Le Grand Tour: Cycle Touring Done Right… Or Wrong?

By Andrew on June 15, 2024 • ( 1 Comment )

It was with a certain amount of trepidation that I started reading ‘Will Cycle’s’ review of Le Grand on a Bike Called Wanda. He had written kind words about my previous books. He might even be in the category of a ‘fan’. Yet his tweeted link to the review that he had written suggested that he had fallen out of favour with my take on cycle touring. Somewhat hesitantly, I followed the link…

A new post, in which I properly slate @cyclingeurope's style of cycle touring – or do I?
You'll have to find out for yourself, I guess!https://t.co/kVHma2nGuo
— 🚲 Will – @WilliamNB@toot.bike 🇿🇦🇬🇧 (@WilliamNB) June 4, 2024

I needn’t, of course, have worried. Here is an extract of what he had written:

“Cycle touring done wrong

Sykes and I have different views on how to go cycle touring. He has an extremely lackadaisical approach to route planning, he never goes wild camping, and – the worst of all – he relies on tourist paper maps, and even <gasp!> Google maps on his phone!

Cycle touring done right

On a serious note, there’s no right, or wrong way to do cycle touring, and while I got slightly exasperated at his route-finding methods, I must admit Sykes’ methods also meant he had additional, unplanned adventures. Add to that the fact that he goes on jealousy-inducing adventures, and I think it’s fair to say that his way of cycle touring works perfectly fine!

Sykes combined cycling with trains, and even a few ferries, during this adventure. He imposed a distance limit of 100km per train ride, and train ride limit of just ten train journeys. That, combined with a deadline to get back in time for the start of term (Sykes is a school teacher) creates a surprising sense of building urgency that makes a good story even better.”

Read the full review on WillCycle.com

I think he’s still a fan. Thanks Will for the positive comments about the latest book. The online reviews elsewhere continue to be very complimentary. Thanks if you have taken the time to submit your thoughts about the new book to Amazon or Apple:

In other news, and rather more controversially, I appeared in the motoring (yes, motoring!) section of The Yorkshire Post last weekend. I’ve only just seen the ‘My First Car’ piece. Perhaps the newspaper need to start a ‘My First Bicycle’ column as well.

Le Grand Tour On A Bike Called Wanda (2024)

…and keep those photos coming. The book does seem to be driving people to drink*:

*Please don’t read, drink and drive (your first, second or any car!)

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