Andrew
Slovakia: Day 5 In Words – Kosice
We have now left the High Tatras and are making our way back to the western edge of Slovakia and the capital Bratislava. The plan is that we will arrive in the late afternoon – at 16:07 to be precise – and stay on a floating hotel on […]
Slovakia: Day 5 In Pictures – Kosice
Slovakia: Day 4 In Words & Pictures
The reason I’ve been blogging about visiting France last week and being in Slovakia this week is three-fold. Firstly it gets me back into the travel writing mode and I’ll need to be be in that mode as from the 1st July for this summer’s big cycle along […]
Slovakia: Day 3 In Words & Pictures
A significant amount of climbing was involved in today’s mountain exploring but fortunately it was courtesy of cable cars rather than our own efforts. More of that in a moment. Last week I was contacted by a guy called Julian from the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF). He is […]
Slovakia: The View From 2,634m (Lomnicky Stit)
Slovakia: Day 2 In Words (And A Few More Pictures…)
When we initially planned this walking holiday in Slovakia I wasn’t quite sure what the weather would be like. Even as recently as last week I was assuming that a few layers (perhaps an extra one than normal) and my normal waterproof cycling jacket would suffice in this […]
Slovakia: Day 2 In Pictures
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Slovakia: Day 1
I have spent today wearing a pair of trousers that must rank as the most comfortable pair of trousers that I have ever worn in my life. I thought I’d share that with you. They are made by a company called Marmot and are made of a baggy […]
Travelling To Slovakia
From my door in Reading to the door of this flat in Tatranská Lomnica has taken over 24 hours but from Stansted airport very early morning the journey has only taken 10 hours, most of that on a train from the Slovakian capital Bratislava to the station at […]
Slovakia: The Basic Facts
So, my early Spring travels continue next week with a visit to Slovakia for some hiking (although more about that in a second). What do I know about Slovakia? Well, I know that physically it is a landlocked country with Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary […]
Ed Cox: John O’Groats To Lands End (And Then…)
Ed Cox has emailed: “As you may be aware, this Friday I am off on a not-so-warm-up cycle trip from John O’Groats to Lands End. This will be the prelude to my slightly bigger trip ‘Bristol2Brisbane’, testing all my gear, legs and logistics. I very much hope to use […]
More Notes From A Cross Channel Ferry
I’m at the annoying end of the cold. Not annoying in that it will soon be over with but annoying in that it is still spluttering erratically to an end. No doubt when I wake in the morning I will feel fine and an opportunity to take the […]
Le Mont St. Michel
Still ill…
Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial
Cold & shivery. That’s not just the weather by the way. It’s also me. Being ill is not great. Being away from home and being ill is bad timing. Being ill away from home when it’s freezing cold outside is annoying in the extreme. I’ve sniffed my way […]
Cabourg, Normandy
I’m a little bit worried. I’m cold and just a bit shivery. My legs are aching. This could mean one of several things. It could be that I am simply cold. I’ve not really had the chance to get a thoroughly warmed up all day what with being […]
Caen, Capital Of Basse Normandy
The fighting of 1944 inflicted severe damage upon Caen, the capital of Basse Normandy and the town where I am currently staying. Much of the central area is taken up with uninspiring architecture from the post war period. I knew all this by simply reading my Rough Guide […]
Eating Al Fresco In Northern France
I am aware that back in the UK it is currently very wintery but here on the other side of the channel…
Au Marché De Caen
A Day In Falaise
Now well into our second full day of the exchange. So far, no emergency phone calls from desperate teenagers demanding to go home early. It’s early days however… Yesterday was spent mainly in Falaise; the morning in classes at the collège, the afternoon wandering around the town. I […]
Rue Pierre Curie, Caen, France
Detente In Normandy
Just woken up on the first full day in France. Yesterday was a long but ultimately successful one. I managed to avoid the ferry quiz and we didn’t lose any of the children en route. What looked like a former prisoner transport vehicle came to pick up us […]
Notes From A Cross Channel Ferry
The Mont St. Michel to be specific, and a very quiet one at that. But a nice one and so far there are no English men in the bar knocking back pints of lager. Then again it is only 10.30am. There’s time yet… I’m off the bike for […]
Sony World Photography Awards
I’ll try and emulate some of these stunning photographs – see the full set on the BBC website – on my upcoming travels to France, Slovakia & then during this summer’s cycle along the Mediterranean coast. Amazing… More information on the World Photography Organisation website.
