After almost a decade of reporting on the exploits of the pro peloton, raconteur Felix Lowe takes to the saddle and sets out to conquer the road from Barcelona to Rome. Powered by local delicacies, painkillers and imaginary fans, Lowe pedals his way through three countries and over three mountain ranges, taking in some of the sport's most fabled climbs. Following in the tracks of the world's greatest wheelmen, he puts professional cycling's three major stage races - the Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana and Giro d'Italia - under the microscope, whilst capturing the potent mix of madness, humour and human spirit that fuels stage winners and pedal spinners alike. Tracing the footsteps of the celebrated Carthaginian general Hannibal, who led his own pachyderm peloton of thirty-seven elephants over the Alps and all the way to the gates of Rome, Lowe's epic quest pays homage to the sport, examines the psychology of both the crazed amateur and the pedalling pro, and delves into the awesome march of a military genius who almost brought the Roman Empire to its knees.

Lowe keeps up a flow of good-humoured chat and at the end he is a changed man - an aching but ardent pelotonist. The Times Excellent... erudite, pun-filled, often bawdy and never less than absolutely delightful to read. The Jersey Pocket There's a touch of Tim Moore here... You will laugh and maybe wince as Lowe laughs his way around the Mediterranean. The Inner Ring Not only does [Lowe] own a particularly neat turn of phrase but knows the strategic points at which to use it. There is not one chapter that does not pass by without causing you to smile out loud. A cleverly constructed and well-written tale... The Washing Machine Post Holy shit! That's longer than a Grand Tour. And is that Hannibal as in Hannibal Lecter? It's gonna be a bloody massacre ... -- Greg LeMond

Felix Lowe is best known by his alter ego Blazin' Saddles, whose incredibly popular Eurosport blog has become the go-to place for an irreverent and authoritative take on the world of cycling. Over the past decade Felix has covered the major cycling races in the pro calendar, writing for Eurosport, CycleSport and the Telegraph. He also writes a monthly column for Cyclist magazine.