The Essential Touring Cyclist: A Complete Guide for the Bicycle Traveler, Second Edition (Paperback)

~ Richard Lovett (Author) "This book assumes that you already have more experience than Mark Twain did in his initial encounter with his two-wheeled adversary..." (more)
Key Phrases: full touring rig, clipless shoes, includes most meals, Grab Ons, North America, Pacific Northwest (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The classic guide for beginning and intermediate cyclists is back--and it's better than ever. With the latest on bikes, gear, and training techniques and new sections on short tours, and touring abroad, this new edition of The Essential Touring Cyclist promises to appeal to a whole new population of aspiring cyclists. Whether you're heading out for five hours or five months, this vividly designed, heavily illustrated, and resource-rich guide delivers everything you need.

From the Back Cover

The Essential Series--Your Trusted Guides "One of the best pieces of equipment you can get to prepare for a tour."--Odyssey

"If you like to bicycle and you're prone to wanderlust, proceed with caution before reading The Essential Touring Cyclist . . . you may find yourself suddenly giving two weeks' notice and hitting the road."--Outdoor Traveler

"Just about everything a person needs to know to travel by bike."--Denver Post

Each year thousands of people pedal across the country, and even more choose weekend or weeklong tours near home or abroad. Bike touring is a way to really see and experience the countryside and come home healthier than when you left. The Essential Touring Cyclist, the only fully illustrated manual for bicycle touring, guides you through choosing a bike, equipping and customizing it for touring, and preparing yourself for life on the road. Other features include

• Getting into shape and dealing with aches and pains
• Touring solo or with groups
• Riding skills and endurance techniques
• Tips on clothing, camping, food, and safety

Whether you're heading out for a few hours or a few months, this new edition of The Essential Touring Cyclist gives you everything you need to know about traveling on two wheels.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 2 edition (December 18, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071360190
• ISBN-13: 978-0071360197
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #122,250 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #2 in	Books > Travel > Guidebook Series > Essential
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for Novice, June 21, 2004

By	Tortfeasor "tortfeasor805" (Santa Barbara, CA) - See all my reviews

Richard Lovett does a good job of describing, in a general way, the three basic modes of bicycle touring: vehicle-supported, "credit-card" (i.e., inn-to-inn), and loaded (camping). It's rare to find *any* books on touring, so on that basis, the book is great. And if you've never toured before, this is a good, informative book. However, if, like myself, you're looking for in-depth hints and kinks on loaded touring, you won't find them here. Ergo, four stars for this one.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really good, July 4, 2005

By	David B. Masopust "reader" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was new to bicycle touring (but not road biking), and I picked up the first edition of this book in a used book shop. The book is well written in an informal, friendly style. The text is supported by several simple but clear illustrations, and there are many scenic (black and white in 1st edit) photos which inspire wanderlust. Most importantly, this book conveys a wealth of information specific to touring, including equipment, how to set up your bike, camping, and trip planning. You get the sense that the author is really an expert, as he peppers each chapter with useful tips that I was not aware of previously. He also includes some surprisingly good (considering their brevity) practical chapters on riding skills, training, injuries, and repairs. In summary, the book is clear, concise, conveys the fun of touring, and contains a lot of useful info. Of the 3 books on this subject I've read, it was by far the best, the most relevent, and I'd highly recommend it.

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touring Cyclist, October 9, 2001

By	Roy Hoogenraad (Oamaru, North Otago, New Zealand) - See all my reviews

I bought the first edition a number of years ago, and it was a well loved and thumbed through book ... I even lent it to all and sundry ... I decided to update it for this one, as there were a number of minor errors in the first one ... the second edition is even better!!!

The style of the book is written by someone well experienced in cycle touring and his style is very easy to read and the advice is sound ... the information contained in the book will benefit both the novice cycle tourist as well as the seasoned veteran.

I like this book and refer to it often for inspiration and ideas ...