First, they answer the big questions: how to get rider and bike there in one piece, and keep both in good shape on the road.

Cyclists demand good maps, and these have been specifically designed and drawn with cyclists' needs in mind. Each map carries one or more keyed cue sheets, which contain all the essential directions for a day's ride. Elevation profiles chart hilly days, and symbols indicate services in towns along the way. It's all packaged together on one page for convenient access on the road.

Background material for each day, including selected accommodation options (including camping), where to eat or buy food, and bike shops along the route, is nearby.

Like all Lonely Planet guides, Cycling Guides are compact and built to last -- and they're designed to fold flat, slip into a handlebar bag and go.
-- up to 40 rides per book, ranging in length from one day to three weeks, mapped and described in detail
-- a selection of the best mountain bike rides
-- illustrated instructions on do-it-yourself bicycle maintenance, bicycle setup, loading a bike for touring
-- tips for staying healthy on the road including essential first aid, nutrition, stretching routines
-- useful synopsis of the destination country's road rules
-- featured special sections: the Tour de France in Cycling France; the Land's End to John o'Groats ride in Cycling Britain
-- information on the cyclists' network, with contact details, for pre-trip research and on-the-road back-up
-- where to stay andeat, and what to see and do, when not in the saddle
-- where to find bike shops for repairs or rental

Lonely Planet provides in one book all the information a cyclist will need for a tour of Britain, including Wales and Scotland. "Facts for Cyclists" provides practical information on when to ride, a checklist of what to bring, information on buying or renting locally, a list of cycling events, and Internet resources. There's a detailed introduction to the British cycle-touring scene, with tips on how to get to and from Heathrow Airport and how to use the excellent rail network to cover more of the island. There are tips for senior, disabled, and gay and lesbian cyclers, and those riding with children, as well as lists of which airlines are bicycle friendly and how to pack and transport your bike. The "Health and Safety" chapter explains the British rules of the road, and gives tips for getting and staying fit. It discusses treatments for common ailments on the road, and even explains how to avoid the "bonk." As well, there's the usual information on where to stay, what to eat, and what to see, and photographs (though the latter are on the small and skimpy side). With the inclusion of a chapter on bicycle maintenance and repair, this is one excellent, all-purpose guide. Be sure to make room for it in your pannier. --Lesley Reed