German Baron Karl von Drais first introduced the two-wheeled tandem human-powered wooden-framed vehicle to the world, in the summer of 1817, its rider gamely steering with the front wheel while pushing along with his feet. After that history is rather vague about the bicycle. We know that the mechanically powered velocipede took off in the 1860s, soon followed by the Penny Farthing, but it wasn't until the late nineteenth century that the golden age of bicycles took off as people realised the freedoms afforded by self-powered travel, and touring and racing became popular pastimes. Today of course cycling is a global phenomenon both in professional sporting and non-professional spheres. This book of stunning photographs charts the evolution of the bicycle across 200 years of history.

Cycling in London is booming! Everywhere you look cyclists are zipping around the city; commuting to work, visiting friends or just riding for the pleasure of it. This book is written for anyone looking to ride new and interesting paths through the city. Detailing 50 beautiful rides that will charm and inspire you and indeed help you discover the city anew, "Where to Ride London" is the ultimate guide for recreational cyclists either native Londoners or riders visiting from abroad. There are 5 kids specific rides, great for youngsters and learners - and a further 21 tagged as 'kid friendly' for fledgling riders, helpful information for parents looking to get the family out and about on two wheels. Along with brilliant text from Nick Woodford, author and contributor to many other travel books like Rough Guides and Alistair Sawdays, there are around 180 evocative colour photos that capture the essence of life on two wheels in London. Crammed full of information on the history, culture, and people of London there is also loads of practical help on how to prepare and what to take with you.

Riding up hills is the ultimate challange for a cyclist. This guide is a compilation of some of the best hills in Cumbria and the Lake District. It's not just a definitive list of the Top 50 toughest climbs; instead, author James Allen has selected some of the most iconic, thrilling, interesting, varied and, of course, challenging hill climbs that this beautiful region has to offer. There's something for everyone, from the Weekend Warrior to the serious road racer. Just get out there and enjoy the ride!

"The South Pennines Mountain Bike Guidebook" introduces you to the wilderness and urban trail networks of Kirklees & Calderdale, Airedale & Wharfedale and Lancashire. New riding centres include: Stainburn, Healey Nab, Gisburn Forest and Lee Quarry that mix freely with classic Pennine riding on London Road, around Rivington Pike and on likely Moor. This guide contains 26 meticulously researched and legal routes, most with short, medium and long modular options detailing routes that can be full day epics, half day rides or a short blast. The modular design means you can choose from over 70 separate possible rides to suit the weather conditions on the day, or simply how much of a ride you fancy. Each route is accompanied by excellent, evocative photography clearly detailing what you can expect to see on route. Ordnance Survey mapping, gradient profiles, clear route descriptions and informative text make planning your ride a pleasure in your living room and routes easy to follow from your pocket, on the trail.

Alex Dowsett’s pulsating autobiography lifts the lid on a decade of life in the world’s greatest pelotons and tells how he succeeded despite being the world’s only top sportsperson with haemophilia A. For over a decade Alex Dowsett had been one of Britain’s best cyclists. He has ridden Grand Tours and Classics for elite teams including Sky and Movistar and broke the iconic World Hour Record – the ultimate time trial challenge. With humour, insight and brutal honesty, Alex tells of the challenges he has faced in his struggle to reach the top and his years as a pro-cyclist. Alex has achieved all this despite being the only top sportsperson in the world with haemophilia A. He describes how the condition – in which falls can be fatal – blighted his young sporting life, and his determination to succeed in cycling. Amazingly, he went on to excel in a sport in which cuts, grazes and bruises are a given. Every professional cyclist requires courage, but Alex takes fearlessness to another level. With an allstar cycling cast, including Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome, Lance Armstrong and Mark Cavendish, this pulsating book lifts the lid on life in the peloton at the world’s top level. Open and frank in his views, Alex recalls his highs – including his coming of age time trial victory, a famous Giro d’Italia stage victory riding solo for 18 kilometres and famously breaking the World Hour record in 2015 – as well as his frustrations at the injustices he faced in the sport. Alex announced his forthcoming retirement at the end of the 2022 season and this memoir perfectly chronicles a career in which he was driven equally by love and rage. His compelling personal story combines with his take on being part of the golden age of British cycling and his sometimes outspoken views to produce an inspirational story of sporting endeavour.

