Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION (1) PART 1: PRACTICAL INFORMATIONWhat kind of bike? (Touring , MTB, Trekking, Tandem, Recumbent, Which frame material- steel or aluminum, Folding bikes), Buying new: Top ten internationally available bikes, Setting up your bike for the Big Ride (Wheels, Tires, Gears, Pedals, Saddle, Comfort, Seat position, Saddle position, Handlebars - type, adjustment, padding), Load carrying (Racks, Panniers, Trailers, Bar bag and other add-ons), Bike Equipment Checklist (Tools, Spares & Repairs), Clothing (Bike shorts, Footwear, General clothing suggestions & lists), Camping Gear (Tent, Bag & Mat, Stove, Filter), Other gear (bike computer, altimeter, GPS, headlights. Electronics & Communications), Health and ailments (Vaccinations, First Aid kit, bikers ailments, Stress & fatigue, Survival rules) (2) PART 2: TRANS-CONTINENTAL ROUTE OUTLINESEurope (France & Spain, Mediterranean route, Northern Europe, Danube, Alps. Eastern Europe), Asia (Overland - Central Asian route, Southern route (Turkey, Iran, Pakistan etc.), India, Central Asia, China & Tibet, Himalaya and Karakoram, SE Asia, Japan), North America (Classic routes, East to West, West coast, Great Divide MTB route, Baja California), Central & South America, Australasia (Gold Coast, Nullarbor & South coast, Biking NZ), Africa, Capetown to Mombassa (3) TALES FROM THE SADDLE10 new tales of contributors' adventures (4) APPENDICES (5) INDEX

About the Author

Neil & Harriet Pike have cycled extensively in Europe, Asia and South America. They began their travels by buying bikes in Istanbul, Turkey, and cycling home to Oxford. An 18-month bike tour through the Andes followed, igniting a passion for cycling high roads which led to a traverse of the Himalaya and other parts of Asia. They blog at pikesonbikes.com and run the website andesbybike.com. They are the authors of another Trailblazer title: Peru's Cordilleras Blanca and Huayhuash - The Hiking & Biking Guide. When not travelling they live in Bristol, England.

Reviews

'a real bible for adventure cyclists' Cycle magazine, CTC, December 2015/ January 2016; Review for previous edition: 'the definitive guide to how, where, why and what to do on a cycle expedition...' Adventure Travel Magazine.