It makes a nice change to review a guidebook rather than travel literature. Especially when it's funny. Jerry Soverinsky, one-time comedian, now bike tour leader, is funny. In fact he sometimes finds it hard to stop being funny, which isn't necessarily a virtue in a guidebook. And then there are footnotes... which are funny. Maybe I'm just cranky because this book is squarely aimed at the US market, and some of the relentless jokes get a little tired for those of us who live and travel regularly in Europe.

The book has a lengthy introduction, in which Soverinsky appears to discuss life, the universe and, from time to time, cycle touring. No, I am being unfair. In fact once you wade through the jokes this is a good introduction to pedalling your way across, round and through Europe for those who may find such a thing daunting. In particular, he does a great job of demystifying things like what to bring, what to wear, and how to carry your money (i.e., exactly as you would at home). Although at times I wonder if he overestimates his countrymen's grasp of sarcasm. Telling them that "About 45 percent of European towns are wired for electricity," might well be taken as gospel by some!

Cycle Europe is at its best when he simply combines good advice with humour. On hotel phone calls:

"The only thing more expensive than the macadamia nuts in your hotel's minibar are hotel direct-dial phone calls. Unless your eyebrows have caught fire and you need urgent attention, opt for a phone card or cell phone."

The big problem with this book is that it's... well, big. Anyone travelling light in Europe (as cyclists are prone to do) probably wouldn't want to lug this round with them; especially as it covers 12 countries whereas a cyclist is unlikely to cover more than two in any one holiday. This is a book to read before you go, photocopy the relevant pages and then shelve away for the next trip.

But what about the actual cycle routes? Well, I'm restricted here in commenting on the countries I know best, namely the UK, Germany, France and Switzerland (that's a quarter of them; I also know Ireland and Holland quite well, but now I'm showing off). Soverinsky generally scores well on the detailed route descriptions. OK, I haven't actually followed any of them on a bike, but most of them are clear although some seem too simple, even if it is just a question of 'keep on this road for 20 kilometres'. What is missing though is much typical guidebook material on the places you can visit. With extensive contact details for tourist offices given there's a sense that you're left to do it yourself, but in a book this heavy I would expect some entertaining Lonely Planet/Rough Guide-style background.

To take one example, I have walked parts of the first half of the Interlaken to Bolle route; and with no description at all of what you might see, or of the towns along the way you get no sense of the place. In fact there are all sorts of things that Soverinsky might have added (some of which are even ripe for humour), such as the fact that some of the premium US cattle breeds originated from one of the valleys you follow (Simmental)! For some reason, Soverinsky adds more of the sightseeing material in the Switzerland mountain bike route ("Bicycling magazine called this trip 'One of the 50 Best Trips On Our Planet' (3/98), a generous compliment, though one I was sorry to learn did not carry with it a cash prize.").

Soverinsky has tried to write several books at one go -- as if this may be his only shot at published glory. We have the route book, we have the amusing intro book, and occasionally we have the travel writing... such as the several pages on his ignominious first camping trip to London (conclusion: don't camp in London; well, duh). Then there is an appendix with accommodation listings, but why not just add that to the relevant chapters? This follows his Final Considerations, which is yet another chance to be funny. Perhaps a less ambitious book would have been a more successful book.

Overall, I feel that a would-be European cycle adventurer would enjoy Cycle Europe, assuming they have a sense of humour. As Soverinsky says at the end of his intro,

"You might remain livid every time you think back to your European trip, and in the future, never venture further than your neigborhood Dairy Queen. If so, try the Peanut Buster® Parfait. Delish."

Overall verdict: Trying too hard to be hilarious, but with some lovely routes

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