Over the years, many people have asked why there isn’t an audio book version of any of the books I have written. Well, I’d love to say that I had the time, resources and technical know-how required to embark upon such a feat. I can cope with making podcasts which don’t require stringent adherence to technical standards and in which my ropey diction can be forgiven (hopefully) by the listeners. But an audio book? I have tried on occasions to record something but I’m no Stephen Fry. The attempts have been quickly abandoned. However, I have news…
Blue Monday? Not Here… All Books Now Just £2.99 (eBook) Or £11.99 (Paperback)
Happy New Year! I’ve just returned from feeding my brother’s cats. He’s in Australia at the moment and the journey to his house – invariably made on foot or on the bike (but admittedly all too often in the car…) – gets me out of the house in the deep mid-winter. I shan’t dwell upon the fact that at the start of my return walk I was viciously attacked in the right eye by a lethal wreath of holly (ultimately it came off worse than I did) and focus on what I’ve just spent the past hour and a bit listening to as I wandered home: BBC Radio 3.
It will soon be 10 years that I set off to cycle along the Mediterranean coast from Cape Sounio in southern Greece to Cape St. Vincent in southern Portugal. My route was inspired by the EuroVelo 8, although it was much less developed back then than it is today. I saw some EuroVelo 8 signs in Catalonia but aside from that, I’m not quite sure I saw any elsewhere. And after Valencia, when I was beginning to run short of time – I needed to be back at work at the beginning of September – I headed inland, away from the coast in order to complete the journey without resorting to jumping on the train.
When it comes to the mapping of my various cycles, things have come a long way in the past decade. Today a great leap forward took place and here it is in all its 4k glory (if you have a monitor, tablet, phone or TV that is up for the challenge). Sit back and enjoy The Great British Cycle Tour of 2020 animated map.
“It has been months since I finished this book and I’m only now getting round to blogging about it. This is the second book that I’ve read by Andrew; the first was all about crossing Europe. This book he also crosses Europe, but from the southernmost point in Spain to the most northerly point in Norway, a distance of 8,000km.
Earlier this month I talked about the annual Cycle Touring Festival going virtual for 2020 and the time is almost here! The festival kicks off later today (Friday) and continues over this coming weekend of the 25th and 26th April. Laura and Tim Moss, who have organised the festival every year since 2015, have done a magnificent job in putting together, once again, an eclectic, interesting and potentially inspiring programme of events.
The world is indeed a small place; the cycling family even smaller. I know this as three things have happened this week and they all have nice connections with my third book, Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie. First up is an email, but before you […]
Every EuroVelo could do with one of these… Hopefully sometime soon they will. A glossy 90-page brochure giving an excellent overview of the EuroVelo 8 Mediterranean Route that I cycled back in 2013. The route is broken down into 15 sections starting in Cadiz and finishing in Cyprus […]
Only five shopping days until Christmas. And if you are looking for that ‘inspirational’ cycling read for a loved one, all three ‘…on a Bike Called Reggie‘ books are widely available online or in bookshops. Read in 2020 in preparation for episode 4 of the great cycling saga […]
Celebrate the freedom of movement in Europe! Links: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie (£3.99)
On the day that sees the world’s best female cyclists competing in the women’s road race at the UCI World Championships here in a very wet Yorkshire, I am reminded of a day – now over 11 years ago – when I was living in Reading, Berkshire. It […]
I’m not so outspoken although the ridiculous shooting-yourself-in-the-foot nonsense that is Brexit gets my blood boiling and my current issues with Vodafone have me using creative language that would shock your grandmother, and then there’s the idiots who park on cycle lanes* and the pavement – often both… […]
A few years ago, this website – CyclingEurope.org – was awash with reviews of one or another of my books. Indeed I dare say that if you chose to stroll back through the tagged archive for either Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie, Along The Med on […]
There is a risk that CyclingEurope.org might be entering a phase of being a useful website once again… In response to the post earlier in the week about the Denham handlebars on my new touring bike – the Koga WorldTraveller-S 2.0 – which also made reference to the USB charging device that is connected to the Son 28 front dynamo hub, I have received a detailed and very interesting email from David Sinclair.
