Move Over Tim Moore*: “An entertaining travelogue…

By Andrew on May 25, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

…that should have appeal to anyone who enjoys wry humour and good storytelling.”

The words of Richard Peploe in his review of Le Grand Tour… which has just been published on the Seven Day Cyclist website. But it gets better. A couple of years ago you may remember that I headed off down to London to meet up with one of the greats of cycle-touring literature, Mr Tim Moore. His publisher is a master of coming up with a catchy title for a book: French Revolutions, Gironimo, Vuelta Skelter to name but three. I wonder if a title such as ‘Le Grand Tour on a Bike Called Wanda‘ would have ever got further than the trash can; I was once told by an important person in the publishing world that the title ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ was one of the worst titles he had every seen! Anyway, I digress… Back to Tim Moore and back to Richard Peploe’s review:

“There are comparisons to be drawn with a better-known practitioner, Tim Moore, and with good reason: each has found a successful ‘formula’ that works for them, and it provides a certain familiarity as to what is on offer. As a result, it is highly likely that anyone who enjoys one of Sykes’ books would enjoy his others: I also feel that any fan of Moore’s work would feel right at home with Sykes’ oeuvre.”

Praise indeed! I’m somewhat flattered to be compared to Tim Moore. If only I didn’t have to turn up at the doors of a comprehensive school five days a week to earn my crust as a teacher. That’s not what Tim does. Perhaps one day… It’s also nice that Richard Peploe highlights something that I have been trying to persuade people of for many years:

“‘Le Grand Tour’ joins Sykes’ other three books in being an entertaining travelogue that should have appeal to anyone who enjoys wry humour and good storytelling: there’s little here to frighten off non-cyclists – although with luck they will realise that it’s only the use of a bike that makes the adventure what it is.”

Confirmation that Le Grand Tour… is indeed a book for all and not just those of us who call ourselves cyclists. A comment that is just as true for Tim Moore’s tomes as it is for mine (but read mine first…).

Read Richard Peploe’s full review on the Seven Day Cyclist website.

…BREAKING NEWS FROM JO HALFORD ON A CAMPSITE…

“I have just finished reading Le Grand Tour. I followed the posts and the blog and have seen the films and looked forward to the book for ages. I thought it would just be an enjoyable record of what I had already seen and read with no surprises. I was wrong. It is a really good read, funny (had me laughing out loud several times) with a great balance between the background of the places cycled through and the ups and downs of the journey. I love the way the book works on a day by day account, making each day travelled a mini adventure. Thank you Andrew. I am in awe of how you cycled those distances, made films, wrote a blog and facebook posts on the go and still wrote a book afterwards which makes the adventure so fresh.”

P.S. Le Grand Tour on a Bike Called Wanda is now available via the Waterstone’s website and the Foyle’s website: more information below.

Le Grand Tour on a Bike Called Wanda, was published in May 2024 and recounts Andrew P. Sykes’ journey around France, into the Alps and down the Rhine in the summer of 2022. It is available as a paperback and as and eBook from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com (and other international Amazon sites). The paperback is also available from Waterstones or Foyles and the eBook from Apple iBooks.

You can listening to the Tim Moore episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast by following this link.

(* For a few moments at least)

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