L’Enfer Du Nord / The Hell Of The North
On his excellent website, IntoTheOrchard.com, Ian Street has just written about the Paris-Roubaix cycle race which takes place this coming weekend. He’s linked to a documentary that I’ll try to watch at some point over the next couple of days. It reminds me that I wrote about the Paris-Roubaix […]
On Your Marks, Get Set… Go! Go! Go soon!
I suppose it’s the time of year that long-distance cyclists worth their salt come out of relative hibernation and start setting off on great adventures. Apart from me… And that’s a fact that makes me a bit jealous of the three people who I am about to mention […]
In Praise Of… Instagram (& IntoTheOrchard.com)
Lots of people are using Instagram; it’s not difficult to see why. It’s a piece of picture editing software that comes in the form of an iPhone app and changes your photos from pristine digital images to retro pics from the 1970s. I’ve seen it in use on […]
“A Wonderful, Witty Account Of A Cycle Tour…”
Koga Trekking Bike Pornography
Facebook friend and ex-Emmerdale Farm (it will always be a farm to me, despite its modern-day aspirations; Seth Armstrong would never have approved the change) actor Richard Moore has just contacted me asking about new bikes. It got me dreaming again and I headed off to the Koga website to […]
Andrew & Reggie Cycle The World
If you can remember back to early summer 2010, although I didn’t keep it a secret, my departure along the Eurovelo 5 from my home town of Reading to Brindisi in the south of Italy was low-key to say the least. I sneaked out of town early on the morning […]
March 2012
It’s been the second busiest month at CyclingEurope.org since the move to WordPress back in January 2010. Thanks for visiting!
Motherf*****g Bike – Sons Of Silence
As you can imagine, it’s just like this when I cycle from Reading to Henley-on-Thames every day… I think I should really get one of the t-shirts for school. My street cred would go through the roof (but my career through the floor). Motherfucking Bike — Sons of […]
Un Ciclista Denunciado!
Give your Spanish a little workout by watching this video from Spain; can you figure out why he is being harassed by the police? If you can’t, read the story in English at Copenhagenize.com.
A Letter From The Editor Of The Times
Dear Reader Three weeks ago we launched our map aiming to make Britain a safer place to cycle – and you have responded in fantastic fashion. Over 6,700 areas across the UK have been pinpointed, highlighting the roads you feel uncomfortable cycling on and the junctions which put […]
Facebook Gets A New Look
Well, the Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie page on Facebook does. What do you think? Aiming for 100 ‘likes’ before Easter. Can you help out? If you want to read the book before ‘liking’ (recommended!), click here for the paperback or here for the eBook. Thanks […]
Good Vibrations: “Inspiring!” / “An Entertaining Read”
A couple more top-rated reviews on Amazon this afternoon for Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie; This entertaining, informative book inspired me to get out on my bike and ride, ride, ride!!! Read this if you love cycling, you will not be disappointed! Paul Lewis, […]
Good Vibrations: The Reviews So Far
Here are a few, well, quite a few, quotes from the reviews that have been so far made about Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie. Click on the picture to make it a bit bigger (or strain your eyes and read the banner at the […]
2012: Summer Of Cycling
Just found this online; “In 2012, brought together by the all-party Parliamentary cycling group, dozens of major UK cycling event organisers, charities, NGOs, industry manufacturers, retailers and other organisations with an interest in pedal power are collaborating to promote a ‘Summer of Cycling’. The campaign aims to provide […]
The New British Olympic Kit?
As a newly appointed London 2012 volunteer, I’ve got to be careful here not to say too much but I think I am on solid ground by making a comment about the new kit that was revealed this week for the British athletes taking part in the games… It […]
Good Reads: Cycling Books
I am about to enter the high-brow world of literary criticism! Not only is Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike called Reggie the book of choice at next Thursday’s London Cycling Book Club – I’ll be there in person of course (see banner below for full details) – […]
For some reason (I know not why), this post has received considerable attention today. Was the original Radio 4 documentary repeated?
“Five Stars, A Must Read For Any Cyclists”
Another top-rated review on Amazon for Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie; “This is a must read for anyone who [rides] a bike. I found it to be very inspiring, it makes you want to get out and ride your bike (no matter what the weather […]
Cycling Around The World… With Anne Mustoe
Matthias Pleyer, organiser of the London Cycling Book Club which will be discussing Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie in under two weeks’ time (more info on club’s website), has just asked me to answer some questions for the website. His final question was as […]
“Best Cycling Book I’ve Read To Date” *****
I do hope C. J. Boarland has read more than just the one cycling book; “Best cycling book I’ve read to date. Having decided to embark on my own mid-life cycling adventure this year I was looking for a book written for the ordinary guy who aspires to […]
London 2012: Volunteer Update (Shhhh!)