Yesterday I received an online alert about an article on YesCycling.com – ‘a buyers guide to the cycling world‘ which featured a reference to ‘…on a Bike Called Reggie‘. I went to investigate and discovered not just one reference, but three! Here’s what was said about each of […]
An extract from a distinctive day during the hot summer cycle from southern Greece to southern Portugal as described in Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie. Saturday 17th August When I emerged from the tent at 7am, after a night of only brief spells of sleep, […]
I have received an email from Ian Johnston. It has provoked me to do a bit of digging in the Cycling Europe archive and as a result I am writing this longer-than-normal post. Enjoy. The Tende Pass is perhaps one of the lesser-known Alpine passes but it is […]
Signed copies available for Christmas: more details on this page of CyclingEurope.org.
For the past three years I’ve been honoured to give a talk at the Cycling Touring Festival in Clitheroe, Lancashire. It’s a wonderful, friendly event and this year was drenched in continuous sunshine from beginning to end. That aside, in each of those three years the festival has […]
Regular readers of these posts will know that I quite often receive emails from people asking for information about cycling in Europe as occasionally I post my exchanges with such people on the website. In the case of Simon Ruddenklau, however, I didn’t. Perhaps it was a busy […]
It’s difficult to disagree with that, especially when it’s written about cycling and about one’s very own book. Here’s AJFrobisher’s full review of Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie as it appeared on Amazon.co.uk: “I cycle. I cycle a lot. 3,000 miles a year give or […]
Cold? This might warm you up… …as might reading this; my 2nd (and favourite) book, Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie, where I cycled the length of the EuroVelo 8 from Greece to Portugal:
Yes, it’s true… …however you write it, Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie and Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie are now available for Amazon Kindle for a mere 99 pence or 99 cents. (If you buy the paperbacks from Amazon you can download the […]
…then three – one for each book – come along all at once! Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie: “Five stars as it kept me smiling throughout, written simply but in a compelling style that made me want to get on my bike, forget Strava and just […]
I have spent much of my time in the last few months marketing the new book, Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie (there I go again…), and, perhaps as a result, there has been renewed interest in books one and two. A new review appeared yesterday […]
Signed copies of the new book – ‘Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie’ – as well as the first two books – ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ and ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘ – are available for £15 per book, two books […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Some news tonight of something that I never really thought would happen. The kind of thing that happens to others, not a French teacher from Yorkshire. But it has. I am delighted to announce that earlier today I signed on the dotted line… …and that The 35 Degrees: […]
It’s good to know that after all this time, Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie and Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie are still ‘hot’ in the eyes of Apple… We are in good company: Bryson, Palin, Beaumont, Kennedy, Orwell, Clarkson… Hopefully The 35 Degrees* […]
A couple of nice reviews for Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie (now only £8.99 in paperback!) in the past few days… Remember that signed copies of either or both books are available for Christmas presents. More details here. By L. Lane on 4 December 2015 The brilliant follow up […]
What a great title for a newspaper. And in the next edition, I’m being interviewed! You can already read the article online. I do like the picture that they have chosen (and cropped, and perhaps even coloured?) to accompany the text. If I wasn’t already (quite rightly) committed […]
Here’s the list, in pictorial form, of the current best sellers on Apple iBooks ‘Travel Writing’ section in the UK. Only two of the books on the list are, as far as I am aware, self-published. Since publication (in 2011 & 2014 respectively), those two self-published books have […]
One of the greatest frustrations when writing Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie and subsequently Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie was the constant need to rearrange the windows on the laptop in order to see what I needed to refer to either online or elsewhere […]
Today has seen the posting of the 100th Amazon review for Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie.Below are reviews 97, 98, 99 and 100. Now, I really need to crack on with book 3… 5 Stars: Cracking Read By Book Addict on 8 November 2015 Couldn’t wait to start […]
It’s been a while since I’ve gathered together recent reviews for Along The Med… (which is now just £8.99 in paperback, £1.99 on Kindle) but here are some that have been posted over the summer: A thoroughly engaging, well written account of an inspiring journey. (DB63) Inspiring and every […]
…die hard. The 1st September 2001 (or thereabouts) was the first time I experienced that first day back at school as a teacher. Today would have been my 15th first day back at school had I not taken the plunge and decided to quit my full-time teaching job […]
Whenever I post something about cycling – the previous post being a good example – I invariably receive at least one email or message or comment saying something along the lines of “All this cycling stuff is great Andrew but, quite frankly, I’d rather know more about the current […]
Did you follow Andrew as he cycled from Tarifa to Nordkapp earlier this summer? Are you yearning to read more tales about long days in the saddle? Well, for a very limited period, the ‘wonderful, witty, inspirational’ cycling travelogues ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ and ‘Along […]
This is a very nice review for ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘. Thanks Graham Hind!
