Coming To A School Near You?
Now available to book via School Speakers:
The Three Books… 11.5.17
Cycle Touring Festival 2017
Welcome to 2017… and what an exciting year it should be. The new book – Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie – is out on May 11th and during April, May, June and beyond I’ll be up and down the country talking about the journey from […]
2016: Could Do Better?
Mmm… A year that will go down in history for the wrong reasons although a year that, compared to 1350 (Black Death in Europe), 1914 and 1939, one that may soon be forgotten. Sense will prevail in European politics (although it may have us wondering why we went out of […]
Happy Cycling Christmas!
‘Spain to Norway On a BIke Called Reggie’: The (Potential) Photos
Summersdale, the publishers of ‘Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie‘, have been in touch and, much to my delight, they would like to include some pictures in the new book. The absence of images from the first two books has been a complaint of many who have read […]
The UK Handmade Bicycle Show 2017, Bristol
If my tentative plan to cycle from the top to the bottom of Japan in the summer of 2018 ever comes to fruition, it would be nice to do it on a new touring bike (sorry Reggie…). It would be equally nice to pay a return visit to […]
‘Twas The Week Before Christmas…
Well, it was the week before the week before Christmas but that makes less of a catchy title. I’ve just returned home after a week on the road; a mixture of business and pleasure. This was the main event of the week: That’s the Britannia Royal Navy College […]
Tour De Yorkshire 2017
An email from Welcome to Yorkshire, organisers of the Tour de Yorkshire: STAGE 1 on Friday 28th April will start in Bridlington and finish in Scarborough – 173km STAGE 2 on Saturday 29th April will start in Tadcaster and finish in Harrogate – 122.5km STAGE 3 on Sunday […]
Eroica Britannia 16-18th June 2017
News of the Eroica Britannia 2017 from the organisers…. “New Location, Record Ticket Sales, Harder Ride Routes! Eroica Britannia, the award winning 3-day family Festival and the gruelling World famous Bike Ride has today announced record breaking ticket sales, since going on sale less than a week ago […]
Today’s Language Lesson: “Ironico E Sensibile… Linguisticamente Elegante”
The first review of the translation of ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ – ‘Attraverso l’Europe su una Bici di Nomme Reggie‘ – is in! “Ironico e sensibile, ma anche preciso e coraggioso senza apparire presuntuoso. Utilissima, per il lettore italiano, la visione del nostro Paese tramite gli […]
Yorkshireman Scales ‘Everest’ In Charity Cycling Challenge
By Susan Reid World-record holding cyclist Ben Wood of Cross Hills has completed another gruelling cycling challenge – riding just over the equivalent height of Mount Everest in 24 hours and succeeding in raising over £6,000 for Candlelighters as a tribute to his best friend’s son who is […]
Attraverso L’Europa Su Una Bici Di Nome Reggie (2016)
The Italian translation of ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie’ is now available to download as an eBook from Amazon, Apple iBooks and Kobo. «L’anno accademico doveva essere stato … Source: Attraverso L’Europa Su Una Bici Di Nome Reggie (2016)
Yorkshire Velo Tours: 2017 Programme
Here’s news about a local cycling business that is helping build Yorkshire’s reputation as a world-class cycling destination: “Proud Yorkshireman and cyclist with 25 years’ experience, Charles Oxtoby set up Yorkshire Velo Tours in 2015, largely on the back of the visit of the Tour de France to […]
The State Of Fitness Trackers 2016
By Max Wegner Wearables or wearable technology devices are electronic gadgets that are designed to be easily and conveniently worn on the body. This technology typically offers scanning and sensory capability such as tracking of physiological function or biofeedback. A range of such devices can be seen on the […]
Breaking News: Attraverso L’Europa Su Una Bici Di Nome Reggie
Did any of you see that my new book was published earlier this week? What? No? After all that hard toil along Europe’s cycle paths and effort invested at my computer in putting the story of a trans-continental cycle ride down on paper and you didn’t even notice? My marketing skills must […]
Countrywise: Cycling The Calder Valley, Yorkshire
If you can get past Ben Fogle’s mis-pronunciation of ‘Sowerby’ (in fairness, only locals like me will spot that he is sounding the silent ‘w’), here’s an interesting watch on the ITV Hub which is available until the end of November (2016 that is if you happen to have […]
Calling Berkshire And Cornwall…
If you are near Reading on Monday 12th December or Portreath on Tuesday 13th December and would like to hear me speak about travelling from Tarifa to Nordkapp, this might be for you: Both events are FREE(!) and open to the public and both have Facebook ‘event pages’: […]
The Cannondale CAADX 105 (2017) / aka’Dale’: Update
Under a rather gloomy sky, I took the new bike out for a proper spin yesterday – 55km – across all kinds of terrain. The observant of you will note the saddle has been changed – I bought a standard black Brooks earlier in the week – and […]
‘Spain To Norway On A Bike Called Reggie’: The Book (And The Speaking Tour…)
There has been a drip, drip… of information about the new book in recent weeks but I’m finally in a position to confirm the details in full. As you are probably aware, the book will be published by Summersdale next year. The date for publication has been set […]
Breaking Publishing News: Thursday 11th May 2017 Just Got Interesting…
I’ve triple checked and my diary is empty… Apart from the publication of STNOABCR (that’s ‘Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie‘…) by Summersdale! Available in all good bookshops (as well as a few rubbish ones). One day it might even be added to this list. Perhaps. […]
Introducing Dale, The Cannondale CAADX 105 (2017): The (Inevitable) Movie
Bicycle Traveler Magazine, Number 11
New edition of Bicycle Traveler Magazine available online now. Even if you don’t read the words, the photographs are wonderful! (And it’s free.)