I finally received an email from the London 2012 Olympics this week about whether or not I had been successful in my application to be a ‘Games Maker’ (or volunteer). It was good news; “Congratulations! Following your interview to be a London 2012 Games Maker, we are delighted […]
Raleigh Sojourn Expedition Tourer
There’s a new kid on the block to rival Reggie and the other Ridgeback Panoramas out there: the Raleigh Sojourn expedition tourer. I haven’t ridden it, but the people at Road CC have and here’s what they have to say; “Raleigh have gone upmarket in the do-everything tourer market […]
Good Vibrations: “Very Enjoyable Read” 5*
“First time I have downloaded an eBook. Very enjoyable read. eBook does not have photos, but they can be found through the book’s website [and Facebook page]. Invaluable route planner for anyone wanting to cycle this route…” ‘benmac’, Amazon review
A Grand Cycle Tour Of Europe, Perhaps
I received an email from Pete in New Zealand earlier this week. He is a man with a great, or should I say ‘grand’ plan. He explains that he is soon to move back to Europe from down under and will be living near Turin, Italy on his return […]
Dallaglio Flintoff 2012 Cycle Slam
Lawrence Dallaglio is back on his bike again and this time he is cycling the Eurovelos 5 & 8, kind of… The cycling challenge is called “The Dallaglio Flintoff Cycle Slam” and the official website describes the endeavor as follows; “Between April 23rd and May 18th next year […]
EuroVelo, Veloroute & Voie Verte
Should you be thinking of cycling in France (OK, perhaps not at the level of the three guys here but…) and wondering what the difference is between the three kinds of cycle route in the title of this post, Maggie Lacoste of Experience France by Bike has just […]
“Compelling, Interesting, Amusing… Hard To Put Down”
I received the following very nice email earlier this week about Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie: “I’ve just finished the vibrations and ‘good’ they were. I really enjoyed reading about your travels and thoughts on the way (and before). Apart from the obvious success […]
Replay: Henley-on-Thames To Reading
Thought it was about time the video of my commute home from Henley-on-Thames to Reading got another airing. It was made back in 2009 and I am thinking about doing a remake with my new Biologic iPhone 4 mount for Reggie’s handlebars (as discussed a few days ago in […]
Good Vibrations On Kobo & Lulu
Another two ways to get hold of your copy of Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie – Kobo & Lulu (and coming very soon to Apple’s iStore!).
Levi’s® Commuter: Time To Ditch The Lycra®?
Cycling really is becoming mainstream. And fashionable. The full range can be seen on the Levi’s® website. (This is such hot-off-the-press news that the link isn’t yet active! You heard about it here first!!)
Cyclemeter 6.0 App / Biologic Bike Mount
As I have mentioned before, I don’t often invest in iPhone or iPad apps on a whim. The last time I paid up for something it was the excellent Cyclepedia which is a thing of great beauty & design. However, earlier this week, just as I was getting ready for […]
“A Great Read Which Will Inspire Any Cyclist!” *****
Another 5* rating for Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie: “This book would tempt any cyclist (and non cyclist!) who has not been away on a tour to pack up the bike and pedal off. Andrew Sykes sums up the beauty and freedom of having two wheels […]
Adventures In & Out Of The Saddle
I’m so glad that it is now March. It seems that someone has told the people who control the weather to turn off the fridge and as a result we are slowly shuddering into what feels like the very first days of Spring. Saying such a thing does […]
“In A Word ‘Inspirational’. Gave It 5 Stars.”
