Product Description

'It had been so amazingly hot that I felt myself about to dissolve into a kind of creme brulee on the road, so I bought some super-power Number 8 suncream. This had the word Bronzante on it, and must have contained some dye or other chemical because my knees stayed brown until February.' Fed up with questions about what he was going to do when he retired, Edward decided to get on his bicycle and ride from Le Havre to the Mediterranean. He struggled in Normandy to get directions from old men tipsy on Calvados by 9 a.m., passed by prairies of corn and acres of sunflowers, and hit his stride on the towpath of the Burgundy canal. He explored the mystery of what an ouvrier eats for lunch, and was barred from a swimming pool because his trunks were too decent. Through the Rhone and down to Provence and the Camargue, Enfield is witty and informative as always.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25911 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Review
"'witty and often well-observed' The Sunday Telegraph 'wry and dry and hugely enjoyable' London Evening Standard 'Enfield not only impresses - he informs and delights' Wanderlust"

sixtyplusurfers.co.uk - online magazine for the over 60's, June 2007
"a witty and extremely entertaining book... a delight from start
to finish... charming and above all very funny."

About my generation.com, July 2007
"Would make an excellent read when sitting around the pool this
summer"

Customer Reviews

A Must have for all travel writing enthusiasts
Having enjoyed Greece on my Wheels I decided to purchase Mr Enfield senior's earlier book. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. The writing is excellent and the author makes you want to dust down your old bike and get pedalling right away. The author brings the French countryside to your home with his excellent writing and really makes you feel you are going on the journey with him.
If you buy only one travel book this year make it this one....and if you buy two make sure you also buy Greece on My Wheels!

A great memory jogger
I bought this book to read in Greece during the week before I embarked upon a Channel to the Med ride. I got distracted by temperatures of 116F and other reading materials and resolved to read it on the coach ferrying me to Calais from Leeds. Having then been distracted by good conversation on the coach I carried the book unread the length of France as I had full days and was too drunk at then end of the day to read....
I finally read it on my return to the UK and was so glad I 'saved' it until after the event. Reading the book beforehand would have solved some of the mysteries of the experiences that I had in France but more often than not, it rekindled memories of events that seemed trivial at the time of riding. A substantial part of my route coincided with the writer's and I shared many experiences with the author. The gentle humour of the book is wonderful and I only wish that I had managed to experience the plate shuffling ritual witnessed by the author.
Anyone wanting to experience a Channel to Med ride without having to do anything more vigorous then the effort to turn pages are well served by reading this book. Anyone wanting inspiration to 'Getting out there and doing it' will also benefit by buying the book.

A great little read for francophiles or cyclists!
I've enjoyed a couple of Edward's books now. He is obviously a nice English gentleman and it shows through in his writing.

It is a gentle roll through France describing the places he visited along the way. I look forward to "Greece on my Wheels" next!