The Great British Road Rides Guide will inspire you to plan spectacular road rides. Road-tested by experienced rider Clive Forth, the 55 fun, flowing routes have been selected for their lack of traffic, their variation and their stunning views of the British landscape. * Routes from all across the UK * Each ride features a route map, an elevation map and concise information on length, climbs and rail links, along with a descriptive ride-through * Rides vary from 30km to 200km, with climbs of 200m to 3000m * Includes two 'Taste Le Tour' rides for each of the two Tour de France Yorkshire stages in 2014. Also includes printable routes from the Bloomsbury website.

This book explores the cultural, social, spatial, and political dynamics of skateboarding, drawing on contributions from leading international experts across a range of disciplines, such as sociology and philosophy of sport, architecture, anthropology, ecology, cultural studies, sociology, geography, and other fields. Part I critiques the ethos of skateboarding, its cultures and scenes, global trajectory, and the meanings it holds. Part II critically examines skateboarding in terms of space and sites, and Part III explores shifts that have occurred in skateboarding's history around mainstreaming, commercialization, professionalization, neoliberalization and creative cities.

Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things. How did the skateboard go from a menacing fad to an Olympic sport? Writer and skateboarder Jonathan Russell Clark answers this question by going straight to the sources: the skaters, photographers, commentators, and industry insiders who made such an unlikely rise to worldwide juggernaut possible. Skateboarders are their own historians, which means the real history of skating exists not in archives or texts but in a hodgepodge of random and iconic videos, tattered photographs, and, mostly, in the blurry memories of the people who lived through it all. From California beaches to Tokyo 2020, the skateboard has outlasted its critics to form a global community of creativity, camaraderie, and unceasing progression. Object Lessons is published in partnership with an essay series in The Atlantic.

Ride lays bare the harrowing beginnings and the tough life lessons learned by superstar John Buultjens on his rise to BMX Glory, Against All the Odds. Raised by his poor family on Glasgow's Drumchapel estate, he slept rough to escape his violent father's beatings. Placed in a children's home by his mother, he was then adopted by a bi-racial couple. After conquering his own racism, his life turned around, and the blockbuster movie E.T. inspired a love of BMX. Although spurred by bitterness, John's emigration to Australia saw him take his sporting enthusiasm to new levels, becoming one of BMX's biggest names. Then came the call from California to lead the most famous BMX brand of them all, Haro. As their global brand manager, he now backs and sponsors riders across the globe. Hollywood has since turned his unbelievable journey into a movie, set for release in November 2017. Here, John reveals inner secrets including family murders, hatred, sexual abuse - and how his white-knuckle ride has taken him to the top against all the odds.

'It wasn't a race but a war game' Bernard Hinault 'Without question, the hardest one-day bike race ever created' George Hincapie The Tour of Flanders - known to cycling fans as the Ronde - is the biggest one-day bike race in the world. It is a potent mix of grit, cobbles, steep climbs, narrow roads, national pride, beer, brutal weather and the maddest, most passionate fans in the sport. It's the Tour de France boiled down into a single day of non-stop action - the Belgian equivalent of the Grand National, Wimbledon and the FA Cup final. And there's yet more to it than that. Edward Pickering tells the story of the Tour of Flanders, its history, culture and meaning, through the prism of the 2011 Ronde, an incredible edition that was one of the most exciting bike races of the past half-century. He weaves the narrative of that day into a broader study of the race, with eyewitness accounts from the key locations of the Ronde and dozens of interviews with the riders. The Ronde is a textured portrait of a race, but it also explores the deep links between bike races and the landscape and culture in which they take place, and explains how cycling works, with the most detailed analysis of a single event ever seen.

