From the winner of the Telegraph Sports Book Awards Cycling Book of the Year 2018 The first Tour de France in 1903 was a colourful affair full of adventure, mishaps and audacious attempts at cheating. Its riders included characters like Maurice Garin, an Italian-born Frenchman, said to have been swapped for a round of cheese by his parents in order to smuggle him into France to clean chimneys as a teenager, Hippolyte Aucouturier with his trademark handlebar moustache, and amateurs like Jean Dargassies, a blacksmith who had never raced before. Would this ramshackle pack of cyclists draw crowds to throng France's rutted roads and cheer the first Tour heroes? Surprisingly it did, and, all thanks to a marketing ruse dreamed up to revive struggling newspaper L'Auto, cycling would never be the same again. Peter Cossins takes us through the inaugural Tour de France, painting a nuanced portrait of France in the early 1900s, to see where the greatest sporting event of all began.

In 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.

Join the world’s biggest bike race on its 40-year journey from the Argus Tour to the Cape Town Cycle Tour.

312 pages with over 1000 iconic images, astonishing facts, all the winners, personal memories and the in-depth tale of each of the 39 tours to date.

Each year, from 1978, is featured as a separate chapter with:

• Highlights & facts over the years
• Factoid boxes throughout
• A graphic (for each year) showing the finish line comparisons of record holders & finishing times
• Overall finishing statistics comparison graphs since 1978
• The date, the distance & main category winners listed for each year since 1978
• Location map of the route (showing changes since 1978)
• Key stats for each year
• Overview of sponsors
• Key rider personalities
• Winner’s photos
• Images reflecting riders & supporters since 1978
• Bike, clothing, gear & technology changes over the years
• Images of the medals, logos & awards
• Key celebrities, personalities & organisers over the years
• Race number graphics & badges
• Over 1000 photographs from the archives featuring:
• Spectators
• Personalities
• Historic moments
• Interviews with iconic personalities & their personal memories
• Historic newspaper clippings
• “The year that was” box with non-cycling events for each year

On 1 January 1999, Travis Gale (aged 17) and Stephen Bonaconsa (aged 27) left Johannesburg on a mission to cycle across four continents and raise R1 million for children living with, and affected by HIV/AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal. They pedalled out of Johannesburg, riding mountain bikes equipped with panniers, carrying the basic requirements for an adventure. They rode unsupported. No Instagram or Facebook. It was just the two of them and the open road. The pair successfully cycled over 16 000 kilometres, across four continents, through 16 countries, raising R1.7 million for their cause.

When asked to share about his experience, Travis very rarely spends time talking about the start or the finish of the tour. The stories Travis shares are from The Middle. It’s The Middle that tests us with challenges, yielding a multitude of emotions. It’s The Middle that involves the raw and often painful need to dig deep, to push through the barriers that stand in our way, and show ourselves what we are capable of. The Middle is what we, as human beings, were designed for. We can all pitch up at start lines. We can all celebrate a finish. But no finish is without a Middle and every Middle is where WHO WE ARE is revealed.

This book, The Middle, includes eight stories, drawn from eight key days of a world cycle tour, which will encourage and equip people through The Middle; the territory we must navigate in pursuit of our goals.

When Travis Nelson arrived in London, he expected to embark on a new life and a new job. Coming from California, he'd uprooted his wife and his cat, Sigrid, and planned to be here for the long haul. Then Covid-19 struck. Travis's new job vanished as the company cut staff. For two years, and through successive lockdowns, he was stuck in limbo in an unfamiliar city, trying to find his way.

To keep himself occupied, Travis set out to discover his adoptive home. He bought a bike and began cycling through London's streets and parks with his unusual travelling companion, Sigrid - his deaf, Norwegian Forest cat - who came along for the ride. But what started as a way of injecting routine and purpose into Travis's life in stressful times, created an internet sensation. When Travis began posting videos of the pair's rides on social media, he drew in another community of people looking for moments of joy in an anxious world.

