Adventure cyclist and author Markus Stitz has gathered together routes from passionate gravel cyclists and curated them into this essential Great British Gravel Rides book. There are 25 routes to pick from, including an East Lothian adventure with round-the-world cycling men's record holder Mark Beaumont or perhaps enjoy a different side of East Anglia with ultra-endurance racers and GBDURO20 winners Josh Ibbett and Gail Brown. Then there's A Scottish coast-to-coast adventure with round-the-world cycling women's record holder Jenny Graham, or see the best of Scottish Borders with diversity in cycling champion Aneela McKenna. Route Guides Every route provides insight as to why each cyclist loves gravel riding, what inspires and motivates them - and why they believe it qualifies as one of Britain's best gravel rides. You'll find a detailed route description, with interesting information about the local area plus exactly what to expect on the route. This includes details on the best places and attractions to explore, recommendations for the best local cafes and pubs and a list of local bike shops, should they be needed. With inspiring photography showcasing some of the best gravel trails in the UK, as well as bespoke maps and downloadable GPX files for each route, this is the essential companion for any gravel rider.
The pinnacle of road cycling has always been the climb – climbing a mountain gracefully, beating your competition up the slope. The mountains are where cycling legends are formed. Max Leonard goes in-depth to explore this obsessional relationship. He asks why road cyclists have turned Europe’s mountains into the Colosseum of the cycling world. He explores the pilgrimages that amateur cyclists have created of these high, remote roads and what they see and feel when they do. Higher Calling explores the central place of mountains in the folklore of road cycling. Leonard beautifully combines adventure and travel writing with the narrative of pro racing – taking readers from the battles that created the Alpine roads in the first place, to the shepherds tending their flocks on the peaks, to a Grand Tour climax on the highest road in Europe. Through this journey, Leonard brings together stories of courage and sacrifice, war and love, and obsession.
The Alpine peaks of Europe are a part of everyday life for locals; but those who visit those same peaks reveal awe-inspiring beauty, active holidays and moments of quiet solitude. But for us cyclists, they take on almost mythic qualities. They represent suffering, pain, agony - and glory. For over a century the mountains have provided the setting for the greatest cycling contests, where human determination and willpower can triumph over nature and opponents. As cycling has gained in popularity, more of us enjoying seeking roads less travelled, the mountains of Europe have become the primary destination for everyday riders who want to challenge themselves, experience the storied roads and escape their everyday lives. This publication is aimed at all who wish to be inspired by those challenges or celebrate those personal victories. With tributes and personal recollections from leading road cyclists, the photographs and words coalesce into a visual depiction that transcends any single perspective and will inspire awe and wonder in anyone who wishes to confront the power of the mountains.
“Marathons are no longer enough. Pain is to be relished, not avoided. Hallucinations are normal.” Adharanand Finn’s takes a journey, in The Rise of the Ultra Runners, to discover why anyone would want to take part in one of the world’s most brutal and challenging sports. An experienced marathon runner, Finn explores the psychological and social drivers that are leading more and more runners to swap tarmac for trail, and 26.3 miles for 30-, 50- or 100-mile races. In the book Adharanand Finn pushes himself, journeying from the deserts of Oman to the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies, and on to his ultimate goal – the 105-mile Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. Along the way he encounters the sport’s most colourful characters and shares firsthand experience of the sports soaring highs and crushing lows. This is the perfect book for anyone who is thinking of taking up ultra-running, or for anyone who wants to read about the boundaries of human endeavour.
Written by a leading sports scientist and a record-breaking ultra-distance cyclist, Ultra-Distance Cycling is an expert guide to endurance cycling, that delivers both practical and performance-enhancing insights on every aspect of ultra-distance cycling. The book wonderfully combines science and experience, delivering all the information you need, whether you’re just starting out, or you’re an experienced ultra-cyclist who wants to take their performance to the next level. Ultra-Distance Cycling includes plenty of great advice on training, mental preparation, equipment, nutrition, and major ultra-distance cycling events. This is the definitive manual which provides riders with everything they need to ride longer and faster.
Lennard Zinn is the world's leading expert on bike maintenance and repair. His friendly step-by-step guide explains the tools you'll need and how to know you've done the job right. The book's two-colour interior is easy to read - even in a dimly lit garage or workshop. Hundreds of hand drawn illustrations and exploded parts diagrams show just the right level of detail to lead you through every bicycle repair task. This smartly organised guide shows how to repair new and old bicycles from top to bottom. In 500 pages, Zinn's guide includes simple instructions for hundreds of bike maintenance and repair jobs. * Basics: how to fix a flat tire, lube a bicycle chain, adjust the brakes. * Emergency repairs: how to fix a broken chain, tighten loose spokes, repair a bent derailleur. * Easy shifting: how to adjust shifters, derailleurs, and cables for clean and smooth shifting. * Wheels: how to true a wheel, install a new tyre, change a cassette, replace broken spokes, build your own wheels. * Overhauls: how to service and replace pedals, chains and chainrings, saddles, handlebars, stems, headsets, forks, bottom brackets. * New tech: how to maintain 11-speed systems, electronic and wireless shifters, disc brakes. * Cyclocross: how to set up a 'cross bike for racing, select the right components, and make quick repairs. * Troubleshooting: how to figure out what's wrong with any bike and fix it. In this updated 5th edition there's new information on disc brakes, through-axle forks, SRAM eTap wireless shifting, second generation Shimano and Campagnolo electronic shifting, direct-mount sidepull brakes, SRAM X-Sync 1x11 cyclocross systems, tubular tyre gluing tapes, press-fit bottom brackets, wheelbuilding for all bikes including cyclocross and disc-brake wheels, torque tables plus much more. Lennard Zinn is the world's leading expert on bike maintenance and repair. He was a member of the U.S. national racing team and has been riding and fixing bikes for nearly 50 years. A professional frame builder and bike designer, Lennard is also a technical writer for VeloNews magazine and hosts the popular Tech Q&A on VeloNews.com.
100 pages documenting good times on and off the bikes. Photos by Javee Garcia, Jerms Gutierrez, Chris Mortenson, Spencer Lee, Sean Ricany, Robbie Morales, Pat Freyne, Robbie Owen, Pat Burke, Lil Jon.