There is historical precedent for a book that uses roads to inflict pain on people throughout Highland Scotland. Thanks to the various Jacobite Rebellions between 1688 and 1746 the British Government embarked on an unparalleled programme of road building to enable their troops to quickly cross the length and breadth of the land in order to quell unrest and control unruly clansmen. Under the direction of Generals Wade and Caufield, 1100 miles of roads were constructed in less than fifty years. Inevitably, almost as quickly as they covered the miles in distance, these roads racked up the metres in altitude, as they clambered their way to the lowest point or easiest route through the bealachs that connect the Highland glens that dissect the mountains of Scotland. Following on from A Cyclists' Guide to Hillclimbs on Scottish Lowland Roads, this volume by John H McKendrick features 40 of the best road climbs in the north of the country, many of them on the old military roads. As well as established classics like the Cairn o'Mount, The Lecht, Bealach Ratagan and, of course, the legendary Belach na Ba, there are some lesser-known gems and unusual challenges to keep the adventurous roadie on their toes.

This guidebook describes 21 mountain biking routes in central and southern Scotland. It includes the 7stanes trail centre in Dumfries and Galloway, as well as cross-country routes in the Campsie Fells, Pentland Hills and Lammermuirs, the Galloway Forest, Tweed Valley, Cheviots and Lowther Hills. The routes range from 17 to 66km and are graded from moderate to very hard. Taking between 2 and 7 hours to complete, they are intended for reasonably fit mountain bikers with at least some experience. Detailed route descriptions are accompanied by 1:50,000 OS mapping, and the selected routes set out from various points across the area, including Greenock, Glentrool, Peebles and Milngavie, with good access from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. The guidebook also gives an overview of what the region's MTB trail centres have to offer, including the famous 7stanes trail centre, along with advice on equipment, maintenance and safety. Southern and Central Scotland is renowned for its superlative MTB trail centres, but the region's rolling hill country is also traversed by an extensive network of tracks, paths, forest roads and other trails providing endless possibilities for 'free range' mountain biking.

Veloscenic is one of France's most popular long-distance cycle routes. It links Paris via Versailles, Chartres and Alencon, to the incredible Mont St-Michel. It also takes in some of northern France's finest scenery, passing through the Chevreuse Valley, the Perche, Normandy Maine and the Bocage Normand. Following numerous traffic-free trails and many miles of quiet, rural roads it let's you enjoy four UNESCO World Heritage sites and three regional nature parks. This guide includes all you need to enjoy the route to the full; maps, directions, alternative route options, what to see, accommodation and much more.

Biking inspires millions of people around the world, with an ever-growing fan base. With some 200 colour and black-and-white photographs, Icons of Cycling captures the thrill and fascination of this sport on two wheels. Compiling the work of some of the best cycling photographers, the book breathes the spirit of cycling - as close and emotional as if the viewer were part of the race. Discover extraordinary shots of the peloton winding along alpine serpentines; exhausted athletes at the end of a stage; and unknown heroes from the team behind the team. A microcosm of ambition and passion, pain and glory, this is both a photographic artwork and a contemporary document of a thriving sport. A cherished collector's item for every cycle enthusiast.

The 1061km Loire Cycle Route starts at the source of the River Loire in the Massif Central mountains of central France and finishes at the Atlantic opposite St Nazaire. It descends past extinct volcanoes, crater lakes and deep gorges before joining EuroVelo route 6, followed by the fully waymarked Loire a Velo, France's most popular cycle trail. Following the river downstream in 26 stages, the route is generally downhill or level, often on dedicated traffic-free cycle tracks. Packed with a wealth of useful information - from practical planning advice to fascinating insights about the river and its surroundings - the guidebook features detailed route descriptions and informative mapping. Details of facilities and places to stay, and a French glossary, are also included. The route goes through the heart of France as the Loire becomes the royal river, bounded by extravagant chateaux, fields of Charolais cattle and vineyards. It passes through historic cities like Orleans and Tours, continuing past Angers and France's fourth largest city Nantes to finish on the Atlantic coast.

1001 Cycling Tips by Hannah Reynolds is a light-hearted and informative guide to all kinds of cycling. This is no standard instruction manual - it is much more useful than that. This is a huge collection of small tips to make a real difference to your cycling, whether you're into road cycling, mountain biking, have an ebike, gravel bike or commute to work on your bike - this book will take you through everything you need to know. The vast range of topics covered includes everything from choosing your bike, the essential kit and clothing you'll need and navigation to fitness, nutrition, bike maintenance at home and on the road, and travelling with your bike. Hannah's no-nonsense advice and vast knowledge base will ensure that you have the right tools to enjoy your cycling and achieve your goals, whether you want to race, climb huge mountains or enjoy days out on two wheels with the family.