Now back in the UK after my successful cycle from Tarifa to Nordkapp, at some point over the next few weeks (or more likely months) my mind will turn towards completing the European cycling trilogy of books that started with Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie and […]
From Kathryn, a librarian in Northumberland, on Twitter: “@kafylou: Did this display in work this week (a little late I know) the 1st book 2go was @CyclingEurope #ikidyounot #librarians”
I can’t deny that there was more than just a little bit of me that felt very guilty about booking this ‘coastal steamer’ (aka cruise) along the coast of Norway. Anyone who has read Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie (just £2.49!) will no doubt recall […]
Yesterday the following review was posted on Amazon.co.uk for ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘: Now first of all I’m grateful to the reviewer for having taken the time to write the review. The reader has clearly enjoyed reading the book as it has been […]
Just spotted this article about the first two books…
‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘ and ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ are still riding high in the cycling books chart – that’s all cycling books, not just Kindle ones – at Amazon.co.uk. If you have been one of the people who have downloaded […]
So it’s Monday 9th March and I’m just about to start my second week at the language school here in Cádiz. Perhaps first of all I should apologise to all those people who are desperate for me to start writing about cycling once again. At the moment there […]
I’ve just read the following comment on Instagram and I’m very touched indeed. Many thanks to Dr. Guru Singh for writing what he has:
I am delighted to announce that ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ has now broken into the highly competitive Indian book market. It is currently the number 1 cycling eBook available on Amazon.in! (OK, I admit it, it’s sold one copy but it’s a start…) Meanwhile back […]
Two new reviews for ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘… ‘Guru’ writes on Amazon.co.uk: 5* – An epic journey across the Mediterranean by Reggie and a man called Andrew “I read Andrew’s first book Crossing Europe on a Bike called Reggie twice and enjoyed it even […]
Guru Singh – ‘Singh of the Mountains‘ – is challenging himself to cycle over the Alps in aid of Cancer Research. Despite his cold, I’m delighted to say that ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ and ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘ are helping to […]
It’s taken some time but finally the Waterstone’s website is now listing both Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie and Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie with their correct titles and front cover images! Many thanks to the people at Completely Novel and The eBook […]
Don’t forget that both ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ and ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘ are available on Apple iTunes / iBooks. ‘Along The Med…’ has just received three five-star reviews in as many days!