In this charming memoir, Travis charts his adventures with Sigrid. He unlocks a hidden London seen only from cyclist's viewpoint, as well as finding friendship and hope. Most of all, it is the story of one man's relationship with his feline companion - one that has given him direction and a sense of belonging at a time when he felt lost.

If you love cycling and want to learn more about this sport, then The South African Bike Book & Events Guide is for you.

Cycling is a complex sport and if you want to improve your abilities, whether it is just to make it to the top of your nearest hill without stopping, or whether to win a champion race, cycling takes dedication and sacrifice. In this book we give you everything you need to equip yourself to become the best cyclist you can be. The book will introduce you to the origins of the humble bicycle, as well as key safety and cycling regulations and tips on staying alive.

As a cyclist knowing your equipment and the anatomy of your bike is important. This book gives you all the information you require on how to buy the correct bike, the variety of bikes on the market, how the various options differ, and how many different ones you need to covet, rather than need. Other chapters include the gear (kitting yourself out properly), the workshop (how to care for your bike), set-up and skills (basic set-up, road skills and MTB skills) as well as training and nutrition (the basics, recovery, injury and illness). The last chapter focuses on top events highlighting the top 5 road races and MTB races and other popular cycle races, uniquely African races, DIY and the ultras.

Of course once you have equipped yourself with this knowledge we give you a fantastic ride and training logbook, because practice makes perfect.

So get your ride on, with the ultimate South Africa Bike Book & Events Guide today!

Here is a guidebook to the Elbe Cycle Route, possibly the easiest long-distance cycle route in Europe, being almost entirely flat or downhill for some 1200km. Cruise alongside one of Europe's great rivers as it flows from its source, through Czechia and Germany to the North Sea. This guidebook describes the route across 29 stages (together with a practical prologue stage), with stages ranging from 21 to 69 kilometres. Suggested schedules include 13, 15, 17 and 19 day options, making this a perfect 2-3 week cycle tour. Map extracts at a scale of 1:150 accompany clear route description, with gradient profiles provided where they are helpful. Background information on the region's history and natural environment is also provided, as are practical tips relating to preparation, transport to the start and finish, accommodation, amenities, navigation, safety and more. History abounds along this waymarked route. Pedal passed restored palaces, cathedrals, churches and other baroque and rococo buildings; see where the Iron Curtain once stood; and discover the great cities of Dresden, Magdeburg and Hamburg.

"His ability to overcome adversity and pain, even in the face of death, is what makes Grant truly unique." – Edwin Moses, Olympic Gold Medallist

He was told he would never cycle again. But South African ultra-endurance cyclist Grant Lottering doesn’t take no for an answer.

In 2013, Lottering’s heart stopped after a gruesome accident in the Italian Alps. Doctors said he would never ride again. Since then, he has completed many gruelling rides through some of the toughest terrain on the planet. The first South African to complete a solo, non-stop 420-kilometre ultra-endurance ride through the northern French Alps in under 24 hours, Lottering has endured numerous rides previously thought to be impossible, while raising millions for charities.

Grant Lottering is a highly regarded motivational speaker and ambassador for Laureus Sport for Good. His story – proving that the human body can achieve the near impossible if you have the right mindset – is an inspiration to millions.

"Perseverance, resilience and determination personified". – Bryan Habana

Bikepacking 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.

