Adventure Cycle-Touring Handbook: Worldwide Cycling Route & Planning Guide

Every cyclist dreams of the Big Trip — that once‑in‑a‑lifetime journey across continents, cultures and landscapes. The Adventure Cycle‑Touring Handbook is the definitive guide to making that dream a reality.
Whether you’re planning a two‑week escape or a year‑long ride across Asia, Africa or the Americas, this comprehensive manual offers the knowledge, inspiration and real‑world advice you need to set off with confidence.

Cycle touring has been transforming travel since the 1870s, long before cars reshaped the world. The bicycle offered — and still offers — a revolutionary freedom: go where you want, when you want, under your own power. Today’s touring boom is part of that long tradition of rediscovery, blending modern innovation with timeless, tried‑and‑tested designs.

This handbook explores:

• The bikes, components and gear today’s tourers rely on
• Different styles of long‑distance travel, from lightweight touring to rugged off‑road expeditions
• Why cyclists choose the bike over buses, trains or trucks — and the unique places it can take you
• Practical planning advice for destinations around the world, with suggested routes and regional insights
• Stories from global adventurers, revealing the joys, challenges and unexpected encounters that make cycle touring unforgettable

From wandering quiet lanes in France to crossing India or tackling remote mountain passes, this book celebrates the freedom, spontaneity and deep satisfaction of travelling by bicycle. It won’t tell you exactly where to go — because it’s your adventure — but it will give you the tools, ideas and inspiration to begin.