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Lost Lanes Central

10
£16.99

VERDICT:

10
10
Already a fan of Lost Lanes? You won't be disappointed. Not yet read one of Jack Thurston’s books? Prepare to be addicted...
Inspiring
Easy to read
Informative without being too heavy
Weight: 
646g
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Here it is, the long-awaited fifth book in the Lost Lanes series. With the well-deserved success of Jack Thurston's original Lost Lanes, Lost Lanes Wales, West and North, much is expected of Lost Lanes Central. Having had my hands on a copy for a few weeks, I'm pretty confident fans and new readers will be very happy.

It only takes a brief dive into Lost Lanes Central to understand why we've had to wait two years since Thurston's last collection – the northern nuggets reviewed by Neil back in 2020.

The book largely follows the same format as the previous ones – why change a successful formula? That's not to say Thurston's workload load has been cut. Granted, his concept of lost lanes and 'practicalities' haven't really changed but, from then on, it's a unique and absorbing series of informative sections that build to the rides themselves.

An eight-page appreciation of the Heartlands – Thurston could sell this region to anyone – is followed by the usual 'Best For...' groupings; a familiar layout for readers of previous Lost Lanes. No group is left out – families, wild swimmers, fans of history and the arts, wild campers, gravellers and overnight travellers to name just a few.

The main body of the book features 36 rides that span the debatable north-south divide. I'd say about a third are in the 'north', a third in the 'south' and a third in the real 'central' band of the country (I'm a North Yorkshire lass living in the Cotswolds, so may define 'north' differently to some). In short, it covers a pretty big area, with the most southerly ride starting in Cirencester and the most northerly in Louth, which is also the most easterly start point. At the western edge, there are rides taking in Monmouth, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch and Bridgenorth, giving a slight overlap with Lost Lanes Wales.

2022 Lost Lanes Central by Jack Thurston - pages 4.jpg

Descriptions aren't in any way laborious; rather, they're informative and tempting. Thurston doesn't detail every turn or climb, preferring to focus on sights, culture, geography and vista detailing. Reading these descriptions makes you fully comprehend why we've waited two years for this latest collection; they are passionately researched, meticulously plotted and thoughtfully devised.

Thurston seems to uncover trails, tracks and towpaths that can bypass – or run straight through – busy towns before placing you on narrow, tranquil lanes heading to the middle of nowhere. I'm not a fan of riding through towns yet have been utterly impressed with the sections that avoid the traffic-laden main streets of Stourport, Ledbury and Worcester, to name but a few. On each occasion, the routes approaching the built-up areas still offered great views of the towns, so I never felt like I was missing anything.

> 42 of the best cycling books — check out the books every cyclist should own

Some rides are coupled, or very closely grouped, offering options to 'make a trip out it'. There's even a point-to-point, taking you from Birmingham to Warwick. Start points are accessible by railway, though I'd say starting anywhere along the route is fine if that makes it more convenient. The direction is important, though, Thurston's planning genuinely offers the best vistas.

Each ride description is accompanied by an easy-to-read map (also available to download as a gpx file), elevation and distance, plus a list of pit stops, pubs and potential accommodation. There are even details of bike shops on many.

2022 Lost Lanes Central by Jack Thurston - pages 2.jpg
2022 Lost Lanes Central by Jack Thurston - pages 3.jpg

It's impossible to overlook the photography. Jack Thurston does well to capture views, features and atmosphere in each of the images – only a small number aren't taken by himself.

2022 Lost Lanes Central by Jack Thurston - pages 5.jpg

If you aren't yet a convert, you should know that the Lost Lanes routes are for those who prefer to ride for pleasure than pain. Having ridden several of them in the height of summer, I can vouch for just how narrow some lanes become as the hedgerows are in full throttle. These aren't for those chasing Strava segments or hoping to put in an interval or two... you need to be ready to pull up for farm traffic and horses, equally, be ready to enjoy natters with other Lost Lanes fans – the kind of cyclist who has time to chat.