I’m spending my Saturday morning signing and wrapping copies of Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie and Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie. If you would like to purchase a signed copy of either or both of the books, follow this link to find out […]
A couple of new reviews. The first from Paul Dennis at Amazon.co.uk for Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie: “Once again Andrew Sykes (and Reggie) lead you on an adventure, exploring new places and making you feel like you are actually there with them. Beautifully written […]
What do I need to do to get a literary agent and a publishing contract???? Positions number 1 and 4 in the iTunes ‘Travel Writing‘ chart. Number 1 in the iTunes ‘Travel and Adventure‘ category and a third book out in 2016. It’s enough to make you leave […]
Kevin Mayne, formerly of the CTC and now at the European Cyclists Federation has just posted a review for ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie’ on his own cycling website…
About a month ago I summarised the reviews that had so far been posted to Amazon for Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie. Here’s an update as to what people have been saying in October; “I am approximately two thirds of the way through this and […]
When it comes to writing pieces for this website, September is always a lean month. I’ve just been looking back at the number of posts made every month and since 2009 when CyclingEurope.org burst into life on the world wide web (albeit under the much less catchy soubriquet […]
‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘ has now been available for nearly two months and the reviews have been very positive! Here is a selection of comments from the reviews so far posted to Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com: “Humorous, entertaining and even informative. Hard to put down. Travel writing […]
A few months ago in late spring I was interviewed over the phone (I suppose that bit is important) by a journalist from The Weekly News. Excellent! It was a nice chat with Craig, I sent him some pictures and he proceeded to write the article and send it […]
I live in Reading, Berkshire and I’m a member of the Reading Cycle Campaign. I wrote the following for their current newsletter: “The Cycle Campaign asked me a couple of months ago if I’d be interested in contributing something to the newsletter and here is my first piece. […]
Fear not! It’s not another book, and it won’t be (unless someone calls with an offer I can’t refuse) but it does sum up my plan for August 2014 in terms of cycling. This afternoon I bought a ticket for the overnight sleeper train from London Euston to […]
Courtesy of Wordle, here are the top 100 words contained in Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie… (see comments below) The top 100 words do not include very common English words. The word ‘cycling‘ appears 568 times in the book but the word ‘but‘ rears its […]
Well, I’ve got to have a press release, no? Press Release: ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie’ For immediate distribution Wednesday 30th July 2014, Reading, Berkshire We are delighted to announce the publication of the cycling travelogue ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘ by Yorkshire […]
Here it is… (If you see any errors, please let me know before it goes to print! It’s not geographically perfect by the way…): Here is a previous version (spot the differences!):And here is the draft version:
…will be published on Friday 1st August 2014. The much anticipated follow up to ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ will be available initially as an eBook at Amazon and in paperback from CompletelyNovel. ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘ will be available on other platforms […]
The Yorkshire Bicycle Show takes place over the weekend of the Tour de France Grand Depart in Yorkshire, the 4th – 6th July, at Leeds Town Hall. The organisers have just finalised the list of talks that will be hosted as part of the event and here it […]
Coming To A Radio Station / Café / Pub / Bike Shop / Cathedral Near You! Well, if you live in Yorkshire… Later this week I’ll be talking a short break from putting together the final chapters of Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie (due out […]
Here is the third in a series of extracts from the soon-to-be-published book ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘. If you haven’t done so already, you may want to read extract 1 (which was about cycling day 11 in Albania) by following this link and read extract 2 (which […]
Well, I’ll be in Leeds at the Yorkshire Bike Show for the launch of ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘ at 3pm on 5th July (come along!) after having watched the ‘off’ just outside Leeds Town Hall (which is the venue for the show). On Sunday […]
I’m nearing the half-way point in writing “Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie” (you can read two extracts here and here) and to whet everyone’s appetite I have just posted the photographs from my travels through Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Slovenia to the new […]
Here is the second in a series of extracts from the soon-to-be-published book ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘. If you haven’t done so already, you may want to read extract 1 (which was all about cycling day 11 in Albania) by following this link. Tuesday […]
Here it is in all its glory; the new cover for Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie as designed by Andy Mitchell of Custard4Gravy. It’s wonderful and better than I ever imagined. I’m now in the process of updating the various editions of the book that are […]
You’ve still got time to make sure you’ve read ‘Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie‘ before ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘ hits the shelves this summer. ‘DartmoorScottyDog‘ did just that and he seemed to enjoy the experience…
Over the next few months as I write about my 2013 cycle from Greece to Portugal along the (rough) line of the Eurovelo 8, I will publish an occasional extract from the book here on CyclingEurope.org. The book will be published on the 10th June 2014. Here is the first […]
In just 10 minutes – at midday – you’ll be able to read an exclusive extract from my forthcoming book ‘Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie‘ here on CyclingEurope.org. The book will recount the tale of my cycle in summer 2013 from the Temple of Poseidon […]
The year is slowly drawing to a close… and I haven’t got very far with the new book. I’ve so far written about 6,500 words (which equates to about 5% of the final total unless it turns out to be a modern-day War & Peace). I’m not worried […]
The ECF have just published an interview with me where I discuss this summer’s cycle from Greece to Portugal along the rough line of the Eurovelo 8. The interview can be found on the ECF’s increasingly useful Eurovelo website in a slighted edited form. The full interview is […]