“Cycling Europe… On A Bike Called Reggie”: Back In Berkshire!
A date for your diary if you happen to be near Reading on December 12th… “MEET ANDREW: FRENCH TEACHER, WRITER AND LONG-DISTANCE CYCLIST. NOW, MEET REGGIE, HIS BIKE. With two European cycling adventures already under his belt, Andrew was ready for a new challenge. Exchanging his job as […]
The Cycling World: Back To Yorkshire!
Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire: “We are delighted and honoured to announce that Yorkshire has been chosen to host the 2019 UCI Road World Championships. The sensational news was announced last night by UCI President Brian Cookson OBE live from Doha, Qatar which is […]
Challenges And Opportunities Of Yorkshire Hills: Part 3
I’m still using the excuse that Reggie the Ridgeback Panorama is too heavy to use on a regular basis on the hills of Calderdale and West Yorkshire in general. It’s pathetic, I know, but there you go. When I lived in relatively flat Reading, Reggie was my ‘do-anything’ […]
The Silent Approach To Cycling…
Nice little video from Rapha… But do these guys ever chat? “For the launch of the new collection, three riders took a trip to northern Italy to explore the area surrounding the Messner Mountain Museums – Italian climber Reinhold Messner’s dedication to man’s encounter with mountains – in […]
Spain To Norway On A Bike Called Reggie: The Promotional Video
An updated version of what you may have seen before. Can you spot the differences? But here’s something that you probably won’t have seen before; the map for the new book. Available in spring 2017 from all good bookshops…
Spain To Norway On A Bike Called Reggie: The Word Cloud
An interesting angle on the new book; the most frequent 100 words (pre-publisher edit…).
The Non-Self-Publishing Process
Autumnal Thoughts On Writing And Cycling
There’s no getting away from the fact that it is now autumn. If you are a weather forecaster, it started weeks ago on September 1st. If you stick to the ‘old rules’, the autumn equinox was this week and in the next month or so the leaves will […]
Crossing Europe… v. Along The Med… (…On A Bike Called Reggie)
The 218th review for Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie was posted on Amazon.co.uk yesterday. That’s exactly twice as many for Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie which now has 109 reviews. When it comes to the ratings, however, Along The Med is still in front […]
Imagine…
Spain To Norway On A Bike Called Reggie: The Big Edit
It’s been a quiet few days here on CyclingEurope.org as I have been busy editing down the draft manuscript of ‘Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie’ ready for submission to the publishers on October 3rd. I’m already on my second read through and I suspect there […]
Pedalling Ideas, Leeds, 17/18 September
I have mentioned Ian Street a few times on these pages in the past. He is the man behind the successful Leeds Bicycle Film Club (as heard on BBC Radio 4!) and his next project is… Pedalling Ideas. The clue is in the title of the event but here are […]
Nine Tips To Prep For Your Winter Cycle Trip
By Amy Shaw Winter is coming. But that doesn’t have to mean cycling hibernation for the next 6 months – the crisp morning air and crunch of leaves beneath tyres make it worth bracing the elements. Cycling in the upcoming winter months can mean riding at extreme intensities […]
Spain To Norway On A Bike Called Reggie: The Final Chapter
From the sister site, apsykes.com…
Not Such A Random Photograph: Andøya, Norway
I’m in the final throes of writing the new book and have arrived at the island of Andøya. This picture sums up cycling along the coast of northern Norway perfectly… I felt obliged to share it once again. (It originally appeared here.)