n this beautifully illustrated guide to travelling across France by bike you will discover hidden lanes, stunning gorges, amazing places to eat and stay, plus the best of French cycling culture. This iconic journey of more than 1000 miles takes you through no fewer than 21 of France's regional departements and into some of the country's most striking and dramatic landscapes helping you to discover the true heart of rural France. Ride one section, follow a mini itinerary, or complete the entire challenge! Starting in St.Malo on the coast of Brittany the route winds its way through quiet lanes on the banks of rivers, through dramatic gorges and quintessentially French villages before reaching the dazzling glamour of Nice on the French Riviera. Beautifully illustrated maps, detailed directions and PDF downloads guide you along the route providing essential information and revealing the many hidden secrets of the area.

LOST LANES will take you on 36 meandering tours of the most beautiful and hidden destinations in southern England. The book includes: Route overviews, distances and maps Overnight stops, from B&Bs to camping under the stars Best pubs and tea stops Wild swims, breathtaking views and fascinating history How to access each ride by train (no car required!) So take off on a trip past hedgerows and open meadows, along sparkling rivers and wild seashores, and see it all from the best vantage point of all: that humble yet extraordinary transport of delight, the bicycle. MOBILE DEVICES & DOWNLOADS All the routes in this book are supported by downloadable route instructions you can print out take with you, plus a GPX navigation fi le for your GPS device or smartphone app. The book is also available as a smartphone app for Android and iPhone.

South East Mountain Biking - North and South Downs is the full second edition of the bestselling guide to some of the finest mountain biking in the South East of England. Published by leading guidebook producer Vertebrate Publishing, it covers the best mountain biking in the south-east, including the newly-formed South Downs National Park. Delve into the woodland singletrack of the North Downs or head out on to the big, rolling chalk hills that make up the South Downs National Park. Get out of the towns and cities and discover the dense network of bridleways and byways that criss-cross the countryside of the South East. This guide contains 24 routes between 16 and 35km in length, suitable for all levels of mountain bikers. All route information has been thoroughly checked for this new edition, to give the most up-to-date and comprehensive guidebook to the area. Written by Nick Cotton, author of over 50 cycling guidebooks, each route features clear and easy to use Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, details of distance, timings and difficulty gradings, refreshment stops and local knowledge, and stunning photography. Also included are Top Ten descents, climbs and mountain bike playgrounds, an introduction to the fantastic Surrey Hills singletrack, and a detailed Appendix.

San Francisco has an abundance of bike paths, roads, parks, and trails that provide a wonderful cycling experience for the entire family. Best Easy Bike Rides San Francisco includes concise descriptions and detailed maps for twenty easy-to-follow rides. Look inside for: One-hour rides to half-day adventures Rides for everyone, including families Mile-by-mile directions and clear trail maps Trail Finder for best rides for foliage, waterfalls, and great views GPS coordinates

Prepare to be entertained as legendary Eurosport cycling commentator Carlton Kirby shares his tales from the road, taking you behind the scenes of the world's greatest cycle races. 'A genuine one-off with a ready wit and a killer anecdote to hand at all times' Ian Cleverly, Rouleur 'Carlton Kirby is no ordinary cycling commentator, so it is not surprising that this very entertaining book is no ordinary Grand Tour on a bicycle. A very enjoyable journey for everyone' Phil Liggett MBE, NBC Tour de France commentator 'Carlton Kirby's infectious enthusiasm, wine tips and Shakespearean joy for inventing words makes every stage of a bike race a must-watch event' Matt Butler, i newspaper With a candid authority that comes from over 25 years commentating on the world's biggest cycling races, legendary Eurosport commentator Carlton Kirby isn't afraid to tell it like it really is. Witty, outrageous and often outspoken, Magic Spanner is an insider's view of life on cycling's Grand Tours, including the Tour de France, Giro D'Italia, Vuelta a Espana and the classics, all delivered in the inimitable style for which Carlton has become globally famous. Peppered with hilarious anecdotes of life on the road with Tour legend Sean Kelly, Carlton gives us an expert, behind-the-scenes view - one that the average fan rarely gets to see or hear about. As well as sharing his various bugbears (including crazy spectators in mankinis to the more serious issues of rider safety), Carlton also lifts the lid on team strategies, and delves into some of cycling's more questionable ethics. Delivering a mix of expert opinion and trademark wit, Carlton covers the funny, the serious and the more bizarre moments on the professional cycling caravan. This edition also includes Carlton's guide to watching bike racing - live at the roadside.