Bikepacking is the off-road equivalent of cycle touring, often offering opportunities for wild camping in addition to the usual accommodation options for sleeping under a roof: it promises an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the environment as you explore the best of what the area has to offer on two wheels. This guide presents eight challenging 2–5 day rides in the Lake District, suitable for mountain bikes (some routes are also rideable on a gravel bike). All routes are accessible by public transport and many can be completed over a long weekend. They are graded from Moderate to Very Hard, although all involve considerable ascent and descent and sections where you may need to push or carry your bike – as such, they are suited to fit experienced riders. Clear route description, mapping and elevation profiles are supplemented with a wealth of planning information, including accommodation listings, notes on facilities, and summary details (including grades) for each individual section of the route. Also included are tips on food, kit and navigation and alternative itineraries. The routes combine roads, tracks, lanes and bridleways to take you among, around and over the Lakeland Fells, with highlights including the iconic road climbs of Hardknott, Wrynose, Whinlatter and Honister; the off-road passes of Sticks Pass, Stake Pass and Black Sail; and the highest bridleway in England over Helvellyn, England's third highest mountain. The guide also features the classic Lakeland 200, which can be ridden over 5 days or completed as an Individual Time Trial.

A 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.

Eat Bike Cook brings together 40 delicious easy recipes created to meet the energy demands of cyclists, with tips, hacks and food diaries from women cyclists, both professionals and enthusiastic amateurs. There are quick, up-and-at-'em breakfast ideas to charge you up pre-ride, energy-boosting back pocket picnics to keep you going strong while you're on the road and wonderfully restorative main meals to share with friends once you've crossed the finish line. With stunning food photography and illustrations by Kitty Pemberton-Platt, whose drawings have lit up Instagram with their honest visualisations of what female cyclists really eat. As well as providing inspiration on easy and tasty ways to fuel for days on the bike, Eat Bike Cook is a celebration of the female cycling community: of the great chat in a cafe mid-ride, of the handful of Haribos that gets you through the last 25km and the shared beer and burger at the end of the day.

This guidebook details the 137 mile sea-to-sea / C2C cycle route. This much loved short cycle tour across northern England takes you from Whitehaven or Workington on the west coast to Tynemouth or Sunderland on the east across 3 days. The ride is suitable for all bike types (including e-bikes) with detailed on and off road alternatives routes given. The guide contains easy-to-use route descriptions accompanied by 1:100,000 maps and useful gradient profiles. Facilities are given for each stage of the ride and a useful accommodation guide is included in the appendices. The ride weaves through the Lake District National Park, northern Pennines and County Durham, providing a balance of challenge and reward as you climb through the mountain passes of Whinlatter, Hartside Top and Black Hill. This cycle tour is a 'must have' on on any cycle tourers ticklist.

""It is late October, and the temperature is already -40 degrees . . . My thoughts are filled with frozen rivers that may or may not hold my weight; empty, forgotten valleys haunted by emaciated ghosts; and packs of ravenous, merciless wolves.""

Having left his job as a high-school geography teacher, Rob Lilwall arrived in Siberia equipped only with a bike and a healthy dose of fear. "Cycling Home from Siberia "recounts his epic three-and-a-half-year, 30,000-mile journey back to England via the foreboding jungles of Papua New Guinea, an Australian cyclone, and Afghanistan's war-torn Hindu Kush. A gripping story of endurance and adventure, this is also a spiritual journey, providing poignant insight into life on the road in some of the world's toughest corners.

The Rob Roy Way is one of Scotland's Great Trails and is very popular with both walkers and cyclists. It runs through many places linked with Scotland's most famous outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor (1671-1734). The route starts at Drymen (near Glasgow) and ends at Pitlochry in the eastern Highlands, so it takes you away from the crowds following the West Highland Way to some of Scotland's finest lochs and glens. Its main spine runs for 79 miles (127 km) and is waymarked. There is an optional extra 17 miles if you take the wilderness extension through Glen Almond and Glen Quaich. Most walkers complete it in 6-8 days and most cyclists in 3-4 days. The main route goes through Loch Ard forest to Aberfoyle, goes beside Lochs Venachar, Lubnaig and Tay and passes through superb scenery, with interesting aqueducts, viaducts and a 3600 year-old stone circle. The terrain is a mixture of forest tracks, cycleway, disused railway trackbed and moorland footpaths. The Way passes through a succession of friendly villages with welcoming pubs and B&Bs. Our fourth edition has more content, with full coverage for cyclists and detailed description of the Glen Quaich alternative. It is now longer, 80 pages in place of 64, with 111 colour photos, many of them fresh. However thanks to its robust perfect binding it is 10 grams lighter than the previous edition and more pocketable. This guidebook contains all that walkers and cyclists need to plan and enjoy the Rob Roy Way: details of distance, terrain and food/drink for walkers and cyclists eight-page section for the extension via Glen Quaich visitor attractions, side-trips and mountains to climb including Ben Ledi planning information for travel by car, train, bus or plane concise biography of Rob Roy MacGregor background on pre-history, heritage and wildlife detailed mapping on 18 pages at 1:50,000 in full colour, with 111 colour photos

