Climbs and Punishment

Cycling journalist Felix Lowe swaps the keyboard for the saddle and sets off on his own two‑wheeled odyssey across Europe — and the result is a brilliantly funny, painfully honest, and totally addictive travelogue. In this epic ride from Barcelona to Rome, Lowe pedals 2,800 kilometres through three countries and over three mountain ranges, tackling some of the most legendary climbs in cycling history.

As he follows the routes of the Tour de France, Vuelta a España and Giro d’Italia, Lowe digs into what makes these grand tours so iconic — and why cyclists, pros and amateurs alike, are drawn to the madness year after year. Powered by pastries, pasta and a healthy dose of self‑mockery, he brings every climb, valley and village to life with sharp wit and a knack for storytelling.

From the Catalonian coast to the Pyrenean foothills, across the lavender fields of Provence, over twisting Alpine passes and down into Italy’s olive‑dotted countryside, Lowe’s journey is as much about the landscapes and cultures he encounters as it is about the sport itself. Along the way, he even retraces the route of Hannibal and his legendary “elephant army” marching toward Rome.

Part travel writing, part cycling history, part personal challenge, this is a warm, insightful look at what drives people to push their limits — and why the world looks different from the saddle.