Along The Med: Three Years Ago Today
It was August 28th 2013 when I completed my cycle from southern Greece to southern Portugal. The full story here or the even fuller story here… And here are a few photographic memories. Full marks to anyone who can identify where they were taken; Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, […]
“Spain To Norway On A Bike Called Reggie”: The End Is Nigh
From the sister site…
10 Essentials For Long-Distance Cycling Trips
I came across this article that I wrote for a bike insurance website last year when writing the new book, Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie, yesterday. It never appeared on CyclingEurope.org but here it is now… If you’re planning a long distance cycling trip, it’s important that […]
The Brompton Folding Bicycle: A Factory Visit
Here’s a post from 2014 about my visit to the Brompton factory in London. It was interesting to watch the documentary about building a Brompton bicycle this week on BBC1. Worth a look. Here’s the link.
Mont Blanc To The Matterhorn: The Final Day Of Hiking
Mont Blanc To The Matterhorn: Hiking Day 10 / Rest Day In Zermatt
A memorable final day of hiking; magnificent views of the Matterhorn after our final climb (and descent by train) of the trip… …preceded by an impromptu meeting with Theresa May, the new prime minister, in the morning. Here she is chatting to the senior walker of our […]
Guide To Cycling La Vélodyssée, France
By Mark Shaw The Vélodyssée isn’t just long…it’s so long it stretches all the way to Devon! In fact, this incredible Atlantic coats cycling route extends for a full 1,245km, taking in glorious regions like Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Poitiou-Charentes and Aquitaine along the way. What’s more, with […]
Mont Blanc To The Matterhorn: Hiking Days 7-9
It got really tough…
Mont Blanc To The Matterhorn: Rest Day In Evolène
Don’t miss the video below the photographs!
Mont Blanc To The Matterhorn: Hiking Days 4-6
It got tough. Snow, ice, steep mountains but ultimately good fun…
Mont Blanc To The Matterhorn: Hiking Days 1-3
The weather has turned somewhat – I’m typing from the shelter of my tent with rain thundering down outside – but some spectacular hiking in France and Switzerland. Enjoy the photographs:
Mer De Glace, Chamonix, France
“Bicycle Inspiration Reinvented”
Reviews of the books are always welcome and here’s one that has taken the reviewer a considerable amount of time to write. I appreciate particularly the fair comments about the first two books being self-published and the downsides that come with that. It’s a timely opportunity to remind […]
Weekend Thinking: Bike Shed Envy
From one of the stars of The 35 Degrees…
Escaping Britain
A quick, albeit temporary, escape from BREXIT Britain. Tomorrow I drive down to the Alps for two weeks of walking from Chamonix to Zermatt along the haute route… Watch this space.
Tarifa To Nordkapp: Cycling Day 96, 28th July 2015
Exactly one year ago today I arrived at Nordkapp, the northernmost point of Norway and continental Europe after a cycle of 7,776km. Here, for the first time in one post, the story of that final day – cycling day 96 – from Honningsvåg to Nordkapp:
Cycling Day 95: The Photographs
Cycling day 95; the penultimate day on the road to Nordkapp, 365 days ago today…
Cycling Days 93 And 94: The Photographs
Last year on July 26th I was almost there…
Fixing Dad: An Inspirational Tale
This film was shown on BBC2 this evening. Goodness knows why they hid it away at 10pm on a Sunday evening. It would have been better to show it at 8pm on Saturday night on BBC1. The trailer is below; the film itself available on the BBC iPlayer […]
Calderdale: Anyone Know It?
