Giles Belbin – författare

Cycle the Route des Grandes Alpes and take on one of the great challenges of European road cycling, a 720km (447-mile) journey from the southern shore of Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean coast at Nice, crossing 17 major alpine passes through the Vanoise, Écrins, and Mercantour national parks. Entirely on road and demanding throughout, this is a serious cycling adventure for well-prepared riders with experience of mountain roads. Suitable for experienced long-distance cyclists, this trusted Cicerone guidebook by cycling writer Giles Belbin describes the full route in 14 stages of 31–75km (20–46 miles), completable in 1–2 weeks. Six route variants are also described for those who want to adjust the itinerary, and with plenty of eBike charging points along the way, the route is increasingly well-suited to electric bikes. Cycle the Route des Grandes Alpes in 14 stages from Thonon-les-Bains on Lake Geneva to Nice on the Mediterranean, passing through the Vanoise, Écrins, and Mercantour national parks and overnight stops including Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Val d'Isère, Briançon, and Saint-Martin-Vésubie.Conquer 17 major alpine climbs along the route, including the Col de l'Iseran, the highest paved pass in the Alps, the legendary Col du Galibier and Col d'Izoard, the Cime de la Bonette, the Col de la Cayolle, and the Col de Turini above the French Riviera.Choose from 6 route variants to adapt the itinerary to your schedule, fitness, and preferences, with alternatives described for stages across the Savoie, the Queyras, and the approach to the Mercantour.Navigate with confidence using 1:150,000 mapping and elevation profiles included for each stage, alongside GPX files available to download for the full route and all variants.Plan your Route des Grandes Alpes cycling trip with comprehensive practical information on bike selection and preparation, eBike riding and charging stations, accommodation, food and drink, getting there, and safety and emergencies in the mountains.Discover the highlights beyond the cols, including the medieval town of Briançon, the Guil Valley, the Grande Corniche, the lakeside town of Annecy, the dramatic Casse Déserte below the Col d'Izoard, and the final descent to the French Riviera at Nice. Take on the Route des Grandes Alpes with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. From the shores of Lake Geneva to the warmth of the Mediterranean, this is the essential companion for one of the most demanding and rewarding long-distance cycle routes in the Alps.

The Tour de France is a race like no other, so perhaps it’s no surprise that it attracts racers like no other. The winner of the second Tour actually came fifth – but the four racers before him were disqualified for cheating. The 1932 champion credits his win with saving him from capture by the Nazis, as the soldiers recognised him from the podium. One of Britain’s best cyclists of the modern era only got into European racing by forging an email. Tour de France Champions is a journey to the summit of cycling, looking at those who have taken on the roads and mountains of France to prevail above all others and win cycling’s greatest prize. Giles Belbin presents the stories of all those who have claimed the original and greatest Grand Tour, the one race that still transcends the sport of cycling: the Tour de France.

For the first time, Chasing the Rainbow tells the history of both the men’s and women’s road cycling’s World Championships.Chasing the Rainbow recounts the famous routes, momentous victories and the characters, climbs, and of course, the riders behind the infamous pursuit for one of road cycling’s greatest prizes: the Rainbow Jersey.Giles Belbin has conducted exclusive interviews with a whole host of Champions from the Tour’s illustrious past, including:  Oscar Frieire; Marianne Vos; Marcel Kint; Nicole Cooke; Yvonne Reynders; Keetie Van Oosten-Hage; Barry Hoban; Felice Gimondi; Mandy Jones; Stephen Roche; Catharine Marsal and Cadel Evans.

Cycling's vast history is a fascinating mix of gripping sporting moments, inspired pursuits and a whole host of heroes, hellions and legend-makers.From the death of the great Fausto Coppi through to the dominance of Sir Bradley Wiggins and the intrepid pursuits of iconic cyclists on the peaks of the Tour de France, cycling historian Giles Belbin brings together the most important, memorable and intriguing moments of the sport’s illustrious past.With striking and unique illustrations by artist Daniel Seex, each inspired by the stories told, A Ride Through the Greatest Cycling Stories is a sporting treasure trove of human virtue, vice and cycling trivia.