‘The Great Road Climbs of the Pyrenees’ by Graeme Fife

Rapha is publishing a unique cycling guide to the great cols of the Pyrenees to be launched on 13 March 2008. Titled ‘The Great Road Climbs of the Pyrenees’, it is not a conventional guide to the Pyrenees. Whilst facts and guidance are offered on obscure and well-known Pyrenean cols, the gripping element is rather a highly personal exploration by author Graeme Fife of the variety and peculiarity of the region that leaves the reader with a colourful and memorable picture. Fife combines careful historical research with a swift narrative style and, supported by beautiful photographic portrayals of the imposing landscapes by Pete Drinkell, The Great Road Climbs of the Pyrenees gives plenty of encouragement to visit the area. The book is an absolute must for any true enthusiast.

Says Graeme Fife, “I’ve ridden a lot of mountains in France, Italy and Spain and this book is a celebration of what took me there in the first place – curiosity, what kept me there – the challenge and the beauty, and what has drawn me back again and again and again – the enduring bewitchment of the high places in all their variety, their changes of mood, their stunning perspectives, the peculiar magic of all that is in and around them”.

Rapha Managing Director Simon Mottram says: “This is truly an inspiring guide to the cols in the Pyrenees that have served as the stage for some of the most memorable battles of will and endurance at the Tour de France and Vuelta. This book gets to the core of what makes riding in these mountains such an amazing experience. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Graeme on the project over the last three years”.

‘The Great Road Climbs of the Pyrenees’ by Graeme Fife is available from the Rapha website and costs £40.

Graeme Fife has written several best-selling cycling books, including ‘Tour de France, the Legends, the Riders’, ‘Inside The Peloton’ and ‘The Beautiful Machine’. Graeme has written for,
and ridden with Rapha on many occasions. Pete Drinkell is a professional photographer with wide editorial and advertising experience. He is also a keen cyclist and competes regularly in triathlon, duathlon and road races.