealing new research and drawing from the best practices of elite athletes, coach and nutritionist Matt Fitzgerald lays out six easy steps to help cyclists, triathletes, and runners lose weight without harming their training. This comprehensive and science-based program shows athletes the best ways to lose weight and avoid the common lifestyle and training hang-ups that keep new PRs out of reach. The updated Racing Weight program helps athletes: Improve diet qualityManage appetiteBalance energy sourcesEasily monitor weight and performanceTime nutrition throughout the dayTrain to getand staylean Racing Weight offers practical tools to make weight management easy. Fitzgerald’s no-nonsense Diet Quality Score improves diet without counting calories. Racing Weight superfoods are diet foods high in the nutrients athletes need for training. Supplemental strength training workouts can accelerate changes in body composition. Daily food diaries from 18 pro athletes reveal how the elites maintain an athletic diet while managing appetite. Athletes know that every extra pound wastes energy and hurts performance. With Racing Weight, cyclists, triathletes, and runners have a simple program and practical tools to hit their target numbers on both the race course and the scale. Read more

Secondary school teacher and inveterate would-be adventurer Andrew P. Sykes is back in the saddle. This time, however, it doesn’t belong to his long-term sidekick Reggie. There’s a fresh-faced kid on the block and she’s a bike called Wanda. (Nothing fishy about that!)The new double act set off on a grand tour of Europe to explore some of the continent’s most iconic cycling routes and locations: the Vélomaritime, the Avenue Verte to Paris, the Véloscénie to Mont-Saint-Michel, the Vélodyssée, the Canal de la Garonne, the Canal du Midi, the ViaRhôna, the Furka Pass and the Rhine are all on the itinerary of this light-hearted loop from the Hook of Holland… to the Hook of Holland.Join Andrew and Wanda as they put their best foot and only front wheel forward in a hot, dusty but at times very damp quest to delve into the lives, landscapes, history and culture of some of our nearest continental cousins and the countries they call home.[Warning: This adventure also contains trains.]“I love, love, love the humour” Helen Moat, travel writer“Engaging, witty and pacy"Steve Silk, journalist and travel writer“Interesting, intriguing, humorous and well-written” Brian Palmer, The Washing Machine PostFrom the author of:Crossing Europe on a Bike Called ReggieAlong The Med on a Bike Called ReggieSpain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie Read more

In 'A Bit Scott-ish', his follow-up to 'The Full English', Mike Carden rediscovers Scotland with the same wry sense of humour as his first book.“Loaded with laughs, yes, but also pathos and a certain infectious wonderment at the sheer diversity of mankind.” The Stirling Observer“With Mike’s engaging and witty style you are soon travelling along with him as he takes on mountains, copes with the elements of a Scottish summer and being directionally challenged.” www.cycletourer.co.uk'A Bit Scott-ish' is the tale of a journey through Scotland, chance encounters with locals and fellow travellers, delving into Scotland's tumultuous history, surviving storm and wind, and discovering just how hopeless it is possible to be at Nature. And at finding the way. And at quite a few other things as well. The author pedals via the Orkney Islands, the flow country of Sutherland, the Cairngorm mountains, rolling Perthshire, historic Stirling, the rocky coast of Fife, the romantic city of Edinburgh and the Borders, bringing his own descriptive style to a beautiful land.“This is an easy to read, charming and very funny book taking in some of the most breath-taking sights of Scotland.” The Local History Magazine“With almost unquenchable good humour, the author takes on everything that Scotland can throw at him in an unending quest for wildlife spotting, miniature bottles of whisky and lemon drizzle cake.” Velo Vision cycling magazine Read more

SELECTED FOR THE BBC AND READING AGENCY'S BIG SPORTING READ 2024 SHORTLISTED FOR THE SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2024 – CYCLING BOOK OF THE YEAR A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 – SPORT'An amazing adventure... I was left in total awe' - Lorraine Kelly'Brilliant' - Mark Beaumont 16 countries, 124 days and 18,000 miles. This is the story of one woman's solo lap of the planet by bike.'The relief was immense: no longer was I talking, thinking or worrying about this. I was just actually doing it. I, Jenny Graham, was riding around the actual world!'In 2018, amateur cyclist Jenny Graham left family and friends behind in Scotland to become the fastest woman to cycle around the world. Alone and unsupported, she crossed the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin four months later, smashing the female record by nearly three weeks. With infectious wit and honesty, Jenny brings readers into her remarkable Round the World adventure, as she takes on four continents, 16 countries – and countless cups of coffee. Her journey swerves from terrifying near road collisions in Russia and weather extremes in Australia to breathtaking landscapes in Mongolia and exhilarating wildlife encounters in North America. Tight on time and money, she resorts to fixing her bike on the fly, sleeping on roadsides and often riding through the night to stay on track and complete her mission.As she battles physical and mental challenges to race against the clock, Jenny gradually opens up to the joy of the adventure and all its daily discoveries. She gives in to her impulse to connect with people, making friends with strangers across the globe and embracing new cultures. Coffee First, Then the World is her account of a record-breaking ride, and how one woman and a humble bike conquered the world. Read more