“Just finished reading [Good Vibrations] at 4am… I found the whole context of the book to be in the real world, from the planning, or lack of [it], the meeting people and the comments on the places he visited and people he met. As someone who is too old to […]
London 2012 Velodrome With Sir Paul Smith
Bus W*****s (Update) & Volvo W*****s
Following my ‘Bus W*****s in Bristol & Reading’ post of a few days ago, I finally have a response from one of the ‘customer champions’ of Reading Buses. Before you read what she says, you may want to read the original email I sent to the bus company. […]
In Praise Of… The EuroVelo Advert
Stop this now! No more ‘In Praise Of…’ for a while 🙂
In Praise Of… The Crane Bell Suzu (Brass)
I let the bell speak for itself…
In Praise Of… Blue Door Cycles
I am at risk of being contacted by The Guardian newspaper if I keep using this ‘In praise of…‘ title, but this post and the next are going to do so anyway! Blue Door Cycles was the cycle shop I visited on Wednesday evening to talk about my trip across Europe as […]
Bus W*****s In Bristol & Reading
The above expression was coined of course by The Inbetweeners to great comic effect but what follows is at the other end of the spectrum of mirth. A Bristol bus driver has been sentenced to 17 months in prison afer using his bus as a weapon to knock a […]
In Praise Of…The Bike Show
That was fun. It’s a good job that time in the real world, outside the studios of radio stations, doesn’t go by as quickly as it does inside those little sound-proofed rooms. We’d all be in our graves before we were out of the maternity ward. Fifteen minutes […]
Thirty Minutes Of Worldwide Fame
Well, The Bike Show is available online so compared to Reggie’s five seconds of fame last Friday on BBC South Today, my thirty minutes on Monday evening surely compares quite well, no? Three ways to listen; if you live in central London the show is broadcast on 104.4FM, […]
Five Seconds Of Local Television Fame
Over the last few days, I have been crawling out of bed in the morning like a groom after his stag night. Not that I’ve been drinking the night before. Far from it. It has simply been the knowledge that Friday was the final day of term and […]
Pedal 4 Pounds Sponsored Bike Ride
A message from my brother…
Reggie In The Snow
Reggie The Rebel
With a puncture in the Oxfordshire countryside… 🙁
GVCEBCR: 5* “A Great Read”
“I read this book as I want to ride Lands End to John O’Groats so I’m reading anything I can on long distance cycle rides. This is a great book…one of those that make you tired because you end up reading late into the night! I was also delighted to […]
The Soma Fabrications Crane Suzu Lever Strike Brass Bicycle Bell
How about that for the name of a bicycle bell! You may recall that last week I was bemoaning the quality of bells fitted to modern-day bikes in my post A Bell Of A Problem: Hornits, Pings & Brings. The ‘bring-bring’ bell I bought from Evans in Reading […]
GVCEBCR: 5* “I Thoroughly Enjoyed The Book Cover To Cover”
“I sat down one winter evening and bought this book after hearing good things and reading other reviews about this cycling trip. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the book cover to cover (or as best as you can with a Kindle). As much as I applaud the […]
Excitement Builds @Waterstones_Edi
Look at all these people in the Princes Street branch of Waterstones in Edinburgh. They are mingling excitedly for the arrival of something… What could it be? The new Harry Potter? A famous celeb? No? What? Are you sure? It can’t be… can it? Yes it can… Good […]
GVCEBCR: 5* “Great Entertaining Read”
“I enjoyed Good Vibrations, a nice easy read, well written and witty account of an epic journey. An unassuming account written as seen. Observations I could associate with, and shows what a great experience can be had travelling through the different cultures of Europe. The book gave me […]
GVCEBCR: 5* “A Most Enjoyable Read”
“I have just finished reading ‘Good Vibrations – Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie’ by Andrew P. Sykes (@CyclingEurope on Twitter) and what a thoroughly enjoyable read it was too I must say. It tells story of Andrew and Reggie’s six-week journey along Eurovelo route 5 from their […]
CyclingEurope.org Supports ‘Cities Fit For Cycling’
Click here for more details.
Read Now, Discuss Later (At Blue Door Cycles)
A reminder that in two-weeks’ time, I will be at Blue Door Cycles in Upper Norwood, South East London (SE19) to chat about Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie. If you get reading now, you should have made it to Brindisi by Wednesday 15th February […]
A Specialized Review For Good Vibrations
‘Specialized Guy’ describes himself as follows on Twitter; ‘Qualified Cytech mechanic. In 2011, I cycled 12,000km. From 1st April, 2012, I will be embarking on a European WWOOFing & EuroVelo cycle touring adventure.‘ So clearly he is into his bikes & touring. He goes by the Twitter name of @Specialized_Guy and […]
Matera To Cisternino, Puglia, Part III
The third and final instalement of my cycle from Matera to Cisternino is now available to read on The Puglia.com. It recounts how I meet my friends Basil & Liz after nearly a month of cycling from southern England to Brinidisi. Enjoy the extract and then read more […]
A Bell Of A Problem: Hornits, Pings & Brings
Were I ever to become the Prime Minister of this country (which admittedly is a long shot as I don’t belong to a political party and Prime Ministers recently have been getting younger and younger), the second thing I would do is to ban people from designing things […]
“Impressed & Envious! A Riveting Read!” 5*
Another 5* review for the collection on Amazon.co.uk; I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I decided to embark on this cycling trip from my armchair, but found almost immediately that I was absorbed in tales of highs, lows, comedy and adventure that kept me engrossed for […]
Bike2Basics: European Festival Cycling
Here’s a novel twist of organised cycling; Bike2Basics. The name gives little away about what this sibling threesome do, but of the two brothers and one sister, it seems to be the latter who is in charge & she has contacted me with a bit of information about […]
Via Francigena A La Good Vibrations, Part 3
I take my hat off to Thunderthighs who has taken his, err… my route one step further along the road to Brindisi with part 3 of his route map from Strasbourg to Bellinzona. Here is the link. Amazing!