Here’s a nice place for a cycle; Calderdale. Anyone know it? And here’s a wonderful short film about the area that’s just been made by Shibden Digital: If you don’t know the area yet, you will soon, especially when The Piece Hall and Square Chapel Centre for the Arts […]
25 Pieces Of Kit To Record An Alpine Walk
Starting to think about my walking holiday in the Alps. I set off next Thursday, driving down to Geneva to join a group who will have arrived by plane. From there we go to Chamonix and walk the classic ‘Haute Route’ to Zermatt in Switzerland. More details here. […]
En Route To Tromsø, July 21st 2015
When I think back to last year’s cycle from Tarifa to Nordkapp, these are two of the photographs I think about most. they were taken near Tromsø in Norway on this day in 2015… Here they are again, unfiltered and filtered:
Tour De France 2016: Stage 15 – Bourg-en-Bresse To Culoz
School’s Out For Summer (And Cycling)
The sun has set over another academic year… For the second half of the 2015/16 school year I have been working at The Brooksbank School in Elland as a maths / French / cover teacher. It also happens to be the school that I attended myself, far too […]
Cycling The Danube
18th July, Cycling Days 1, 15 And 87
6 years ago today, I pushed the bike out of my flat in Reading and set off on a cycle to southern Italy. Here’s how day 1 was blogged at the time: La Via Romeo Francigena / Eurovelo 5 The Send Off Party! Iconic Location No. 1: Windsor Castle […]
Nice, France
I was fortunate to cycle through Nice in August 2013 after having spent six weeks in the city during early 2000. A real tragedy in a beautiful city. When you watch the news today, don’t forget what it normally looks like. And make sure you visit one day.
Attraverso L’Europa Su Una Bici Di Nome Reggie (2017)
Coming soon, the Italian translation of ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘. Here’s the prologue, translated by Enrico Antonio Mion: Prologo Vendono una maglietta con scritto che esistono tre ragioni per diventare insegnante: Natale, Pasqua e l’estate. Sebbene non concordi con questo sentimento cinico, vi è un […]
Preparations For The North Sea Cycle Route
NOTE: THIS IS REBLOGGED FROM A THIRD PARTY WEBSITE. IT IS NOT THE INTENTION OF ANDREW SYKES TO CYCLE THIS ROUTE IN 2017. Eurovelo 12, The North Sea Cycle Route…
Cycling Events In Leeds
A review of things cycling in and around Leeds in the coming weeks and months…
Mon (My) Mont Ventoux
This Thursday, 14th July 2016, the Tour de France once again points its riders in the direction of the summit of Mont Ventoux in the south of France. As I was cycling from Cape Sounio in southern Greece to Cape St. Vincent in southern Portugal in the hot […]
Tour de France 2016: Stage 8 – Pau to Bagnères-de-Luchon
I’m loving these posts from Maxine Dodd. Very good indeed.
Cycling Day 8: Kanali To Ioannina
Back on this day in 2013, I was cycling through northern Greece heading for the border with Albania. Andy Murray had just won his first Wimbledon title…
The Equipment Needed For (My) Cycle Tour
(Updated July 2016) I have (obviously) not included the bike itself – a 2010 Ridgeback Panorama, the four Ortlieb Roller Plus Panniers or any clothing. Exped dry bags Waterproof Ortlieb map holder Robens Osprey 2 tent Mountain Equipment sleeping bag Decathlon sleeping bag line PowerMonkey Extreme rechargeable battery and […]
Summers Past, Summer Future…
I’ve recently republished some of the posts I wrote during some of the cycles of the past few years. I was wondering if there had been a few days when I had been cycling in each of my five ‘cycling years’. Alas the answer is ‘no’… …but I find […]
Tour de France 2016: Stage 4 – Saumur to Limoges
These evoke memories of cycling in the area of Saumur last year en route to Nordkapp…
Leeds Bicycle Film Club: Slaying The Badger
Another bicycle-meets-film event from Leeds’ greatest bicycle impresario… Mr Ian Street:
Travel Technology – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
Today, for the first time in my eight-year blogging career I was asked to give someone face-to-face advice about running a successful ‘adventure’ website. The person concerned is Mike, a geography teacher at the school where I’ve been working since earlier in the year. This is one of […]
Rest Day 2: Olympia, Greece
On this day, 2013…
The UK’s Top 10 Cycling Blogs
Every so often a company called Vuelio creates a list of cycling blogs that they consider to be ‘influential’. Not sure how they quite work that out but the list has just been updated and, as before, CyclingEurope.org is in there at number 3. If you visit the […]
A Cycling Day In Helsinki
From Kevin Mayne of the European Cyclists’ Federation:
The Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tyre: The Video
Now I’m already a fan of the Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyre but whilst looking up its exact specifications for the new book, I found this. Not sure I would dare…
The Correlation Between Craft Beer And… Cycling?