Ned Boulting's highly anticipated follow up to How I Won the Yellow JumperPicking up where his bestselling memoir left off 15 years ago, Ned Boulting's love for the greatest cycling race on earth has deepened, his fascination has been sporadically rewarded, his fitness has slowly declined and his hairline has receded… Bringing the story up to the present day, Ned reflects on how the sport has somehow shrugged off the ghosts of its tainted past to reinvent itself. But his latest dispatches from the front line of road racing don't stop at the finish line in Paris. Now graduated from reporting to commentating, his new role has seen him expand his horizons far beyond the reach of the Tour de France. The Accidental Tour-ist takes us behind the scenes to bike races across the continent of Europe, to the Middle East, to China, Malaysia and around Italy six or seven times with a deep dive into life on the road of the Giro d'Italia. Along the way, there is an unhealthy dose of confused encounters with surly waiters, mutual incomprehension in a variety of languages, sudden uplifting and bizarre encounters with strangers, wild dogs, Sicilian police officers, nonagenarian Presidents and lots and lots of professional cyclists. And there are stories born from the absurd rigours of weeks and weeks on the road surrounded by ex-racers who have become close friends, none of whom could be described as 'straightforward'. Quite the opposite. Read more

Explore 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.  Read more

THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS BOOK OF THE CENTURYSHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEARMADE INTO THE FILM, THE PROGRAM, STARRING BEN FOSTER AND CHRIS O'DOWD AS THE AUTHORThe true story of the greatest deception of our time. From award-winning journalist David Walsh, the definitive account of the author’s twelve-year quest to uncover and make known the truth about Lance Armstrong’s long history of performance-enhancing drug use, which ultimately led to the cyclist’s being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.When Lance Armstrong fought back from life-threatening cancer to win the 1999 Tour de France - the so-called 'Tour of Renewal' - it seemed almost too good to be true. It was. Sunday Times journalist David Walsh was one of a small group who was prepared to raise awkward questions about Armstrong's seemingly superhuman feats. And so began a long battle to reveal the truth that finally ended in October 2012 when the cyclist was banned from the sport for life.Walsh's gripping and moving personal account of his struggles is a revealing insight into the murkier end of professional cycling - a place where having the right doctor can make all the difference and where there existed a conspiracy of silence. As he shows, it never was about the bike. However, spurred on by a few brave people who were prepared to speak out in the hope of saving the sport they loved, Walsh continued to probe, and eventually he was vindicated when Armstrong's reputation was ruined.In this updated edition, covering Armstrong's confession to Oprah, Seven Deadly Sins takes the reader into a world of doping and lies, but shows that there is always hope for a better future.  Read more

"For the armchair adventurer, cycling the Lakes with Mike is an enlightening experience," according to the North West Evening Mail. In ‘A Lake District Grand Tour’, Mike's third book, he visits all the lakes of Lakeland, pokes into its most distant corners, and cycles over every mountain pass (well, he attempts to). Cumbria Life magazine writes that the book is "relaxed and chatty with a ready wit,” and The Cumbria Magazine speaks of "a sense of humour in abundance." As Mike rides, he tells the story of Lakeland. He sees where poets wrote and climbers climbed, he tells of ‘oond trailin’ and fell-racing, and he hunts for golden eagles and elusive ring ouzels. With his twenty-year-old son alongside him on the ride (actually more often ahead of him, disappearing up a hill) and sharing his sense of humour, Mike’s is a story of Challenge, History, Wildlife and Scones, though not entirely in that order. As Arrivee magazine says, "Mike Carden’s easy style of writing, with its built-in gentle humour and his eye for detail that many of us would easily miss, belies the fact that he (and his 20-year-old son) have undertaken a serious tour." Join him on A Grand Tour of the Lake District. Read more