Celebrating The Tour De France In Yorkshire
Ian Street, fellow Yorkshireman, cyclist and writer has written the following piece for his website IntoThe Orchard. Ian is a man with ideas that need all the publicity they can get. Have a read and, as he says at the end of the article, contact him if you […]
Great Cycling Picture
If you know who I should credit for this, please do let me know. Posted on Twitter by @lbjwct. Update: Thanks to Ian (see comments below) I can credit the picture to Gary Perkin who took it back in 2009 at the ABSA Cape Epic. Epic indeed! See […]
Long-Distance Cycling Insurance: Problem Solved?
Insurance is on my mind. Most companies don’t insure bicycles and even if they do, most travel insurance comes with a limit set at 30 days maximum per trip. I need something more specialised for my two-month crossing of the continent with Reggie Ridgeback. And it’s here that […]
“La Route Du Sud A Vélo De Menton A Béziers”
A couple of publications have come my way in the last few days. The first is a cycling touring guide for the French portion of the Eurovelo 8 route in the south of France. The guide’s author, cyclist & teacher (sounds familiar) Daniel Jamrozik emailed me about its existence […]
One Man And His Bike… Meets Another Man And His Bike
A man decides that there is more to cycling than the daily commute. Somewhere in his forties, he is questioning the direction of the second half of his life. He needs a little time to think so he resolves to set off on his first long-distance cycling tour. As a naive touring cyclist […]
New Website: Eurovelo.com
Keep an eye on this; hopefully it will develop as the months go by… Update: A press release from the European Cyclists’ Federation reads as follows: “March 4, 2013 – Brussels, Belgium The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) has launched its cycling touring web platform,www.eurovelo.com, which provides a wealth […]
Blogging, Shopping & Dithering
I need to get back into the habit of blogging while on the move. Apart from this summer’s epic cycle (is it really ‘epic’ or is it just me trying to spin?), I’m off to France in just under three weeks with a small group of 15 year […]
Competition! Green Jersey French Cycling Tours
I met the owner of Green Jersey French Cycling Tours at the London Bike Show recently and this is the result! More details about the competition here.
Anjou Velo Vintage / Early Riser Festival
Here are a couple of events into which I am more than happy to funnel a little oxygen of publicity. The first is the Anjou Velo Vintage taking place in the Loire Valley town of Saumur in June. Way back in the summer of 1993 I spent about […]
Albania: Gav McDonald’s Story
Albania remains the mysterious part of my trip along the Eurovelo 8 from Greece to Portugal and I am fascinated by the stories of those who have cycled through the country. I met a chap called Gav McDonald recently at the London Bike Show. On his company website […]
“Brilliant” 5*
“Sometimes when you read the endorsements on a book you wonder if they can possibly be true. Have a good look at the back cover of Good Vibrations if you get chance & I guarantee they’re 100% accurate. The book is a very easy, compelling read. The author […]
“Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe On A Bike Called Reggie” At Waterstone’s
Don’t panic! Temporarily out of stock at Amazon, remember that you can pick up a copy of Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie at any of the following Waterstone’s stores (Mr Palin picked up his copy in Reading Broad Street by the way…): ABERDEEN UNION […]
Keen ‘Arroyo Pedal’ Cycling Shoes
Here’s the description from the Keen website: “From bike to trail and back again, the versatile, breathable Arroyo Pedal will take you where you want to go. Combining the best elements of a bike shoe, trail shoe and a sandal, this all-terrain wonder features waterproof nubuck leather, a […]
And The Winners Are…
To help celebrate passing the milestone of 5,000 copies of Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie, I asked people on Twitter & Facebook to nominate people or causes who might benefit from receiving a complimentary copy of the book. I had quite a few nominations and thanks […]
Thanks, From Andrew (And A Bike Called Reggie)
Dear friends Earlier this weekend my book ‘Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie’ sold its 5,000th copy and I’d like to use this milestone to take the opportunity of saying a heart-felt ‘thanks’ to all of you. Written following a six-week cycle from my home in southern […]
Boktips From Sweden @velonavia #cycling
Mentions of my book on far-flung websites are always intriguing to read; the thought that someone far off is absorbed in reading about my little journey across Europe is as delightful as it is curious. Even more so when they are not written in English. This has been […]
Cycle Tramps… From Calderdale
I received a message this week on the Facebook page from Neola Kay Wilby; “I’ve just been looking at your route for the summer. My boyfriend and I will be cycling from northern Spain to Croatia then to Romania, cross through Germany, Amsterdam and back home! We’re doing it over […]
New Review! “An Inspirational Read” ****
“A few summers ago I stumbled upon Andrew’s blog when he was about a week into his journey. Each morning after that my habitual early start at my desk with coffee in hand was one hell of a lot more interesting having the anticipation of wanting to know […]
Le Tour De Calderdale?
