Classic Cycle Routes of Europe The 25 greatest road cycling races and how to ride them

by Müller-Schell, Werner

• ISBN13: 9781408157527
• ISBN10: 1408157527
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-09-15
• Publisher: A&C Black

Summary

The ultimate guide to the 25 greatest cycling journeys across the continent. Whether you're a seasoned randonneur or an armchair dreamer, this is the book for you. A beautifully photographed and practical guide for any keen rider on how to complete some of the most famous rides across Europe. The follow-up volume to Spring 2011's Ride a Stage of the Tour de Franceand capitalising on the popularity of long-distance cycling, and cycling in general, Classic Cycle Routes of Europeinspires and informs the reader about the most well known cycling routes across Europe. Each route is described in detail, with altitude, distance, maps, planning and preparation all included, along with background information and great stories associated with the area. Includes stunning photography and up to the minute practical advice from an author who has been there and done it. Classic Cycle Routes of Europeincludes Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the Giro di Lombardia, along with 20 more classics, sweeping you through The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland and Norway.

Author Biography

Werner Müller-Schell is a cycling journalist and contributor to the renowned cycling magazine Procycling.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Tour overview: 25 European cycle classics at a glance	p. xi
The Right Preparation	p. 1
Fit through the winter	p. 2
The right training	p. 2
Cycling technique û often underestimated	p. 3
The right way to deal with stretches of cobblestones	p. 3
A special feature - 'hellings'	p. 5
Cycling in the mountains	p. 5
Safe, fast descents	p. 5
The right clothing	p. 6
A well-maintained bike	p. 6
The final planning	p. 7
In the saddle	p. 8
Kit list for a classic cycle ride	p. 9
The Classic Cycle Races	p. 11
Race categories	p. 15
Spring Sorties	p. 17
On the trail of the Majorcan coastal classic	p. 18
The little sister of the Ronde	p. 24
The 'ride into spring'	p. 30
A semi-classic for wind and sprint specialists	p. 36
The Tour of Flanders: Following the professionals through the Flemish Ardennes	p. 42
Paris-Roubaix: On the cobblestones through the 'Hell of the North'	p. 48
Rund um Köln: The cycling festival on the Rhine	p. 54
Amstel Gold Race: On the zigzag course through Limburg	p. 60
La Flèche Wallonne: The 'Walloon Arrow'	p. 66
Liège-Bastogne-Liège: The 'Old Lady' of the classics	p. 72
Eschborn-Frankfurt City Loop: Through Eschborn, Frankfurt and the Taunus	p. 78
Summer Specials	p. 85
Gran Fondo Felice Gimondi: Following the 'Phoenix' round Bergamo	p. 86
Nove Colli: The classic in Emilia-Romagna	p. 92
Maratona dles Dolomites: On the road in the heart of the Dolomites	p. 98
Trondheim-Oslo: 'Den Store Styrkepøven' - the big trial of strength	p. 104
La Ventoux: Rendezvous on the 'Giant of Provence'	p. 110
La Marmotte: The Alpine classic of the Tour de France	p. 116
Pau-Tourmalet: A unique Pyrenean stage of the Tour	p. 122
Autumn Adventures	p. 129
Clásica San Sebastián: The race for the 'txapela'	p. 130
Vattenfall Cyclassics: On the trail of the professionals	p. 136
Ötztaler Radmarathon: The classic in the Tyrol	p. 142
Züri Metzgete: From a professional classic to a classic for everyone	p. 148
Paris-Tours: The 'Autumn Grand Prix'	p. 154
L'Eroica: Cult tourism for connoisseurs and enthusiasts	p. 160
Tour of Lombardy: The race of the falling leaves	p. 166
More Classics	p. 172
Paris-Brussels: The 'Grand Old Lady' of the second rank	p. 172
Rund um die Hainleite: The oldest continuing classic in Germany	p. 173
GP Ouest-France: Cycling festival in western France	p. 173
Bordeaux-Paris: The almost forgotten 'Derby'	p. 174
Paris-Brest-Paris: The epitome of the long-distance classic	p. 175
La Fausto Coppi: In memory of the 'Campionissimo'	p. 175
Alpen Brevet: One for the climbing specialists!	p. 176
Vätternrundan: Round Sweden's second-biggest lake	p. 177
Index	p. 178
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