Jan Ullrich: The Best There Never Was is the first biography of Jan Ullrich, arguably the most naturally talented cyclist of his generation, and also one of the most controversial champions of the Tour de France.'Magnificent' – Matt Dickinson, The Times'A superlative biography as well as social and sporting history' – ObserverIn 1997, Jan Ullrich announced himself to the world by obliterating his rivals at the Tour de France and becoming Germany’s first ever winner. Everyone agreed: Jan Ullrich would dominate the future of cycling. But he never quite managed it.This is a gripping account of how unbearable expectation, mental and physical fragility, the effects of a complicated childhood, a morally corrupt sport and one individual – Lance Armstrong – can conspire to reroute destiny.Acclaimed journalist Daniel Friebe takes us from the legacy of East Germany’s drugs programme to the pinnacle of pro cycling and asks: what price are you willing to pay for immortality? Read more

A guide to mental toughness from the author of 80/20 Running: “Fitzgerald’s research will help you become your own sports psychologist.” —Joe Friel, endurance sports coach and author of the Training Bible seriesThe greatest athletic performances spring from the mind, not the body. Elite athletes have known this for decades and now science is learning why it’s true. In How Bad Do You Want It?, coach Matt Fitzgerald examines over a dozen pivotal races to discover the surprising ways elite athletes strengthen their mental toughness. Fitzgerald puts you into the pulse-pounding action of epic races from running, cycling, triathlon, XTERRA, and rowing with race reports and revealing post-race interviews with the elites. Their words reinforce what the research has found: strong mental fitness lets us approach our true physical limits, giving us an edge over physically stronger competitors. Each chapter explores the how and why of an elite athlete’s transformative moment, revealing powerful new psychobiological principles you can practice to flex your own mental fitness.The new psychobiological model of endurance performance shows that the most important question in endurance sports is: How bad do you want it? This fascinating book will forever change how you answer this question and show how to master the psychology of mind over muscle. Discover new psychobiological findings including:Mental toughness determines how close you can get to your physical limit * Bracing yourself for a tough race or workout can boost performance by 15% or more * Champions have learned how to give more of what they have * The only way to improve performance is by altering how you perceive effort * Choking under pressure is a form of self-consciousness * Your attitude in daily life is the same one you bring to sports * There’s no such thing as going as fast as you can—only going faster than before * The fastest racecourse is the one with the loudest spectators * Faith in your training is as important as the training itselfFeatured athletes include: Sammy Wanjiru, Jenny Simpson, Greg LeMond, Siri Lindley, Willie Stewart, Cadel Evans, Nathan Cohen and Joe Sullivan, Paula Newby-Fraser, Ryan Vail, Thomas Voeckler, Ned Overend, Steve Prefontaine, and John “The Penguin” Bingham“Fitzgerald has been writing about the psychology of endurance performance for more than a decade now and is really one of the pioneers in terms of trying to take this body of research out of the laboratory and into the field for everyone to try.” —Runner’s World Read more

WINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDOn a fateful night in 2009, Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle met for dinner in Boulder, Colorado. Over the next eighteen months, Hamilton would tell Coyle his story, and his sport's story, in explosive detail, never sparing himself in the process. In a way, he became as obsessed with telling the truth as he had been with winning the Tour de France just a few years before. The truth would set Tyler free, but would also be the most damning indictment yet of teammates like Lance Armstrong.The result of this determination is The Secret Race, a book that pulls back the curtain and takes us into the secret world of professional cycling like never before. A world populated by unbelievably driven – and some flawed – characters. A world where the competition used every means to get an edge, and the options were stark. A world where it often felt like there was no choice. Read more

Award-winning author Steven Herrick journeys across south-western France from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea on a bicycle, following the canals and rivers and sampling the delights of the region. Accompanied by his wife, Cathie and their two hardy bikes christened Jenny and Craig, this is a whimsical adventure beside the iconic Canal des deux Mers, through small villages and along quiet back roads. Spending almost as much time in restaurants and cafes as in the saddle, the author explores the pleasures and pathways of a region renown for history, food and wine and natural wonders. From croissants, cake and confit de canard to bordeaux, beer and bicycles, Steven Herrick never loses sight of his life’s mantra, ‘cycling is just an interlude between meals.’ The author also tackles some of the legendary mountain climbs of the Pyrenees including Col du Tourmalet and Col d’Aubisque, in search of cycling heaven ... and a perfect excuse to eat more cheese.‘bordeaux and bicycles’ is a canal adventure, a restaurant safari and a handbook for those who enjoy slow food, easy cycling and grassroots travel.REVIEWS for 'bordeaux and bicycles':'This book would be great for the armchair traveller and food lover, but will also leave the amateur cyclist thinking about stretching their lycra and having a real cycling adventure. I've got my map out already.' Amazon.co.uk review'I really enjoyed being transported back to one of my favourite countries, France and the author makes you feel you are there. It is a gentle and humorous book and I look forward to his next adventure!' Amazon.co.uk review'An enjoyable read. Herrick writes with humour and affection about the people he meets and the countryside through which he travels. The pace is leisurely and the emphasis is on slow food and quiet back roads. I was very impressed with the final chapters where the author successfully attempts to cycle up a few Pyrenees mountains.' Amazon.com review'I felt like I was on a bike with him on this trip!' Amazon.com review Read more

