Ultimate Etapes: Ride Europe's Greatest Cycling Stages

Just got it staying up late reading it. Well written by someone who obviously loves cycling and it's history. Beautiful photos. Great info about local fondos.

From the writer of the excellent books Alpe d'Huez, The Monuments, A Clean Break, Tour de France 100 & Two Days in Yorkshire, one would expect another brilliant book, and Ultimate Etapes, is just that, extra brilliant. A beautiful coffee table sized book of 224 pages, superbly written and accompanied by stunning photographs of the 25 etapes featured.Peter Cossins, is not only a talented writer, but a true bike rider, who has a deep knowledge and understanding of what it takes to attempt to ride the stages included in the book.The book is a labour of love by a writer who has done what he writes about with passion and understanding of the sport.What is special about the book, is that it features some lesser known stages of the major European Tours. Most readers, riders will know the famous stages, but Ultimate Etapes, includes etapes to ride like Utrecht- Zeeland, Singen -Feldberg, Ajaccio-Calvi, & Bellinzona-Grindlewald, hidden gems that must be explored.The book does what it intends to do,it stirs the imagination, emotions and desire to attempt the rides featured. After reading just a few pages you want to grab your bike and head of to Europe, and enjoy the pain and suffering of conquering the roads ridden by our heroes.A truly brilliant book, a must for anyone who rides a bike. Congratulations Peter, a masterpiece.

A present for my cyclist son who enjoyed reading it