'A wonderfully entertaining and deeply inspirational adventure by one of life's great enthusiasts' – Tim Moore, travel writer

A slow, low-carbon journey by bike through Europe’s western fringes. Part personal pilgrimage and part manifesto for green travel, join Martin in his search for perfect waves and the soul of surfing.

Chasing the sun south from his home in Cornwall, bestselling author and environmental campaigner Martin Dorey follows in the footsteps of the pioneers who discovered Europe’s best waves. On an epic journey of 3400km, Martin and his wife Lizzy take on the ultimate eco surfing adventure – riding eBikes with their surfboards in tow.

Powered by patisseries and pastéis de nata, and returning to form after a disastrous knee injury, Martin hopes cycling will give him time to reconnect with his surfing past as he seeks out the stories and oral history that make the surf breaks of littoral Europe so very special.

The Way of the Waves is a love letter to wave riding, eco-travel and freedom. It’s a testament to taking your time, understanding that the hills don’t last forever, keeping the pedals turning and hoping that mind, body and soul – and the wheels of the trailer – will go the distance.

How can those of us who love the world explore it without harming it? Like this! Martin Dorey’s book is a perfect example that adventure does not require expensive aeroplanes spewing pollution. A couple enjoying slow travel, sunshine, the open road, and the finest surf spots along the way: I am completely jealous of this adventure! * Alastair Humphreys, adventurer and author *
An epic adventure in ethical travel to the beating heart of waveriding. This is a brilliant read, interweaving the waves, wisdom and characters that have shaped surfing. Above all, the three-month, 3,400km trip sets a gold standard in sustainable surf travel. ‘Inspirational' is an understatement. * Sam Bleakley, author of Mindfulness and Surfing *
An epic ride in search of freedom, adventure – and the best surf in Europe * The Guardian *
A wonderfully entertaining and deeply inspirational adventure by one of life's great enthusiasts. * Tim Moore, travel writer *

Martin Dorey is a writer, surfer and lifelong camper. He is the author of the bestselling Take the Slow Road travel series and No. More. Plastic, and in 2011 he presented the BBC2 TV programme ‘One Man and his Camper Van’. He is the founder of a beach cleaning charity, The 2 Minute Foundation, for which he was awarded an MBE for services to the environment in 2023. He loves bikes but hates hills. @martindorey www.martindorey.com