Traffic-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. Read more

“Read Fast After 50 to learn more about the effects of aging on athletic performance and how you can be a competitive endurance athlete as you get older.” —Triathlete magazineFor runners, cyclists, triathletes, swimmers, and cross-country skiers, getting older doesn’t have to mean getting slower. Drawing from the most current research on aging and sports performance, Joe Friel—America’s leading endurance sports coach—shows how athletes can race strong and stay healthy well past age fifty. In his groundbreaking book Fast After 50, Friel offers a smart approach for athletes to ward off the effects of age. Friel shows athletes how to extend their racing careers for decades—and race to win. Fast After 50 presents guidelines for high-intensity workouts, focused strength training, recovery, crosstraining, and nutrition for high performance: How the body’s response to training changes with age, how to adapt your training plan, and how to avoid overtraining How to shed body fat and regain muscle density How to create a progressive plan for training, rest, recovery, and competition Workout guidelines, field tests, and intensity measurement In Fast After 50, Joe Friel shows athletes that age is just a number—and race results are the only numbers that count. With contributions from: Mark Allen, Gale Bernhardt, Amby Burfoot, Dr. Larry Creswell, John Howard, Dr. Tim Noakes, Ned Overend, Dr. John Post, Dr. Andrew Pruitt, and Lisa Rainsberger.“Fast After 50 is the best of this year’s batch of practical books on science and performance. A great overview of the science of endurance training for anyone, but particularly focused on how to adapt as you get older. Solid advice, clearly presented.” —Runner’s World Read more

“…funny, touching, inspiring and a little terrifying all at the same time…”“…George never fails to make me laugh…”“…What a lovely book. Made me smile and cry!...”“…brutally honest, and absolutely hilarious…”“…Mahood has become my favorite author…”Embark on a hilariously adventurous journey with George Mahood's DNF Series, now available in a captivating seven-book box set.Join George and his wife Rachel in their unconventional attempts at completing various challenges. From ultramarathons to ironman triathlons, epic swimming challenges to European adventures, the Mahoods tackle it all with humour, determination, and a touch of madness. George’s witty prose and unexpected encounters make this collection a rollercoaster of laughter, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit.Get ready for a one-of-a-kind reading experience that will leave you inspired and entertained from start to finish. Read more

“…funny, touching, inspiring and a little terrifying all at the same time…”“…brutally honest, and absolutely hilarious…”“…Mahood has become my favourite author…”What happens when a self-confessed amateur dives headfirst into the world of endurance sports?Chaos, laughter, and a heap of unexpected life lessons.Join George Mahood on a hilarious journey of ambition, family, and plenty of incompetence as he tackles marathons, triathlons, and a 10km swim – despite barely knowing how to swim a year earlier.Alongside his wife, Rachel, and their three children, George explores the ups and downs of staying active, from chaotic family bike rides and hill-walking escapades to camping trips where nothing goes as planned.This is not your typical guide to athletic greatness. Forget rigorous training schedules and expert advice – George’s approach to fitness involves winging it, laughing through the failures, and embracing the joy of simply showing up.Did Not Finish is a series of books about George and his family’s adventures in running, cycling and swimming. Perfect for fans of outdoor adventures, family chaos, and stories that celebrate the lighter side of pushing yourself, these books are a mix of inspiration and hilarity. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or someone who just enjoys a good laugh, you'll find plenty to love in every step, pedal, and paddle of the journey. Read more

“Within the first few pages I was hooked"“I totally devoured the book…I’m so glad that I read this""Laugh out loud""The story of a wonderful and very human adventure""Such a fascinating read"Discover the untold stories of one of the world’s most popular coastlines.Part sporting travelogue, part political history, (Just As Well) It's Not About The Bike follows journalist Chris Atkin's 1,300km cycle from Valencia to Gibraltar. En route, he travels through Spain’s most picturesque towns. And Benidorm.Along the way he learns about the region’s history, from the time four hydrogen bombs fell over Spain, to the politician who shot General Franco’s daughter in the bottom yet rose to become one of the country’s most powerful men. While riding across Spain, Chris also meets an array of eccentric characters such as the man who lives in a cave and the Airbnb host who admitted strangling her previous guest.People told him he was crazy to leave his job and his girlfriend behind to jump on the cheapest bike he could find. After a series of mishaps including one that almost sparked a mountain rescue mission, it would appear they were right. Read more