Graham Thompson writes on Amazon.co.uk: “Andrew Sykes is a language teacher, an admirable profession that to do well, I assume, must have some empathy with the countries and people who live and speak those languages. If this is the case then a tour across Europe should come as […]
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.
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
“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. […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
‘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. […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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…) […]
“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 […]
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 […]
Over the next few months, I will drone on endlessly on this website, on Twitter & on Facebook about this piece of cycling equipment or that. I will debate the merits of widget A over that of widget B to the extent that when I do finally make […]
“As my title suggests I can’t wait for the next tale of travel by bike in Europe, I finished it so quickly as I enjoyed it so much. I am assured the next book is due after summer 2013 on Eurovelo 8 Athens to Cadiz. I thoroughly enjoyed […]
‘That phrase, over-used in the review of books ‘the perfect summer read’. Well, this is the perfect WINTER read, because it’s like sitting down the pub with your mate trading travel and bike stories with a nice glass of vino by the fire. Andrew Sykes’ writing is informal, […]
If you’ve read Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie, you may well remember Iain who I stayed with overnight in Deal, Kent. I look up to Iain as someone who seems to know much more about the technicalities of cycling than me. It wouldn’t be […]
“I bought this book having read some great reviews, I wasn’t sure it would be my thing, how wrong I was. It doesn’t get bogged down with technical details about the bike or equipment, and stays fairly easy on complications to the end, although it’s packed with detail about […]
I’ve just caught up with last Monday’s Cycle Show on ITV4 which contained an interesting piece on cycling up to the Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps. Some stunning images and it’s worth watching on the ITV Player just for the views (although if you do, be quick as […]
Perhaps the first line of the latest five-star review for Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie will help me break into the lucrative market currently dominated by Fifty Shades of Grey… “This a passionate read – and if you enjoy travel or you enjoy cycling, […]
Welcome back! (Sorry, just practising for a future job on daytime television…) A couple of posts back, I wrote about my visit last week to York but there was a little gap in my day. Here’s what I did in the gap… The writing of my book has […]
50 reviews on Amazon.co.uk & still going strong with an average star rating of 4.7. Here is number 50; “This book was just great. From the first page to the last I was never bored and was always desperately wondering what Andrew (the author) was going to do […]
It’s now a year since Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie was first published. The literary journey since August 2011 has been almost as eventful as the one by bike to Brindisi back in summer 2010; here’s hoping that Year 2 will be just as […]
“What a cracking little read this was, showing just what anyone can do if they put their mind to it and have the bottle to head out of the comfort zone of their front door and out into the unknown. The thing I love about these type of books […]
“Took this book on holiday with me and travelled through every destination with the author as he did on his journey. The planning and execution of the adventure is well documented in diary format. The photos are very helpful to show some of the places and people he […]
“This is a charming and well written account about how to spend the time of your life on -mainly- the more quiet back-roads of Europe, where people are helpful and friendly and life and bike-riding (apart from a few broken spokes) are good. Lots of useful info for […]
Do you write for a magazine, have a blog, present a TV show, run a country? (OK, probably not the last one…) Would you like to read and review an ‘inspirational‘ book about one man’s ‘wonderful, witty cycle tour across Europe’. Well, I have a limited number of […]
In my book, Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie (have I ever mentioned it?) I make the following comments about Brooks saddles; “I did at one point in my two-years of preparation consider changing to a Brook’s leather saddle which apparently moulds itself to your […]
Brian Palmer has written a review of Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie for The Washing Machine Post; “Sykes has a glorious, yet understated wit, which is way more satisfying than any rip-roaring induced laughter at each paragraph end. The best writers and indeed, the […]
Waking up to find that your book is top of the charts on Apple iTunes is never a bad way to start the day. 🙂
I had seen that Michael Palin was going to be in town a few weeks ago; Waterstones in Broad Street had cranked up the publicity machine and it had done the trick as I, along with many others were in the queue by the time the great man […]
A couple of weeks ago, James Mudd emailed me after having read Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie telling me of his plans to do something similar; I am setting off with two friends on 2nd July 2012 from Home (Leeds) to Rome. I was inspired by […]
“I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in cycle touring, but also to anyone without any interest in cycling at all. It’s well written, very witty and never gets bogged down in statistics or technical issues, but the author’s concise descriptions of the route, scenery […]
“I just loved this book and was gripped from start to finish. The author is such an everyman but is so inspiring as he cycles across half of Europe. I really found it difficult to put this book down and it really cheered me up every morning and […]
In the recent CTC review of Good Vibrations, Chris Peck noted ‘Never judge a book by its cover‘ before going on to extol the virtues of the read (‘I can’t recommend a better book for inspiration‘). Others have made similar comments about the cover (‘why choose a litter-strewn, […]
