Cycling Books and Guides

Five years ago Alastair Humphreys, then 24, left England to cycle round the planet. His journey of 46,000 miles crossed 60 countries and 5 continents. He did this with no back-up team on a budget of less than £4 a day. This is the book of the first epic stage of his journey Moods of Future Joys. In the book’s foreword Sir Ranulph Fiennes writes, “In today’s world of dashing up Everest in less than a day, sailing round the world in ten weeks, and best-selling books about three month motorbike rides, Alastair’s journey stands out as amazing. It was probably the first great adventure of the new Millennium.”

Just two weeks into his ride the September 11th attacks changed everything. Humphreys’ plans collapsed and, instead of riding through Afghanistan towards Australia, he found himself pedaling through the Middle East towards South Africa. Moods of Future Joys recounts a journey strewn with obstacles that succeeded through Humphreys’ trust in the kindness of strangers, at a time where the interactions of our global community are more confused and troubled than ever.

(Click on the cover picture for more information)

The Dales offer a superb network of bridleways, usable all year round, with trails visiting great swathes of moor, rubble-strewn descents, broadleaf woodland, exposed hillsides, stone-based lanes, tarns, rivers…

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of the UK’s most MTB-friendly national parks. With bike buses, restored bridleways and pubs with workshops out the back, riders of all abilities are guaranteed a good time.

This guide contains 24 routes from 10 to 80km long. They are drawn up by Nick Cotton, author of over 30 MTB guides, plotted on Harvey Maps and illustrated with photography by Andy Heading. A special bonus section introduces the rider to the nearby Gisburn Forest and lists the top 10 climbs, descents and cruises in the area.

(Click on the cover picture for a full list of included routes.

The Dales offer a superb network of bridleways, usable all year round, with trails visiting great swathes of moor, rubble-strewn descents, broadleaf woodland, exposed hillsides, stone-based lanes, tarns, rivers…

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of the UK’s most MTB-friendly national parks. With bike buses, restored bridleways and pubs with workshops out the back, riders of all abilities are guaranteed a good time.

This guide contains 24 routes from 8 to 53km long. They are drawn up by Nick Cotton, author of over 30 MTB guides, plotted on Harvey Maps and illustrated with photography by Andy Heading. A special bonus section lists the top 10 climbs, descents and cruises in the area as well as a selection of road climbs to make you wince!