SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

Marie Madigan is an experienced cycle tourist with a penchant for wild-camping and discovery. She has toured extensively in the UK and Europe, with the intention of seeing things rather than blasting out the miles. That does not mean that she has not ridden long distances or taken on tough ascents, she has, but always with a willingness to observe and have a breather. This book reflects the fact that, like many of us, cycle touring was a voyage off discovery in itself, with the best education coming from practical experience. Though this is a practical guide to the fundamentals of  cycle touring, it is also full of the stories which gave birth to the guidance.

The advice comes from the liberal wing of the cycling community; there are no attempts to lay down the law. All to the good in my opinion, though I admit that as a cycle-tourist with my own experiences and preferences, I had to remind myself that this is a book aimed at beginners. As such, it works very well; language is jargon-free and there is no attempt to probe the subtleties of ancient varieties of bottom brackets. There is sound advice on gearing and bikes and luggage and clothing and food - some moderately technical - but every stone is not overturned, nor is every possibility discussed within an inch of the reader’s life.

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As a consequence this is a great book for the cyclist setting out on their first tour or for the experienced cyclist to give to someone in need of convincing that cycle touring is just the best. I don’t think the favourite word of many cycling publications, “gruelling” crops up once - though I stand to be corrected. Believe it or not, according to Marie, cycle-touring should - though we all know there are times when gratification is delayed - be fun. Hence we are treated to sections on luxuries, maintaining friendships and reminded that the pace, the route, the stops and the food are all your choice.