Bikes Reviews

I have mixed feelings about this book -- there are sections which are extraordinarily helpful, and then he spoils it. The most useful sections, and ones which other touring books would be wise to emulate, are his selections of helpful letters to various people (hotels, cycling shops, etc.) written in French for the linguistically challenged (like me). However, contrary to the remarks of the previous reviewer, my wife and I found that the selection of roads was not small country lanes -- even when they paralleled the route selected by Mr. Simpson.

We toured through the Dordogne and Mr. Simpson's route both out of Bordeaux, and then later in the trip the section from Cahors back towards Bordeaux were on major roads when wonderful alternatives were at hand. We found this inexplicable. For the first part of the book I rate it at 5 stars -- but as the route selection is so marginal (at least where we tried to use it) I have to downgrade to 3. The best of both worlds was to use this book for preparation, and then another for actual route planning. For that I highly recommend the Whitehill's book, 14 Tours Geared for Discovery.

Jerry H. Simpson Jr. became interested in bicycling in France when he started touring France while part of the American Army stationed in France after WWII. While the book lacks glitz, the routes he has picked are extraodinarily good. Most of them utilize small, rural, lightly trafficed farm road (tertiary roads) in excellent condition. While this was published in 1992, and Simpson does not plan a new edition, it, still, is simply the best

It is kind of cool to have actual tire tread on the cover. But I did get this because I like mountain biking, and it was on sale. Anyway. Basically just a history lesson. Does have great pictures, but also plenty to read. It covers everything from the very first fat tire bikes, right up through disc brakes and any other advances from recent history. If I remember correctly it also comments on the people and culture of biking through the years. Nothing too deep. Like someone else said, good coffee table book.

This book is best bought for the pictures. The photography is awesome. You dont learn techniques, but you learn history and personalities. I thought that the pictures were so beautiful that the book is worth it just for them. I got the book at the library but plan to buy it for myself.

There are some great rides in the 2 books he wrote. This is some kind of bible for the washington state. Be aware that those books are 10 years old!!

Be careful if you buy this book. It is 10 years old and many of the trails have been closed. If you are looking for a place to start in Washington it covers almost the entire state.

I thought that Mountain Bike Mania was a pretty cool book.
I really like to ride Mounatin bikes and I felt as though I was the one riding the bike in the story. You really felt like you were in the middle of the action. I like the way Matt Christopher writes and would like to read another one of his books. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to ride mountain or dirt bikes.

This book is about a kid (Will Mathews) who is very lousy and in't good at any sports. But one day he goes hiking only to see three mountain bikers that are having a blast. After Will saw them he jouined the club that they were in and soon was having as much fun as the people they saw. Unfortunatly his friend hates to mountain bike and that startes a whole mess that no one knows if it will be over. This book was so good that I read on my own.(I don't like to read that much) If you are looking for a good book and love sports (speceialy mountain biking) then I strongly, absolutly recomend this book to all yong sports lovers for this is the book for YOU! Although the book is not fully about mountain biking(I do wish that it had) it was still a great book. Of course their are probably better books out their that have your name on them and some of them might be one of Matt Christerphor (the aothore)

The book is useful, and provides good insights into the rides described if you happen to live close to a number of rides. There are two considerations that make the book less useful than it should be.

First, the rides, as the title suggests, are short - some are less than 10 miles. Second, since Connecticut is a large state, you can expect to be a very substantial distance from any particular ride. While it might be worth it to drive 50-100 miles to participate in a bike trip of 50 miles, if the bike trip is only 10 miles, then the drive doesn't necessarily seem worth it.

This book is great for anyone who wants to go out for a short Bike ride in the morning or evening or anytime. The instructions to get to a riding route are easy enough to follow that a person can usually find the route without a map, Although it is always good to have one. The book gives sites to see along the routes, as well as difficulty, Safety, and a detailed map with text describing what to do with all 36 routes. All in all a good book for any one who wants to go for a short, scenic bike ride in Connecticut.

Are there more bike shops per capita in Rochester or is it just that so many people want to enjoy the outdoors from May through October? I can't think of a more enjoyable source of weekend r&r than taking one of the trails suggested in this book. There are good suggestions for ability, the maps are adequate, and the directions to the start of the trail are clear. The only thing I'd add to this book is an online link for printable maps so I don't have to take the book (although pocketable) along. A must for any Rochesterian who wants to enjoy the trails around town.

A great resource for people looking for good bike trails in the Rochester area. Easy-to-read maps of trails and locations, plus descriptions and difficulty ratings. A must-have for the avid Rochesterian biker! :~)

If you want beautiful photos, get this calendar. But don't expect to read anything about the planes. If you want to learn about WW2 airplanes, buy the Library of Congress' "American Military Aircraft of World War II."

The Finger Lakes region is a wonderful area to explore by bicycle! Blue, deep lakes; green, cool forests; and red, brick towns like Cornell, contribute to the anticipation of turning a corner, or cresting a hill. For first time visitors, Sally Walter's and Mark Roth's book is like having a local take you on the ride, pointing out a waterfall, a place to stop for lunch, or which hill is a killer and worth the climb. It's like seeing the area for the first time, the colors, smells, impressions, with a tour guide in your back pocket. The book gives clear directions and mileages. Good advice on route choices. And this updated version has the local eateries and bikeshops categorized. It easy to string several of the suggested rides together for a longer tour. Or, pick one with a bail out for the less mileage inclined. While we did not do all the rides in the book, the one's we did do were just as described. Use the book if you are planning a trip to the Finger Lakes, even if you don't take your bike.

This book was a nice introduction to some of the bike paths in New England. The path descriptions, for the paths I have ridden, were very accurate. The only thing missing were detailed maps of the trails themselves.

Gutkind's motorcycling memoir dates from a time some 30 years ago when motorcycle touring was much more of a seat-of-the-pants kind of enterprise. There was no Gore-Tex, helmet technology was primitive, bikes were low-tech, the Interstate system was a work in progress and trash bags were a passable substitute for real rain gear. Gutkind chronicled his adventures on a BMW /5 series bike in such a glorious way as to trigger my first mid-life crisis and got me into motorcycling. I dug out my copy the other day and found myself grinning over a passage in which Gutkind captures the joy of riders chasing each other up and down the mountains and valleys of West Virgina.
Yes, it's dated material, but it's also guaranteed to make you want to go for a ride. This is a worthwhile addition to every motorcyclist's library.