Good Vibrations: Only £8.99 (& Free P&P) From Waterstones!
Click on the picture to go directly to the Waterstones Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie page 🙂 Or on the last link. (Shut up Andrew.)
New Amazon Review: 5* “Excellent Book, Very Inspiring”
A new review for Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie; “I loved this book, you felt like you were travelling along with him, funny in parts and very inspiring to just decide to ride to Italy from the UK, I hope some day I am […]
Shit Cyclists Say…
From YouTube; “We’re uniting a million voices to improve the future of biking. Join us by signing the pledge for better biking at http://www.peopleforbikes.org. Take the Peopleforbikes.org pledge: “I am for bikes. I’m for long rides and short rides. I’m for commuting to work, weekend rides, racing, riding […]
Want A Job In Reading?
Travelling Young; Matt Andrews / Anthony King
CyclingEurope.org has just carried out its very first interview! It’s with a couple of cyclists who are planning to do something rather special and who are an inspiration to the rest of us. I’m sure you’ll hear and see their names a lot more over the next couple […]
“A Thoroughly Enjoyable Read”
Another positive review on Amazon.co.uk for Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie; I read this book on a recommendation and was not disappointed. The diary type narrative fully illustrated the vagaries of such an extraordinary challenge but with sufficient information on the adventure for me to […]
London Calling… Four Times!
My home town of Reading is only thirty minutes or so from central London on the train and over the next couple of months, I will be very grateful for that small quirk of geography as I will be up in the capital quite a bit. First off […]
The Bike Touring Survival Guide / Bike Touring / Bicycle Traveler
My eBookshelf has three new touring-related publications, one of which mentions me! From left to right, the first two – The Bike Touring Survival Guide & Bike Touring – come from the Travelling Two stable and the first of those – the survival guide – is only a free […]
On Hannibal’s Trail (Again)
I first wrote something about this documentary – On Hannibal’s Trail – back in October 2010 when it was shown on the BBC HD channel. At the time, Middle-Age Cyclist Darrell (that’s his website by the way, not me being presumptuous) commented as follows; It is a great […]
Thunderthighs To The Rescue
You’re probably wondering how this is going to end. A few days ago I found something on the Internet that intrigued me. It was on a site called Bikely.com. The site is a route bank for cyclists; you can register and upload your route for others to benefit […]
Good Vibrations: “Captures Vibe Of Adventure Cycling”
New Cycle Path For Reading, Berkshire
And, unfortunetly, a bigger road for the cars…
Tweeting Is Good For Your Health
Well, sometimes it can be. Last night, after polishing off a plate of pasta that could have provided a decent foundation for a detached house in the home counties, I slumped onto the sofa to consult Twitter. @Shelagh Fogarty, Five Live presenter & uber-swimmer had tweeted the following message; […]
Good Vibrations: 5* “An Entertaining Read”
“This book is an entertaining read not just for serious cyclists or occasional cyclists (I am in the latter category) but also those who travel – using the word in its old-fashioned sense – and will recognise many of the difficulties but also joys that the author came […]
The First Post…
…of 2012. And a directly cycling-related one at that! In my quest to achieve 4,000 miles cycled this year (see previous post), I have just knocked out the first 23 on a little jaunt down the Thames to Wargrave, north (still in the direction of the Thames) to […]
The Last Post…
…of 2011. There will be much more in 2012 no doubt. We shall see. In the meantime, an end of year portrait of the bike that I call Reggie and a few moments to think about the year ahead. I’ve been on Twitter tonight and lots of people […]
My 3,000th Tweet: Rohloff v. Sturmey-Archer!