This guidebook covers 20 mountain biking routes set throughout the length and breadth of the North Downs, from Farnham in the west to Dover in the east, as well as a route along the Downs Link, which joins the North Downs Way with the South Downs Way. They range from 18.5km to 59km in length and up to 90% off road. The routes, illustrated with OS map extracts and height profiles, are graded for difficulty (blue, red and black) and are suitable for mountain bikers with at least some experience and a reasonable degree of fitness. The guide gives practical information on recommended gear, preparation and safety, as well as details of accommodation and local bike shops.

When UK Sport removed funding for women's BMX, Bethany Shriever's dream of Olympic glory seemed shattered. Throw in the impact of a broken leg sustained in childhood, plus an untimely arm injury weeks before the final Olympic qualification event, and few would have thought the 22-year-old would be on the plane to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, let alone the podium. And with the uncertainty caused by a global pandemic, the external pressures on Beth were intense and pervasive. However, the BMX racer from Essex is made of stern stuff and, perhaps just as importantly, so are the team around her. From her deeply involved family, to her dedicated coaching team, to her friends within the BMX community, Beth's story recognises the team behind an athlete. This compelling tale of triumph over adversity reveals how the power of belief overcame the obstacles that threatened to derail Bethany's dreams of becoming the best ever female BMX racer.

Pennine Bridleway is a guidebook to this National Trail taking you on a multi-day off-road cycling adventure from Derbyshire through the Yorkshire Dales to Cumbria, following the Pennine Hills. This big ride is split into four sections; each section includes detailed directions as well as information on points of interest along the route, bringing the history and landscape of the trail into context. There are also three loops, including the Mary Towneley Loop, which can be tackled separately or as part of the main trail. The guidebook is illustrated throughout with stunning action photography by professional photographer Joolze Dymond. Researched, ridden and written by mountain biking expert and freelance writer Hannah Collingridge, this guidebook features clear and easy to use Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, details of distance, ascent and difficulty gradings, bikepacking hints and tips and local knowledge. There is also a comprehensive Introduction and a detailed Appendix, and a link to downloadable GPX files.

This guidebook explores 20 sportive cycling routes in the best cycling areas of south west England. Ideal for training, the rides range between 59 and 119km (36 to 74 miles) in length, and offer a full range of challenges; from long, fast flat routes, perfect for pacing, to tough hill climbs on the Downs and Moors of the south west. The 20 sportive routes are found in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, as far north and east as the Wye Valley and Swindon. The range ensures that there is plenty of riding to be found, throughout the region, not to mention the companion Sportives guidebook to routes in England's south east. From the Cotswolds, to Dartmoor, Exmoor, Bodmin Moor, into Wales and the south coast, there are miles of of cycle-friendly roads suitable for sportive training. All 20 routes are graded for difficulty and include timings, ascent, food-stops and access information, as well as annotated route maps and clear route descriptions. Sportive cycling is a growing sport, and this guide provides routes for experienced riders and those new to this sport. Useful information on bike maintenance and equipment, to travelling around the areas with your bike and advice on accommodation is also included. The result is a sportive guidebook that will prepare you for the challenges ahead, and allow you to explore the best cycling the south-west has to offer.

Lake District Mountain Biking - Essential Trails is the full third edition of the bestselling guide to some of the finest mountain bike riding in the UK. Featured are over 20 of the best mountain bike rides in the Lake District, between 12 and 60 kilometres in length, suitable for all levels of mountain bikers. Explore classic rides around Walna Scar, High Street and Borrowdale, and discover several lesser-known gems. Ride moorland singletrack, tackle massive climbs and rattle along some of the rockiest trails you'll ever encounter on two wheels. Enjoy lakeside cruises, picturesque valleys and 360-degree panoramas. Researched, ridden and written by local riders Richard Staton and Chris Gore, 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; and refreshment stops and local knowledge. A Bonus Section includes information about the man-made trails at Whinlatter and Grizedale, Top Tens and a detailed Appendix. Also includes downloadable GPX files.