“As the review title says, I truly enjoyed this book. It is well written account of a trip made by a man who sounds pretty much a normal sort of guy. This is… what makes the book so appealing, [it] makes this sort of adventure sound do-able.” T. […]
Let it never be said that I don’t respond to the wishes of my valued readers! Tim has just commented on the home page of CyclingEurope.org; The Kindle version of your book comes with no map. No idea why, the kindle screen produces perfectly good black and white […]
From the other side of the Atlantic, Mary Reynolds has written a review of Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie for Examiner.com; “With a dry British wit (and some very wet days), Andrew Sykes tells of his amazing bicycle journey from Reading, England to Brindisi, Italy. […]
The Rhine Cycle Route (or as it has been recently rebranded, the Eurovelo 15) has a sexy new website. Can a website be sexy? Actually, not going there… It’s worth a look (and you won’t feel obliged to delete your Internet browsing history after having been there…). The […]
… I’ve just finished watching another series of The Apprentice; it was, once again, very entertaining. Congratulations. It’s fun watching the ‘best young business brains in Britain‘ (as the narration sometimes reminds us) trying to persuade you to hand your £250,000 over to them. The only person who […]
“‘Never judge a book by its cover’ to which I would add: ‘nor its title’. I embarked on this book a little wearily but was quickly won over by Andrew Sykes’s engaging, self-deprecating style. His account of his transformation from daily cycle commuter to trans-European long distance cyclist […]
Another five-star review of Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie; “Looking for something different I stumbled upon Crossing Europe on a Bike called Reggie and found it surprising and inspiring. The book works on a number of different levels. As a travelogue, the author takes […]
An email has arrived from Jack who fancies cycling around Europe… He writes in blue, I write in red. Well, I am a teacher, albeit one with a sniffly nose today. And on the day that Francois Hollande becomes the French president, it does give this post a […]
What bike is? As I type, friend Sally is pedalling the streets of London on a Boris Bike. She has beaten me to it! I must have inspired her with my tale of cycling to Italy for it is the very same Sally who advised me where the […]
I’ll let you into a secret; please don’t tell anyone. Here goes… When I post reviews of Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie on here, I occasionally edit them ever so slightly so as to give them a seamlessly positive tone (and to be honest, […]
My cousin is a teacher of English language in Portugal. He works for the British Council in the beautiful hilltop city of Coimbra some 40 kilometres from the Atlantic coast. I’d certainly recommend it as a place to visit. Anyway, away from my travel advice, you’d think he’d […]
On the BBC’s Countryfile yesterday afternoon, the weatherman shown here explained how April 2012 had been very wet indeed. He used this graph to explain that in southern England since January 2010, there had only been three months that had received above average levels of rainfall. Of those, August […]
“Just finished [Good Vibrations]… and thoroughly enjoyed it. It brought lots of memories of my experience of cycling touring even though mine was no where near as ambitious… Many of the cycle touring books I have read have been about people selling up and hitting the road for years on […]
“Andrew Sykes’s enthusiasm, determination and wry humour come through in this entertaining read. It will suit both armchair dreamers and two-wheel travellers considering their own possible adventures… Andrew’s trip from England to the toe of Italy during his summer break from teaching has the feel of a minor […]
“This guy deserves a pat on the back; well written and thought about and kept me on the edge of my seat on what was going to happen next. I do recommend this book; you won’t regret [reading it].” ‘sifi’, Amazon.co.uk review of Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on […]
Another 5* rating on Amazon for Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie; “I’m sure I heard Andrew on The Bike Show podcast giving a rough outline of his trip. It was such a good podcast I noted the title down & bought the book on […]
I have received an email from Monica. Hi Andrew Next year starting 29th March I will be cycling from Lisbon to Athens using the Eurovelo Route 8, raising money for Camfed. I am organising the trip myself and spotted your website. All advice, large or small gratefully received. […]
After having finished writing, directing & editing yesterday’s award-winning* advert for Good Vibrations, I cranked up the video camera yesterday, called in a few favours with my mates Seb, Dave, Boris & Kate, fuelled up the helicopter & knocked off the London 2012 Spring Update! (*Best CyclingEurope.org advert for […]
Click the picture to access the Apple iStore and download your copy of Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie.
Having just read Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie Simon Barnes in Washington DC has added a review at Amazon.com; “The author tells a very funny story of his adventure, with Reggie his bike, as they ride from southern England to the south of Italy. […]
Ian Street has just written an extended review of Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie on his website Into The Orchard. Here is a snippet; “The book is simply broken down into daily chunks… and each day is littered with little vignettes and observations and […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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) – […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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
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 […]
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!).
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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
“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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
‘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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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!
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.)
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 […]
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 […]
