Book Review – 'Britain's Best Bike Ride' by John Walsh and Hannah Reynolds

'Britain's Best Bike Ride' by John Walsh and Hannah Reynolds
I have not ridden Land's End to John O'Groats, despite having ridden the length of Britain on several occasions, as well as multiple trans-Europe tours. However, if I was to ride the iconic British bike ride I would, without doubt, follow the route laid out by John Walsh and Hannah Reynolds in the beautifully edited and illustrated Britain's Best Bike Ride.

I have never been one to race across countries, at least not in the literal sense. Some of my multi-country tours have demanded that I ride 200 km+ every day for several weeks to make up the time; however, I have always made time to stop; take in the local surroundings and appreciate the culture that a country has to offer. Britain's Best Bike Ride is all about that approach: not taking the fastest or most direct route to complete LEJOG, but instead taking the most interesting, scenic, and in my view most rewarding route from the southernmost point of mainland Britain to the most northern.

Britain's Best Bike Ride is an inspirational and comprehensive guide to a thousand mile journey from Land's End to John O'Groats. It follows the LEJOG1000 route, which is designed to show you the quiet roads, picturesque villages and incredible landscapes that Britain has to offer. This is a book for creating memories, rather than setting records.

Whatever your fitness and enthusiasm for endurance, Britain's Best Bike Ride caters to all. The 30 'stages' are segments of between 20 to 30 miles; so faster riders can combine three or more stages together to make a challenging daily itinerary, whilst more relaxed paced riders can opt for a reduced daily mileage with one or two stages per day.

With information on accommodation, eateries, and bike shops – this book offers all the information you need for a comfortable and safe tour. The illustrations and detailed colour maps help you envisage the stage before you depart, while the route profiles and downloadable GPX files will ensure you are kept on track and looking forward to the upcoming terrain.

Brilliantly written and beautifully put together – this is a book and a route for all aspiring touring cyclists.


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