A Sense of Achievement

The Long Distance Cyclist's Handbook: Simon Doughty. A & C Black, 2001. 216 pages paperback, £14.99. ISBN 0-7136-5819-3

And that is really long-distance cycling: 'Long distances really begin at 100 miles'. Some of us may think that covering miles at rather below a racing cyclist's winter training pace merely for its own sake (apparently) is a bit like train-spotting. But there are upsides: you do get to enjoy a lot of scenery during the daytime parts; there's the undeniable sense of achievement; it keeps you fit; and there's not much of that aggressive urge to beat other people – you're competing against yourself, the terrain, and the weather.

For superannuated racing cyclists Audax is probably the most attractive alternative – lightweight, stripped bike, higher speeds, any distance you want, really.

Simon Doughty takes you through equipment, bike set-up, clothing, food and water, health and hygiene, safe cycling, maintenance, travelling abroad, and navigation – don't blindly follow others who 'seem to know where they're going'. I wouldn't much enjoy some of the bikes photographed, particularly the one on page 55 attached to a trailer the size of an Eddie Stobart truck, with a leather saddle pointing down at 15 degrees – not my idea of pleasure or safety. But then, leather was what we made do with while we waited for superior man-made products to come along. All this gets us to page 130.

Then follow sections on training, from first principles to periodisation, tapering and peaking. It's all good stuff, and anyone who follows it will improve. Finally we look at training for specific events, from 200 km randonnées to Paris-Brest-Paris and the Race Across America, an event so demanding that more people have flown in outer space than have completed it. No way, Miguel, as Del Boy would say.

So much for the synopsis. How good is it? Well, folks, if you can learn anything from a book, then I have to tell you that this book gives you absolutely everything you need. You won't go wrong following Simon Doughty's advice. You've got the detail and the overall picture. The style's a touch heavy in places ('zips and seams are susceptible to water ingress' almost qualifies for a pretentious-English prize; what's wrong with 'tend to let water in'?) but it's always clear, lucid, no frills. Not really for would-be racing cyclists, (though even they would learn something), but the long-distance aspirant will find it not only immensely useful, but unique.

Ramin Minovi