Bikepacking England by Emma Kingston contains 20 great multi-day mountain bike adventures across England. Explore ancient holloways and hunt for fossils in Bridport and the Jurassic Coast, tackle the stiff climbs and spectacular singletrack of the Dark Peak, discover stunning coastal scenery on the Isle of Man or Exmoor or traverse the rolling countryside around the Ridgeway and Chilterns - every corner of England has a different experience to offer. Each route includes all the information you need to help you plan your ride, 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, including optional routes and shortcuts. 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, including lots of information on wild camping. Let Bikepacking England inspire you to get out there on your bike with your tent and enjoy the best bikepacking adventures that England has to offer.

A 100,000 scale detailed road cycle map for North Costa Blanca (the coastal zone and mountains around Denia, Xabia/Javea, Moraira, Calpe, Altea & Benidorm). Easy cycle route planning with road classifications, distance markers between key junctions, top climbs, spot heights and relief representation. Includes 11 classic route suggestions that pass through valleys, go high up into the mountains, visit unspoilt villages and towns and meander along the coast. Features over 60 top climbs marked on the map with details of gradient, ascent and length (Coll de Rates, Port de Tudons, Confrides, Cumbre del Sol, Port de Bernia, Miserat, Vall d'Ebo, Coll de la Garga, and many more). Some of the key inland towns on the map include Tarbena, Castell de Castells, Xalo/Jalon, Pego, Villalonga, Sella, Guadalest, L'Orxa, Benifallim, Planes, Muro de Alcoy). The map is printed on tough and waterproof paper.

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

The Cycling Bible by renowned cycling author and journalist Chris Sidwells is a comprehensive guide to help you get the most out of cycling, whether you go road cycling, gravel riding, mountain biking or enjoy any other kind of two-wheeled fun. Based on the author's extensive experience and research, this book collates the knowledge you will need to specifically train for the technical, physical and mental aspects of cycling training. It includes riding positions, strength and conditioning, endurance training, the psychological side of training, tailoring nutrition to your goals and bringing it all together to create your own training plan. It also deals with choosing the right bike for you, making essential safety checks and carrying out maintenance. Extensively illustrated and packed full of action photos, The Cycling Bible will help and motivate you to improve and develop as a cyclist and find even more joy in this fantastic sport.

The next map in the Cycle Maps UK series covers the city of Edinburgh and the area to the south. The maps are all produced at a scale of 1:100 000 showing important features including the National cycle Network. Sections on road, off road and traffic free are all shown in differing colours along with their route number. Other roads and their classification are shown enabling you to link rides or explore sections and discover new routes at home or further afield. Facilities such as toilets, pubs, accommodation, bike shops, repair stations and railway stations are all shown. The mapping also has relief shading giving you a clear picture of the terrain (and steepness of any hills) you will encounter. Scale: 100 000 (10mm = 1 Km, 16mm = 1 Mile) Folded size: 163mm x 105mm Unfolded: 650mm x 800mm Tear and water-resistant paper Double sided

The Official History of the Tour de France – fully revised and updated for 2023 – is a celebration of one of the greatest annual sporting events, and the premier competition in world cycling. Through more than 300 photographs, rarely seen documents and items of memorabilia, this book covers more than a century of fascinating stories about the Tour and its iconic yellow jersey. This revised and updated edition includes an authoritative narrative account of each major era, up to and including the thrilling 2022 Tour. There are features on superstar cyclists and memorable moments from each period of the event's rich history, plus a foreword from legendary Tour de France champion Bernard Hinault. This is the definitive illustrated book on the Tour.

Why did Reg Harris want to become a professional road racer? Why did Britain's top time-triallist sit on a dustbin to annoy the RTTC? Why did Jacques Anquetil want to put the British '25' record on the shelf for three decades? And what stopped British cycling being as great as it could have been? How could people passionate about bike-racing, and dedicated to the sport they loved, have made sure that it never became a major sport in Britain, and that British cycling never became a force in the world? This Island Race has the answers and all the fascinating anecdotes and insights that go with them. It tells of blood on the carpet, of lifelong feuds and personal animosities, and of the fear, jealousies and suspicion that have riddled British cycling from the days of the penny-farthing. It could almost be a crime novel. But this is British cycling - seen from the inside. Les Woodland has spent a lifetime in cycling as an organiser, coach and writer - in Britain, in Flanders and now in France. That, and a passion for the history of the sport, have given him an unusual insight into the dusty corners of British and world cycling. His books have been published across the world and in numerous languages.

