Le Grand Tour …on a Bike Called Wanda

Le Grand Tour… En España, Part 3

By Andrew on May 17, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

Does it ever worry you that you forget things that, really, you should remember? I’ve just had one of those moments. I searched CyclingEurope.org to see if I posted anything about an interview that did with Talk Radio Europe shortly before setting off on the 2015 cycle from Tarifa to Nordkapp. I was in southern Spain at the time and I went down to the studios of the radio station in Estepona for a chat about the upcoming trip. It’s not something that I seem to have recorded here on the webiste, not even in passing. Strange but there you go. My search did, however, reveal that back in late September 2011 I appeared on Talk Radio Europe to chat about my 2010 cycle to southern Italy. I have no recollection whatsoever of having done so but the proof is there. I did. You can listen to that interview from 13 years ago at the foot of this post.

Le Grand Tour: Moving On…

By Andrew on May 11, 2024 • ( 2 Comments )

It is fair to say that writing a book takes up a lot of time. It’s also equally fair to say that once the writing has finished, marketing a book also takes up a lot of time. This is my excuse for not having posted to the website or produced many episodes of the podcast in recent weeks and months. However, it’s now over a week since Le Grand Tour on a Bike Called Wanda was unleashed from my protective shackles and I’m hoping to begin to return to the life of a blogging, podcasting cyclist. As for the book, it is now at the mercy of those who choose to read it and, perhaps, review it. So far, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and I am very grateful to everyone who has posted on social media or messaged me or indeed written a formal online review. To all those who have done so, thank-you.

Le Grand Tour: The First Review Has Landed…

By Andrew on April 27, 2024 • ( 9 Comments )

As you may have noticed, Le Grand Tour on a Bike Called Wanda will be published on May 1st. It’s always a slightly worrying moment as your baby is let loose into the at-times-unforgiving world of literary criticism. I can only hope there are more reviews similar to the one that has just been published on Brian Palmer’s Washing Machine Post website. Brian’s full review can be read by following link below. Here is an extract.

Le Grand Tour On A Bike Called Wanda: Just Days To Go…

By Andrew on April 26, 2024 • ( 5 Comments )

It is only now a matter of days until three become four and the new book – Le Grand Tour on a Bike Called Wanda – is published. The date is May 1st although you can already pre-order the eBook from Amazon if you want to start reading at midnight on the 1st! The paperback isn’t available to pre-order but rest assured that will also be available from May 1st. Initially you’ll have to go via Amazon to get hold of the book but Apple Books will also have the book available on iTunes, hopefully from May 1st. And if you’d like a signed copy, keep reading as these should be dispatched this very weekend, several days before the official publication!

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 078 – Le Grand Tour On A Bike Called Wanda / Andrew P. Sykes

By Andrew on April 21, 2024 • ( 2 Comments )

In this episode of The Cycling Europe Podcast, guest presenter Andrew Edwards chats to Andrew P. Sykes about his 2022 cycle around Europe and his new book – Le Grand Tour on a Bike Called Wanda – that is published on May 1st 2024.
“Secondary school teacher and inveterate would-be adventurer Andrew P. Sykes is back in the saddle. This time, however, it doesn’t belong to his long-term sidekick Reggie. There’s a fresh-faced kid on the block and she’s a bike called Wanda. (Nothing fishy about that!) The new double act set off on a grand tour of Europe to explore some of the continent’s most iconic cycling routes and locations: the Vélomaritime, the Avenue Verte to Paris, the Véloscénie to Mont-Saint-Michel, the Vélodyssée, the Canal de la Garonne, the Canal du Midi, the ViaRhôna, the Furka Pass and the Rhine are all on the itinerary of this light-hearted loop from the Hook of Holland… to the Hook of Holland. Join Andrew and Wanda as they put their best foot and only front wheel forward in a hot, dusty but at times very damp quest to delve into the lives, landscapes, history and culture of some of our nearest continental cousins and the countries they call home.”

Covering All Bases: ‘Le Grand Tour … On A Bike Called Wanda’

By Andrew on March 27, 2024 • ( 2 Comments )

Secondary school teacher and inveterate would-be adventurer Andrew P. Sykes is back in the saddle. This time, however, it’s not the one belonging to his long-term sidekick Reggie. There’s a fresh-faced kid on the block and she’s a bike called Wanda. (Nothing fishy about that!) The new double act set off on a grand tour of Europe to explore some of the continent’s most iconic cycling routes and locations: the Vélomaritime, the Avenue Verte to Paris, the Véloscénie to Mont-Saint-Michel, the Vélodyssée, the Canal de la Garonne, the Canal du Midi, the ViaRhôna, the Furka Pass and the Rhine are all on the itinerary of this light-hearted loop from the Hook of Holland… to the Hook of Holland. Join Andrew and Wanda as they put their best foot and only front wheel forward in a hot, dusty but at times very damp quest to delve into the lives, landscapes, history and culture of some of our nearest continental cousins and the countries they call home. [Warning: This adventure also contains trains.]