Ever wondered what treats of off-road riding might lurk in those big blank bits on the map between Llandegla, Penmachno, The Marin Trail and Coed y Brenin? Well, take a trip back to the future with Pete Bursnall's fully updated version of North Wales' first proper mountain bike guidebook. It contains a carefully selected choice of 27 mountain bike routes, all of which cover real mountains, trails and bridleways beyond the bounds of the formal trail centres. The routes range in suitability from those new to the sport, through medium distance & difficulty and on to some real challenging expeditions to test your fitness, skills, navigation and even sense of humour - such as the epic 78km circuit of the Carneddau mountains...not to be undertaken lightly. This is pretty much where it all began, remembered fondly by those of us who explored the un-ridden on the first generation of fully rigid bikes in a time before helmets, decent brakes and smart phones. This edition was almost complete when Pete succumbed to cancer, which he fought furiously to the end. Matt Strickland took over the reigns, as he had been closely involved with the book, indeed featuring on the front cover. The 27 routes are in 7 areas - specifically Carneddau, Clwydian, Berwyn, Mignant & Moelwyn, Moel Siabod, Rhynnogau and Snowdon. The book has Ordnance Survey mapping for each route, and a gradient diagram. Many colour photographs are included.

The Devon Coast to Coast is southern England's best developed cycle route. Traffic-free paths on former railway lines such as the Tarka Trail, Granite Way, Drake's Trail and Plym Valley Way make this route a unique experience. Whether you are young or old, fast or slow, the limited mileage and stunning countryside makes the Devon Coast to Coast an adventure suitable for all! This guidebook allows you to fully explore the route and its sights. Special features: All the maps you need, full north-south directions, detailed visitor information, things to see and to do, help for tricky logistics, Plymouth station route, extra routes incl. 99.9% tarmac route for narrow tyres, South West Coast Path and Dartmoor walks, GPS-tracks available and full facility listings (hotels, B&Bs, hostels, campsites, bike repair shops and bike rentals).

This guidebook to mountain biking routes in West and North West Scotland describes 25 MTB routes north of the Great Glen, Covering a large geographical area, including Fort William, Rannoch Moor, Glen Spean, Ben Nevis, Sutherland, Torridon and Skye, the routes give a real flavour of the variety of different bike riding available. The routes range from 19.5km to 73.25km, graded moderate to very hard. Many are long and committing, so good preparation and fitness are essential, and in some cases a willingness to "hike and bike". Each route has a clear and detailed route description along with 1:50,000 OS mapping and a height profile. All routes have key information, including distance on and off-road, ascent, grade, time and the nearest pub and cafe. There is also advice on equipment, planning and preparation, and maintenance, before you hit the trails. Scotland is rightly regarded as one of the world's top mountain bike destinations, with magnificent riding and stunning scenery. From the self-proclaimed Outdoor Capital of the UK, Fort William, to the majesty of the Outdoor Hebrides, this guide you will access some of the wildest and remote parts of Scotland, offering scintillating single track, challenging descents, incredible mountain vistas and many rewarding days in the saddle.