On watching the video below your first reaction may be ‘hasn’t the person behind the camera got better things to do with their time on a cold, snowy day in the north of England?‘. It is a film of a journey through Calderdale in West Yorkshire but not […]
European Adventures With Teenagers, Bears & Avalanches
Regular readers of this blog will no doubt be aware that on the 1st July I set off from Greece in the direction of Portugal on my bike. My mission is two-fold. Firstly because I want to. Secondly because I will write my second book about the trip. […]
“An Excellent Read” ****
“I thought this book may maybe a bit boring considering I have recently read several cycling travel books of people travelling around the World. But in fact it was a very good read mainly due to the writer’s skill of making even the most mundane day sound interesting. […]
“What’s The EU Ever Done For Us?”
The following letter appeared in The Guardian on 12th January. It’s worth a read in light of today’s speech from David Cameron: “At last we may get a debate on Britain’s relationship with Europe (Leader, 11 January). What did the EEC/EU ever do for us? Not much, apart from: providing […]
Cycling Through Red Lights – The Facts?
The info-graphic below comes from GLUE. It gave me reason to reflect upon my own experiences as a driver in London during the Olympic Games last summer. Following my temporary transfer from cyclist to Gamesmaker driver (I don’t own a car so am almost 100% of the time […]
The London Bike Show In Pictures #cycling
Cycling In The Snow, The Film
The Tour De France 2014 In… Elland: Full Route
Not only is the Tour de France 2014 coning to my home county of Yorkshire, it will be passing through the town of my childhood, the place where my parents, brother & his family still live! Stage 2, Elland. More details on the Visit Yorkshire website & the date […]
“A Must Read For Cyclists And Travellers, Real Or Armchair Alike”
“Just finished [Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie]! A thoroughly delightful book that simply lifts the spirit and creates the urge to travel. A must read for cyclists and travellers, real or armchair, alike. One of those rare books that you just wish would last […]
One Direction To Willie Weir
I hear that One Direction are doing quite well in the USA. Well, they are not the only ones to be getting rave reviews from our Americain cousins; Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie has just recieved its fourth positive review on Amazon.com (to complement […]
The New ‘New Europe’: The Balkans
I’ll be cycling through Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia next summer along the route of the Eurovelo 8. I was sent in the direction of this video by an extremely helpful employee of the Montenegro tourist board. It really does make you think again…
Reggie The Bike, By The Canal
Mobile blogging comes of age. Let’s see if it all works seamlessly. Keep your fingers crossed. The photos were taken by the camera and uploaded to the iPad mini via a special adapter for SD cards. The iPad is tethered to the mobile phone 3G signal here is […]
The Library At Picnic Café, Reading
If you’d like to have a read before you buy, visit Picnic Café in Butter Market, Reading as they’ve just added a familiar title to their eclectic library of books (alongside ‘A Feast of [Keith] Floyd’ & Hervé Moran’s accomplished tome ‘The Genius of French Poster Art’). Take […]
The iPad Mini & En Route Communication
When I cycled along the Eurovelo 5 back in 2010, I typed out every blog post (30,000 words in total) over the course of the five week trip on my iPhone. It may be why, over the last few years, I feel that my eye sight has begun […]
Welcome To 2013 & The Eurovelo 8
In exactly 6 months’ time I will be in Athens, or somewhere near Athens. My bike will have been reassembled after its flight from London, my panniers packed with equipment, clothes & supplies & my mind no doubt full of excitement and anxiety as to what the subsequent […]
Happy New Year 2013!