What does it take to become a road racing legend and compete in the toughest sport in the world? Go behind the scenes with the teams and riders at all the major tours and classics through the lens of world-class pro-cycling photographer, Kristof Ramon.

The Art of Suffering is about the human story of road racing, what it takes to go deep and be the best, and the awe-inspiring feats of endurance that make road cycling one of the most challenging, most legendary, most inspirational sports in the world.

From battling the elements and the terrain to epic climbs, crashes, injuries and recovery; personal sacrifices, pushing the body to the limit, training, winning, losing and long seasons on the road; featuring the domestiques, the star riders, the new talent and the legends - this book captures all the reasons why cycling fans passionately love their sport, taking them closer to the action and their favorite riders than any other book.

Carefully curated, thoughtfully designed and beautifully produced - The Art of Suffering is the ultimate gift for cycling fans and features a foreword by Wout van Aert, the subject of Ramon's cover photograph.

The Northeast provides some of the most exciting cycling in the United States: sweeping vistas, seaside towns, fall colors, and more. With this comprehensive guide, New Hampshire local David Sobel offers up rides in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. No matter the state, there's a ride here for everyone, with a range of mileage and difficulty level so both beginner and experienced cyclists can enjoy. Take in the scenery and stop for surf and turf on a moderate 17-mile trip through Mystic, Connecticut. Challenge yourself on hilly vistas and cool off in Cold River while biking Walpole, New Hampshire. Or take it easy while travelling back in time through Concord, Massachusetts. In addition to detailed directions, each route features annotated maps, charming photography, elevation profiles, and suggestions for entertainment and dining along the way. This is a must-have guide to discovering New England's hidden gems on two wheels.

From the earliest "velocipedes" through the advent of the pneumatic tire to the rise of modern road and track competition, this comprehensive history of the sport of bicycle racing traces its role in the development of bicycle technology between 1868 and 1903. Providing detailed technical information along with biographies of racers and other important personalities, the author examines the Golden Age of the bicycle as a precursor to the automobile industry.

Experience the Unparalleled Beauty of Lake Tahoe and Its Trail The Tahoe Rim Trail is a recreational paradise, taking hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians through three wilderness areas, as well as national forests and state park lands. It provides access to an incredible diversity of geology, flora, and fauna-and, of course, miles of unbeatable views of the area along the border of California and Nevada. The most important part of your trip is planning it. Author Tim Hauserman first hiked the complete Tahoe Rim Trail in 1999 and has since circumnavigated it three times. Put his expertise to use. Get the most from your time on the trail, and safely traverse a landscape rich in history and alive with nature. Tahoe Rim Trail presents the entire 165-mile trail (and dozens of side trips), divided into 8 sections. The new edition features: Updated maps and trail descriptions Information on difficulty, trail highlights, driving directions, and more Dozens of side trips and historical highlights Descriptions of the flora and fauna you will see Hundreds of tips for planning your excursion, whether it's a day hike or a backpacking adventure Specific guidance for mountain bikers, equestrians, and anglers Get the definitive resource for Lake Tahoe's crown jewel; it's endorsed by the Tahoe Rim Trail Association.