On a Bike Called Reggie: The Complete Collection Résumé

"A wonderful, witty account of a cycle tour across Europe" - (CTC)
"I cannot recommend a better book to read for inspiration" - (Chris Peck, Cycle magazine)

Meet Andrew: French teacher, writer and long-distance cyclist.

Now, meet Reggie, his bike.

In these three travelogues, Andrew Sykes travels across Europe, along the Med, and from Spain to Norway on his trusty bike called Reggie. Making his way through tens of thousands of kilomitres, he perspires his way through a hot and sticky mix of European mayhem and Mediterranean beauty.

Inspirational and light-hearted, these travelogues are a joy for cyclists and non-cyclists alike.

This collection includes:

Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie

The academic year must have been a difficult one as when the summer holidays arrived, secondary school teacher Andrew Sykes was happy to do as little as possible. But while sitting on his sofa watching the exploits of the cyclists at the Great Wall of China at the Beijing Olympics, he realised the error of his ways and resolved to put a bit more adventure into his life.

Two years later, accompanied by his faithful companion Reggie (his bike) but only a rudimentary plan, Andrew set off for a trans-continental cycling adventure that would take him along the route of the Via Francigena and the Eurovelo 5 all the way from his home in southern England to Brindisi in the south of Italy. There were highs and lows, rain and shine, joy and despair and they are all recounted here in a light-hearted, brisk style.

Along The Med on a Bike Called Reggie

One continent, 6000 kilometres, ten countries, nine weeks, four pannier bags, one man, no detailed plan... and a bike called Reggie.

Secondary school teacher Andrew Sykes moves out of the classroom, climbs onto his bicycle and sets off along the route of the EuroVelo 8, from the southern tip of Greece to the Atlantic coast of Portugal.

However, this is more than just a cycling tale of border crossings and big hills, as our would-be adventurer perspires his way through a hot and sticky mix of Mediterranean landscapes, life and culture.

Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie

With two European cycling adventures already under his belt, Andrew was ready for a new challenge. Exchanging his job as a teacher in Oxfordshire for an expedition on Reggie the bike, he set off on his most daring trip yet: a journey from Tarifa in Spain to Nordkapp in Norway – from Europe’s geographical south to its northernmost point.

Join the duo as they take on an epic journey across nearly 8000 km of Europe, through mountains, valleys, forests and the open road, proving that no matter where you’re headed, life on two wheels is full of surprises.

©2011 Andrew P. Sykes (P)2026 SNR Audio