Many twenty- and thirty-somethings intend to "do" an extreme adventure, somewhere exotic, but most just dream or join the coach tour. Trevelyan Edwards dared to do, and now he tells the story of his experience. Cycling Solo: Ireland to Istanbul explores five months of cycling solo across Europe. From Ireland to Istanbul via the UK, France, Germany, the Swiss Alps, Serbia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Turkey, with kilometres of unforgettable sites and stories in between, this is a journey worth sharing, particularly when told with such candour. Initially in a weblog format, his story has been edited and complemented by the occasional viewpoint of the family at home. Author Information Best known of Hazel Edwards 160 titles (www.hazeledwards.com) are There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake and Antarctic Writer on Ice. Orienteering was a family sport which meant map reading and getting lost were weekly challenges. Darwin-based Trevelyan cycled solo from Ireland to Istanbul between April and Sept 2005 and introduced his frequently travelling family to the blog. In Cycling Solo Trevelyan has found his voice, but the bike is in bits!

Guidebook to the Way of the Roses, a 170-mile coast-to-coast cycle route across Lancashire and Yorkshire. The three-day journey (alternative two, four and five day itineraries are also outlined) begins in Morecambe and finishes in Bridlington, linking scenic country lanes, minor roads and traffic-free cycle paths. Six excellent day rides, located in the vicinity of the main route, are also described. Clear and concise route description is accompanied by 1:100K mapping and gradient profiles, guaranteeing problem-free navigating. Also included is handy advice on practicalities such as preparation, equipment, accommodation and travel logistics to and from the start and finish of the route. A challenge within the reach of cyclists of all abilities and a satisfying traverse across country, the Way of the Roses takes in idyllic villages such as Burnsall, Pocklington and Settle, castles and cathedrals including York, Ripon abbey and prehistoric sites, along with stunning natural features such as the Three Peaks, Brimham Rocks and Flamborough Head.

Gravel 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.

Having made the daring decision to set off around the world by bicycle, Pam Goodall left the comfortable surroundings of her home in West Sussex one spring morning, and went on to pedal her way through Europe, Asia and America. She was approaching her sixtieth birthday and travelled alone. Riding It Out is a record of this remarkable journey, giving a vivid and lighthearted account. This includes the trials of finding a place to sleep each night, the reality of owning a Brooks saddle and choosing to ignore persistent warnings from well meaning strangers of the dangers lurking ahead for a lone female cyclist. The challenge of obtaining visas throughout Asia proves nerve-wracking and costly. This one woman tale of adventure encapsulates the spirit of freedom of the open road (or bumpy track) so that you can enjoy the experience without the discomforts.

This guide describes 23 day routes, graded by a combination of distance, climb and overall gradient, all suitable for road bikes and illustrated by detailed maps and profiles. In addition a six-stage tour takes in all the highlights, including Grassington, Leyburn, Hawes, Kirkby Stephen, Ingleton and Settle. And for those who really want to test themselves, the route of the Stage 1 of the 2014 Tour de France, a 206km loop from Leeds to Harrogate, is also included, with an option to close the loop without adding many extra miles. Appendices include a route summary table to help you choose your route, lots of information about facilities for cyclists along the routes, taking bikes on public transport and basic bike maintenance. The Vuelta a Dales takes in the best dales, passes and viewpoints as it passes through Grassington, Leyburn, Hawes, Kirkby Stephen, Sedbergh, Ingleton and Settle. The Yorkshire Dales have always welcomed visitors who enjoy the views. For cyclists, the national park and the areas overlapping its boundaries provide a splendid mix of varied scenic landscapes, an extensive network of roads and peaceful lanes and many cycle-friendly cafes and tea shops. With almost every turn revealing yet another stunning view, the Dales are an ideal area to explore by bike.

Designed particularly for those who like country pubs, this book contains Cotswold cycle rides that are between ten and 16 miles long. They are mainly on quiet country roads, though some cross classified roads. The book also features tips and advice.