Downhill All the Way: Cycling through France from La Manche to the Mediterranean

by Edward Enfield

A bicycling adventure from Le Havre to the Mediterranean  Fed up with questions about what he was going to do when he retired, Edward decided to get on his bicycle and ride from the Le Havre region in northwestern France to the Mediterranean. He struggled in Normandy to get directions from old men tipsy on Calvados by 9 a.m., passed by prairies of corn and acres of sunflowers, and hit his stride on the towpath of the Burgundy canal. He explored the mystery of what an "ouvrier" eats for lunch, and was barred from a swimming pool because his trunks were too decent. Through the Rhône and down to Provence and the Camargue, Enfield is witty and informative as always.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir, Cycling

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 27, 1995

Reviews

[Cath Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I much preferred Greece on my Wheels and bought a copy for our friends who were going to that part of Greece.

And so I had great expectations of this book. It was a pleasant but forgettable read.

[cloudyskye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exactly how I like my travelogues. The writer seems to be a genuinely kind person, his observation skills and education combined with a lovely sense of humour and respect for all those weird foreigners. I found myself wanting to meet him (and also his wife!) for a nice little chat. France is a big country, but he gave me the feeling I could actually do this, too.
He also confirmed what I had suspected from glimpses watching the Tour de France: rural France must indeed be lovely, with undiscovered gems and culinary pleasures everywhere. Some day ...

[Mat Greener · Rating 3 out of 5]

A leisurely cycling touring book. A light read / listen to. Not anyway near standard of Tim Moore books. Even so ok listen to & reasonably inspiring & many tips for touring

[Saleris · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertining book on a personal set of bicycle travels in France. I don't think, due to the scope and viewpoint of the writing, this really could be enjoyed by anyone under 40, but it would be interesting to see.

[Peze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, easy read. Full of practical information. Really only of interest to someone planning something similar.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was planning to cycle to Lourdes.

It is a good easy read which is light hearted and fun.

[Augustus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just like all travel books it lacked direction. Didn't finish it as it became boring.

[Jerome · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh I wanted this to end as quickly as possible. My hope was he would cycle to the nearest French airport, dump the bicycle, fly home and finish book there and then.

[Catherine Davison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew from the start that this would just be a very lighthearted look at cycling. It's very dated, my goodness how things have changed since the 1980s, I can't imagine carrying a Gladstone bag on a bike, nor travelling anywhere without my mobile phone with google maps. I particularly enjoyed the illustrations by Bailey which reminded me in a comforting way of all my childhood chapter books. This is simply a charming, easy read full of personality. I think there was only one reference to Lycra in the whole book.

[Julian Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gentle, lolloping soliloquy to a solo bicycle trip from southern England to the South of France.

Entertainingly peppered with curious observations on customs, people and bureaucratic red tape, this is a humorous read and, for me, a much-needed, refreshing escape from another project.

Enjoyable and encouraging - but equally suitable for those more minded to travel from the comfort of their own armchair.

[Kriegslok]

A light and fairly entertaining read about a light and fairly entertaining bike ride.

[Brenda Nutter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been better if I was more familiar with the areas he travelled through. He did make it sound like just about any one could so this route and that was encouraging to a novice.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light and entertaining, slow in places but certainly has given me an appetite to travel though France on a bike at some point in my life!

[Zach Strassburger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable memoir.

[Hedi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muheda papi reisijutt