Editor’s note: I have set a goal to read 26 books in 2019, and review them upon completion. Below is my review of Along the Med on a Bike called Reggie, the 3rd book I have completed so far this year.
Without meaning to, I have been reading Andrew P. Sykes books about touring across Europe in reverse order. I read his newest book, “Spain to Norway on a bike called Reggie” back in December. This month I finished his middle tome, “Along the Med on a bike called Reggie”. Guess I’ll have to read his first foray into bicycle touring across Europe, “Crossing Europe on a bike called Reggie”, soon.
Mr. Sykes is not only excels at describing the day to day travails and triumphs of long distance bicycle touring, he is an outstanding tour guide of the places and sites that he travels to. We get history and cultural lessons of the towns nad countries he passes through, vivid descriptions of the passing landscapes and humorous interactions with many of the locals. His books are fun and informative.
Along the Med with a bike named Reggie finds Mr. Sykes beginning his journey in Greece, and follows his adventures through the 11 European countries that border the Mediterranean Sea until he finishes up on the Atlantic Ocean coast of Portugal. Along the way we take a tour of Greek ruins, a Croatian war memorial, backstreets of Venice and much more. I envy Mr. Sykes very much.
Along the Med is a pretty thick book for a bicycling touring book. Most books of this type usually clock in around 300 pages, while this one pushes close to 500. All those details add up!
Near the end of the book, Mr. Sykes describes how he was becoming physically and mentally weary as his trip drew to a close. As much as I enjoyed this book I too was getting a little weary of reading about it as I neared the final chapter. It was becoming a tad tedious.
Still, I highly recommend this book if you are at all interested in bicycle touring. I give it 3 and a half thumbs up.
A fun account of a bicycle tour along the Mediterranean Sea, filled with history lessons, beautiful scenery and interesting characters along the way. Entertaining, but a bit of a slog at the end.
Epilogue: Hope you enjoyed this post. Comments, book recommendations and writing tips are always welcome. If you don’t wish to post comments on this site, feel free to email me at: Mrvintageman2@gmail.com.