While I was browsing the Cyclepedia app (see previous post), I came across a reference to the Rohloff Speedhub. It’s a gear-changing mechanism that I have never seen but which has fascinated me since I watched Mark Beaumont’s documentary about cycling the Americas. He used one. It is, […]
Cyclepedia: Iconic Bicycle Designs
“In 1815 an Indonesian volcano erupted, changing the climate and affecting crops as far afield as Northern Europe. The resulting famine was severe, with Europeans forced to eat horses – a main source of transportation – for sustenance. To tackle the resulting transport problems, Baron von Drais created […]
Season’s Greetings From London 2012
Just got an email from London 2012 regarding my application to be a volunteer during the Olympics. I had an interview back in November and more recently I have been contacted regarding my driving licence so I am expecting some news at some point… Here’s what the email […]
Top 10s At CyclingEurope.org in 2011
I always find these lists fascinating. It’s the mathematician in me I think. Others may find them less riveting so if that’s you, you may like to move on… They cover what is now, most of 2011 (only around 40 hours to go). The top page is fairly […]
Boneshaker Magazine
I am in bed. The bed is too short. This makes it difficult to sleep. It isn’t my normal bed; it’s the bed in the attic of my brother’s house where I have been staying for the last few days over Christmas. It’s cold and the rain is […]
Annabel’s BMC
My niece Annabel has a new bike; a BMC Streetfire (2009) purchased second hand from a director of Cycling Scotland. She’s named it Beatrice. What kind of nutter would give their bike a name?
Happy Christmas!
I’m about to escape the south for the frozen north (well, Yorkshire) for a few days. I’ll be tweeting but probably not blogging so have an enjoyable festive season. Happy cycling ! P.S. If you discover that Santa has brough you a Kindle, iPad etc… on the 25th, […]
Cycling4Cancer / Chris Gruar
I get so envious when I read about people who are planning really big trips like this. Puts my own efforts to shame. Perhaps one day… In his own words: “My name is Chris Gruar, and in April 2012 I will begin my charity cycling trip from England […]
***** Enjoyable, Endearing, Eloquent
Another 5* review for Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie on Amazon.co.uk; “I really enjoyed the relaxed affable style of this author, making his points eloquently without ever being stuffy or superior. Sykes has an endearing almost vulnerable quality which makes his observations very witty; on […]
World Biking: Dream It, Plan It, Bike It
I won’t let the fact that the person behind this website – Amaya Williams – has blocked me on Twitter (why?) prevent me from praising her website. And her ambition to ‘cycle every country on the planet’. It’s a refreshing twist upon the cycling around the world trend. […]
Hobbit Village Or Berceto, Italy?
The new film will be called The Hobbit – An Unexpected Journey and the first trailer has just been released. These two shots from that trailer remind me of my cycle to Berceto, high in the Italian Apennine mountains where I stayed at an idyllic camp-site near the […]
The Cycling Author Shelf Of Fame?
Dear Mr Sykes – I’m too full of respect to refer to you as Andrew – I’ve just completed reading your “Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie” and thoroughly enjoyed it, well done, not just for completing the journey, but also the book. You are […]
Reggies Virtually Reunited
Reggie, my eponymous bike is going strong, especially after his three-figure Christmas refit at AW Cycles earlier this week (it’s worth paying for the parts and labour just to get him gleaming again). Alf Grant, a prospective UK to Italy cyclist who I met for a chat in […]
Breaking News: Good Vibrations Arrives At Waterstones!
And it’s a real shelf, not a virtual one! Can you spot it in this photo taken in Waterstone’s Reading Broad Street branch?
Google: Let It Snow!
It’s not just WordPress!
Reading’s Cycling Heritage
Yes, it does appear to have one. I spotted this fading sign a couple of weeks ago and took a picture when I passed the ally, leading off of West Street earlier today. I hasten to point out that the establishment no longer exists :(. A little bit […]
Good Design: Cycle Hoop
There is some dreadful design in Britain. No. That’s wrong. There is a lot of dreadful design in Britain. It’s the endless obsession with doing everything with a ‘best value’ hat on. Central government, local councils, companies. They are all guilty. ‘Best value’ is of course a nonsense […]
Go Danish… And Save The Planet! (Well, Europe)
We are often encouraged to ‘go Dutch’ when it comes to improving our cycling habits, but a new report from the European Cyclists’ Federation would imply that we should ‘go Danish’ instead. By doing so, we could help the EU achieve a quarter of its target for reduction […]
What A Wonderful World With David Attenborough
“9781849142137 Synopsis”
The ‘site stats’ section of the administrative pages of this website can be a fascinating place to spend a few moments. Alas, only for me… I noticed yesterday that someone had arrived here after having searched the term ‘9781849142137 synopsis’. That number is the ISBN for Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe […]
Books, Baths & Bryant
It’s been a funny old day. I wandered into Reading just before lunch with a simple plan; check whether Good Vibrations has yet arrived on the shelves of Waterstones in Reading (answer: not yet, but I did leave it displayed on the customer in-store computer for all to see) […]
The Guardian Bookshop Good Vibrations Offer
The Guardian have Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie on offer; only £7.99 with free postage & packaging to anywhere in the UK!