It should be an interesting one…
“A Vibrant Travel Book With Culture & History Alongside Cheerful Banter.”
This is a nice post with which to bring 2012 to a close. Alex Pavitt has written a review for Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie for his website (which is well worth a visit!): “Feeling inspired from the amazing feats of the Great Britain team […]
The Good Vibes Of Christmas
‘Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ seems to have come of age this Christmas. It was a real delight for many who received the book as a present on the 25th to send a picture. Here is a montage of the photos that I received. […]
Huddersfield Town 1, Blackpool 1
For a full match report visit a site that doesn’t have ‘cycling’ in the title… I am partial to a bit of photography however and these are the shots I took yesterday from seat AA 66;
South To North For Christmas
Cycling To Work: A Tale Of Four Months
Green is above average, red is below. Interesting to see how I warmed up after the summer off the bike in September, peaked in October & November & then slowed down in December as the conditions on the at times icy roads made cycling more difficult… On […]
In Praise Of… Sheffield
Sheffield is a city that, on occasions, I pass through or pass by. A dot on the map between The South (where I live) to The North (where I come from and now visit two or three times a year). When I pass by it is on the […]
Tour De France 2014 : Grand Départ Dans Le Yorkshire
This is the official announcement from the Tour de France website: “Les organisateurs du Tour de France ont le plaisir d’annoncer que le Grand Départ du Tour de France 2014 aura lieu au Royaume-Uni, dans le comté du Yorkshire, avant une arrivée d’étape à Londres. Après une année 2012 exceptionnelle […]
What Is Bicycle Travel?
Spotted on the Adventure Cycling Association website & originally from The Path Less Pedaled website…
“Don’t Let the EU Parliament Ignore 100 Million Cyclists”
Here’s an urgent message from the European Cyclists’ Federation (the ECF) which I support whole-heartedly! “There are 35 million daily cyclists in Europe. There are more than 100 million Europeans who cycle regularly. Yet the European Institutions are failing to take cycling seriously as a mode of Transport. […]
“Cyclist: The Thrill Of The Ride”
Looks like a great road. Details of the magazine on their website & Facebook page.
A Photograph Of A Gate
Last Thursday was very cold. Especially in the middle of the Oxfordshire countryside which is just where I happened to be at about 7.30am as I made my way from my flat in Reading to work on the outskirts of Henley-on-Thames. My route is an up and down […]
Festival Du Voyage A Vélo 2013, Paris
“Best Cycle Touring Book I Have Read” 5*
“The author has managed to convey the real joy of long distance cycling. I found his style of writing just made me want to keep turning the pages. His self-deprecating approach and dry, delightful wit are a joy. Read this; you will enjoy.” Dalesbloke “An excellent book, written in […]
The Florence Bike Festival: 1st-3rd March 2013
“Tutti le emozioni della bici” The Florence Bike Festival.
Waterstone’s: Updated Availability of ‘Good Vibrations’
Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie has gone legit! Well, it was never not so but it is increasingly available on the shelves of your local book shop. Below is the updated list of availability in Waterstone’s (and there are more to come). There is […]
Nightrider™ – A 100km Bike Ride Around London At Night
I recently exchanged a few tweets with Gemma Hume from London who works for a charity called Practical Action. She also happens to be a cyclist and in aid of her charity she is mixing business & pleasure by organising a charity bike ride. It’s called ‘Nightrider’ and what […]
‘First’: The Official Film Of The London 2012 Olympic Games
“EuroVelo: Fund It To Finish It”
From the website of the European Cyclists’ Federation: “This month a decision will be made to include EuroVelo in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). If included, this would mean billions in funding, and make a major contribution towards the completion of the remaining sections of the network. EuroVelo […]
Bicycle Traveler Magazine – November 2012
The latest edition of this mouth-wateringly adventurous cycling magazine is out now! The highlights of the November issue are… “Cycling the Americas Cass Gilbert reflects on bicycling, travel and the final destination. Ian Hibell An interview with a bicycle touring legend. French Alps Inspirational photography from Kees Swart […]
“Simplicity Is The Key To Successful Living”
Nick Dewar
Thank-you!