Yorkshire Dales Mountain Biking features 26 rides between 10 and 43 kilometres in length in one of the UK's most MTB-friendly national parks. The routes make the most of the Dales' superb network of stone-based trails, rideable in all seasons. Classic loops take in the best of Swaledale, a tour of Ingleborough, big days around Whernside and Pen-y-ghent, quintessential Dales scenery near Malham and Kilnsey, and moorland riding above Pateley Bridge. A Bonus Section includes information about the Howgills, the easy-going Swale Trail and the Pennine Bridleway, as well as the riding at Gisburn Forest and Stainburn which lies just outside the national park. There are also top tens and a detailed appendix. Written by Dales local and experienced author Nick Cotton, each ride is described with easy-to-follow directions and is plotted on clear and easy-to-use Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 mapping. Also included with each ride are details of distance, timings and difficulty gradings, plus refreshment stops and local knowledge.

•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.

Sheffielder Tony Hewson is a former champion racing cyclist who won the 1955 Tour of Britain and went on to represent his country in the Warsaw - Berlin - Prague and the Tour de France. His first book, "In Pursuit of Stardom", was a widely acclaimed memoir of the 1950s telling how he and his companions faced handicap and privation in their struggle to earn a living a-wheel on the European continent. "A Cyclist's Worst Nightmare" covers a similar time-scope, though as a collection of individual but interrelated stories it employs a variety of different literary genres - autobiography, biography, discourse and fiction. Whilst each piece can be enjoyed in its own right, the work as a whole casts light on an era of UK cycling history in the aftermath of World War II that until now has been somewhat neglected and forgotten. Some events, for example the tumultuous birth and demise of the rebel British League of Racing Cyclists that split the sport and framed its future, have ramifications to this day. From foul-mouthed Jean Robic ('I haven't enough enemies!') to aggressive Korean war-veteran Reg ('Heroes we were - fat thanks we get.') via bullied national service 'nutter' Michael ('a queer boy wi' them fancy togs n' that weird show-off bike'), the mood is one of a shared sense of grievance from real and imagined characters who see themselves as put-upons in search of recognition. The theme of the social outsider will ring bells with any reader who has ever been a committed cyclist in the British Isles, and will also be of interest to many who have not.

Unlock your cycling potential with yoga. Striving for stamina, power and speed can take its toll on the cyclist’s body. Yoga is the ideal cycling companion to relieve the repetitive strains of riding, helping to ease tight muscles, increase mobility and reduce chances of injury. In this new edition of the bestselling title, learn how to use yoga to optimise your recovery, ride tension-free and enhance your performance. A specialist in yoga for cycling, Lexie Williamson guides you through tried-and-tested poses and mobility drills so you can: · gain a supple back, hips and hamstrings · adopt a stronger aerodynamic position through riding-specific core moves · develop efficient breathing and build a mind-body connection · recover more efficiently with restorative yoga practices Functional and accessible, Yoga for Cyclists adapts yoga techniques for modern cyclists of all levels, making it suitable for everyone from the beginner to the Tour de France-hopeful. By following step-by-step sequences, from quick hip releases to extended post-ride sessions, you’ll discover how the power of yoga can transform your cycling. ‘Handy for both beginners and pros... leaves no stone unturned.’ – Women’s Fitness 'A genuinely useful guide that will soon have tattered edges through use.' – Road.cc

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.

The Tour de France began as a newspaper publicity stunt designed to do down a rival sports paper: a circumnavigation of the whole country in six colossal stages would make it the longest, hardest, most heroic cycle-race possible, and thereby seize the public's imagination. The organisers of that first Tour in 1903 could scarcely have foreseen just how fervently the race would grip the nation, still less that they were establishing what was to become the world's greatest - and certainly, toughest - annual sporting event. Every July since 1903, interrupted only by world wars, the finest cyclists have assembled to ride the 2,500 miles of La Grande Boucle. Simply to complete a Tour de France is the ambition of every professional cyclist - and to wear the legendary yellow jersey, if only for a day, is a special honour. Golden Stages, first published in 2003 to celebrate the centenary of the Tour, is now republished, with eight additional chapters, to coincide with the 100th Tour. Each writer has selected and told the story of a particular Stage to examine what it is that makes the Tour such a majestic and moving event, beginning with the first stage of the first Tour in 1903, and ending with that stage in 2012 when Bradley Wiggins effectively secured the first overall win by a British rider. Their accounts show how much has changed in the 100 years - the bicycles, the roads, tactics and organisation. But they also show what has not changed - the extravagant scale of the race, the mystique of the maillot jaune, and the courage of all who compete. Those things have remained the same, and they are vividly portrayed here. This second edition does not ignore the dark period the Tour has gone through in the years since 2003; these are addressed in the new Introduction.