Does it exist? Apparently so… I know this as last week I received an email from Ben Black of Beer 52 in Edinburgh. “I wondered if you would like to review our craft beer club – Beer52. It may seem like a digression from your normal posts, but […]
The Copenhagen Bicycle Strategy: Read And Weep…
I’ve spent the last couple of hours examining the Copenhagen Bicycle Strategy 2011-2025 as part of my research for the new book. It’s enough to make your average British cyclist weep. Well worth a read but have tissues to hand… Draft extract from The 35 Degrees: Tarifa to Nordkapp on […]
Cycling Day 73: Grimsbu To Kvikne
A year ago today, en route to Nordkapp, Norway…
Summer Book Sale! £1.99 / $2.99 / €2.99
In preparation for the publication of the final book in the popular and acclaimed European cycling trilogy (The 35 Degrees: Tarifa to Nordkapp on a Bike Called Reggie, published in spring 2017 from Summersdale) until August 31st… CROSSING EUROPE… / ALONG THE MED… JUST £1.99 / $2.99 / €2.99 Latest Reviews for Crossing Europe on a […]
Cycling Day 1: The Temple Of Poseidon To Athens
On this day three years ago…
How To Fuel A Grand Tour
The Tour de France 2016 is almost upon us and SIS have created an infographic that gives an insight into how the riders in Team Sky stayed fuelled during those long days in the saddle. I have to say my own approach as I cycled across Europe was […]
Mmm…
The 35 Degrees… Available Spring 2017
An updated promotion video for The 35 Degrees: Tarifa to Nordkapp on a Bike Called Reggie, published by Summersdale in spring 2017.
Pro Seat Rail Mount From GoPro
I’m a GoPro fan – see some of my videos here – so this caught my eye…
Hot Or Cold Shower After A Bike Ride?
By Samantha Long It is one of cycling’s greatest conundrums; greater even than the matter of deciding who is the all-time best cyclist. Or what is the most challenging climb? Or where is the most spectacular ride in the world? The question in question is… A lovely relaxing […]
The Cyclist’s Bucket List / Le Tour Race Log
Just arrived home after a weekend visiting friends back in my old life in Reading… and discovered these items of great beauty on the doorstep. They have been sent by Laurence King Publishing and are very nice indeed; The Cyclist’s Bucket List, A Road Bike Journal and Le Tour […]
“Why Your Next Bike Should Be A Touring Bike”
I only have one bike, a touring bike obviously, so when I saw a link to this article on the RoadCC website, I was immediately interested. What do you think? Why your next bike should be a touring bike—the most versatile bike type around#cyclinghttps://t.co/7oZLSs3AD9 pic.twitter.com/CXljTDttvG — road.cc (@roadcc) […]
The Referendum Is Over… Back To The Cycling!
Normal service is resumed… And to get us going how about a little reminiscing; 100 photos from last year’s cycle from Tarifa to Nordkapp. The 35 Degrees: Tarifa to Nordkapp on a Bike Called Reggie will be published by Summersdale in spring 2017. Available in all good bookshops […]
Should The UK Remain In Or Leave The European Union?
You know where I stand. If you don’t, a few clues below. Don’t forget to vote…
What Has The EU Ever Done For Us?
“What did the EEC/EU ever do for us? Not much, apart from: providing 57% of our trade; structural funding to areas hit by industrial decline; clean beaches and rivers; cleaner air; lead free petrol; restrictions on landfill dumping; a recycling culture; cheaper mobile charges; cheaper air travel; improved […]
Who Is In? Who Is Out? Where Do You Stand?
The lists below will come as no surprise to most people. If Britain does vote to leave the EU, I hope that those in the list at the bottom (and perhaps you if you plan on voting ‘out’) will appreciate the fact that it is those in the first […]
EU Referendum: Four Possible Legal Outcomes Of Brexit
Are you up for paying but having no say? More details at Square One Law.
Honeymoon Traveling
It’s been a grim week but as I was reading up on events this morning on the BBC news website I spotted this short video about a Japanese couple who went on a very long honeymoon, with a drone. The results were outstanding and here they are. Worth […]
EU Migration: Don’t Believe The Lies
If you watched last night’s programme on BBC 2 about EU immigration to the UK, you may remember the woman at the start who lived and worked in Clacton-on-Sea. She blamed the lack of availability of housing in the area on EU immigrants. Clacton is part of the Tendring […]
The Bicycle Film Festival, Brighton
More details on the website. If you can’t make Brighton between July 14th and 16th, perhaps you can attend in New York, Amsterdam, Milan, Mexico City or Sydney…