> Why your next bike should be a touring bike

If you haven't read any of Thurston's books, you're in for a treat, admittedly one that comes with a warning of addiction... I've had to ration myself so as not to run out of rides too quickly. If you're a convert, you'll be left willing him to visit Scotland or Ireland.

At £16.99, this book is serious value for money. Not that I'm a mathematician, but it's approximately 47p per route – 47p for hours and hours of the author's painstaking research and planning... It's a bargain – and though you can find deals online, in my opinion it should be bought directly from him as a gesture of appreciation (he'll even sign it for you) – you'll dip into this book more than you care to think.

In the modern day of online route planning it's wonderfully refreshing to hold a book that gives you well in excess of 30 routes on a plate, educates you about the surroundings you'll be riding through, and inspires you to discover your own lost lanes.

Verdict

Already a fan of Lost Lanes? You won't be disappointed. Not yet read one of Jack Thurston’s books? Prepare to be addicted...

road.cc test report

Make and model: Lost Lanes Central by Jack Thurston

Size tested: Paperback

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

From the publisher:

Lost Lanes Central takes you on a freewheeling tour of the most beautiful landscapes in Central England:

-Route overviews and maps

-Best pubs and cafes

-Overnight stops, from B&B's to camping under stars

-Wild swims, breathtaking views and fascinating history

-How to access the rides by train (no car required!).

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Publisher : Wild Things Publishing Ltd (2 May 2022)

Language : English

Paperback : 256 pages

ISBN-10 : 1910636347

ISBN-13 : 978-1910636343

Dimensions : 17.78 x 2.54 x 20.32 cm

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Very nicely bound with sleeves that can act as page markers.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Literally everything you need to ride the route, from the GPS track, to details about pit-stops, accommodation, historical and cultural detail, lie of the land, oh and photos to boot.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Painstakingly researched routes that bypass busy, potentially stressful link roads.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Superbly presented compilation of inspiring, extensively researched and considered routes for those who just love to 'lose themselves' on the bike.

Overall rating: 10/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 173cm  Weight: 64kg

I usually ride: Road  My best bike is: Carbon road.

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, general fitness riding, Getting to grips with off roading too!

Emma’s first encounters with a road bike were in between swimming and running. Soon after competing for GB in the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in Edmonton in 2001 she saw the light and decided to focus on cycling. 

After a couple of half decent UK road seasons racing for Leisure Lakes, she went out to Belgium to sample the racing there and spent two years with Lotto-Belisol Ladies team, racing alongside the likes of Sara Carrigan, Grace Verbeke, Rochelle Gilmore and Lizzie Deignan. Emma moved from Lotto-Belisol to Dutch team Redsun, then a new Belgian team of primarily developing riders, where there was less pressure, an opportunity to share her experience and help build a whole new team; a nice way to spend her final years of professional racing. 

Since retiring Emma has returned to teaching. When not coercing kids to do maths, she is invariably out on two wheels. In addition to the daily commute, Emma still enjoys getting out on her road bike and having her legs ripped off on the local club rides and chain gangs. She has also developed an addiction to touring, with destinations including Iceland, Georgia and Albania, to mention just a few. There have also been rare sightings of Emma off-road on a mountain bike…

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4 comments

Avatar
pockstone | 2 years ago
2 likes

+1  for Lost Lanes North, opens up a wealth of multi day possibilities. I know that you're slaves to the mighty advertising algorithm but it's a shame that your article includes two ads for Amazon. As the text of the article states, the books are available direct from the author. Follow the link in the article and see that Jack gets his due reward.

Avatar
Freddy56 | 2 years ago
0 likes

Ive the Southern addition and found it too much about 'Jack in the lanes', rather than cycling in the lanes. Too self absorbed to be an easy read.

Avatar
Sanshelmut | 2 years ago
0 likes

I love my Lost Lanes Wales book. I've used it so much.

Avatar
jaymack replied to Sanshelmut | 2 years ago
0 likes

Ditto for the Southern edition, the Lost lane series are magical books to use time and time again.

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