You did it! Just after midnight last night I sent £202 to BBC Children In Need thanks to all the people who downloaded the Kindle version of ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ in the first two weeks of November. Thanks if you were one of them. […]
Extreme Cycling, Mexican Style: Amazing & Terrifying!
Here’s a bit of cycling from Central America… “In this footage filmed from a camera mounted on a rider’s helmet, we see race winner Brendan Fairclough’s hair-rasing descent through the narrow streets of Taxco in Mexico. Taking part in the Taxco urban downhill, Fairclough races down steep stairs, […]
‘Crossing Europe On A Bike Called Reggie’: The CTC Review
Eurovelo 8: Italy Into France
‘Pieman Pete’ has a few suggestions; “I was looking at the Italia routes you mention… I have climbed Tende (on the south route) and it is a relatively gentle climb until the last 10km. I have been up it a few times (see Flickr photo) and is definitely […]
‘Crossing Europe On A Bike Called Reggie’
A Message From The Editor Of The Times
Dear Reader A year ago, a journalist at The Times was very seriously injured while cycling to work. Mary Bowers, a much loved and hugely talented reporter, survived the accident but is only minimally conscious and is still recovering in hospital. We make no apology for having begun a campaign […]
The $20 Cardboard Bike!
Yes, it is true. Here’s the report in today’s Telegraph.
The Eurovelo 8 In Italy
I’ve received an email from Giulia of the Italian national cycling organisation, FIAB. I had emailed her asking about possible contact that may be of use when I cross the north of Italy from Slovenia in the east to France in the west. More on that at a […]
In Praise Of… Winchester
Spent a day walking with a friend yesterday in Winchester. Had never been there before but I probably will again…
“Crossing Europe On A Bike Called Reggie”: £1.53 “Children In Need” Offer
Dear friends, Welcome to November! You’ve all be amazingly supportive over the last fifteen months since ‘Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ was first published back in August 2011. A budding author could not have asked for more help, advice & encouragement. The last week […]
“Crossing Europe On A Bike Called Reggie” (Minus Vibrations)
The vibrations, despite being good, have been banned by Amazon… I’ll post the full story on here by the end of the week. In the meantime, here is the tweaked cover of the Kindle version of the book. All other versions (paperback, Apple iStore, Waterstone’s, Kobo, WHSmith, Lulu…) […]
New Radio Show: BeSpoke
“Colin Murray presents a new series on cycling, with the latest news and interviews from the sport as well as a look at cycling leisure and lifestyle.” Here’s the iPlayer link…
Cycling Meets Expressive Arts: Spoke ‘N’ Chain
Kevin Dennis has been in touch: Hello Andrew, We are Spoke ‘n’ Chain, a creative bicycle arts team that came to being in 2009 in Bristol, and discovered both the Eurovelo routes and Kamishibai this year. We are currently developing our workshop and performance techniques and rigging a Yuba bicycle in […]
The 100th Tour De France (2013)
On the very same weekend that I prepare to head off from Athens along the Mediterranean coast towards the south-western point of Portugal, the 100th Tour de France sets off from Corsica…
Eurovelo 8: Preparation Gets Serious!
(There doesn’t appear to be a Rough Guide to Albania)
Cycling Through Albania: Tim’s Story
A couple of weeks’ ago I posted some comments from Tim about cycling through Albania. I asked him for more details on his own cycle through this lesser-known European country and he has kindly obliged: The main reason I wanted to get in contact was because I was […]
Good Vibrations: “Not Just For Cyclists” 5*
“Some travel writers have the dubious talent of turning a fascinating journey into a dull book. Andrew Sykes is no such writer so his book will appeal to cyclists and non-cyclists alike. As well as the things he sees and does Andrew describes his motivations for undertaking the […]
Martyn Ashton – Road Bike Party
3.6 million people have watched Martyn Ashton’s video on YouTube so this is something many of you may have already seen but it is worth watching again. Amazing… & just a little bit scary. One of the best things about it is Martyn Ashton’s age; he is very […]
Good Vibrations: “A Wonderful Read That I Wholeheartedly Recommend To Anybody”
Will from Devon has reviewed Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie for his website WillCycle; “No, sadly this post isn’t about a forthcoming long-distance cycling holiday. Instead, it is about a book I recently read. I’ve never done a book review before, so forgive me if […]
