New Book Maps the History of Le Tour de France

With the 100th edition of Le Tour de France coming to a close on Sunday 21st with Britain's Chris Froome in first place, one book charts the history of the cycling race through maps.

Mapping Le Tour charts the course of every race route in cycling’s most prestigious event, including a special section on this year’s 100th Tour de France.

With a map of each edition of the Tour de France, along with photographs, text on the history of the race, and lists of the stages, winners and key statistics, Mapping Le Tour is essential reading for any cycling fan.

Each Tour de France race map is accompanied by statistics, including:

• Race and stage distances • Highest point • Number of starters and finishers • Average speed • Jersey winners

Twenty of Le Tour’s iconic locations – many of which have featured in the Etape du Tour – are put under the spotlight, and an extended section on the 2013 race is included, with detailed maps and statistics on each of this year’s stages.

Taking the title by more than four minutes, Froome linked arms with his team-mates as he crossed the line in Paris. It is Britain's second successive victory in the race - Froome's Team Sky colleague Sir Bradley Wiggins became the first Briton to win it a year ago.   

Perth book launch reconnects stories with the people who inspired them

Villagers from Perthshire villages Guildtown and Wolfhill gathered at the RSGS Headquarters this week, along with writers and environmentalists for the local launch of a new short story book - "Beacons - Stories for our not so distant future".

Mike Robinson, who managed the climate challenge funded project in the two villages said : "This project has taken nearly seven years to get to this point, and we are grateful to the people of Wolfhill and Guildtown for their support, and to the stellar list of authors who have all contributed stories."

Authors were invited to spend a weekend in discussion with locals, leading environmentalists and a range of experts.   The authors gave poetry and prose readings for villagers, ran sessions for local children in how to draw cartoons, and took part in a ceilidh and a number of other social events.    This initiative has resulted in the publication of this book of short stories.   Expenses and costs were funded by the Climate Challenge Fund and the Sibthorp Trust.

Gregory Norminton, the book's editor who put a huge effort into recruiting authors and publishing the book said, “This book is intended to communicate to the heart and imagination, in a way that much scientific literature struggles to do.    Some people seem to fear change more than they fear climate change.   We hope this book of short stories will challenge, engage, amuse and inspire people and that it might encourage people to think about the sorts of changes they can make to help.”

Beacons: Stories for our Not So Distant Future.

This week sees the publication of a book of short stories by leading UK authors depicting visions of a positive sustainable future, which was inspired by the villages of Guildtown and Wolfhill.     During the Climate Challenge Funded GW Carbon CAP scheme ten authors were invited to spend the weekend in discussion with locals, leading environmentalists and a range of experts.   The authors gave poetry and prose readings for villagers, ran sessions for local children in how to draw cartoons, and took part in a ceilidh and a number of other social events.    Expenses and costs were funded by the Climate Challenge Fund and the Sibthorp Trust. 

Authors meet in Wolfhill.

After the weekend, the writers were challenged to create their own short stories.    In all, twenty one leading authors have contributed stories to the book, and the list is very impressive, including people such as Alasdair Gray (author of Lanark), AL Kennedy (author of Day and So I Am Glad), Janice Galloway (author of The Trick is To Keep Breathing), Joanne Harris (author of Chocolat) and cartoonist Nick Hayes, who has drawn a graphic short story and designed the book’s cover. By engaging such talented writers, who can portray positive and engaging stories of the social and quality of life benefits of taking positive action, it is hoped that more people should be able to visualise and be willing to embrace the sorts of necessary change. 

Beacons: Stories for our not so distant future.

The Book, entitled ‘Beacons, Stories for our not so distant future’ was released on March 8th, during the UK Government’s Climate Week, and is the brain child of Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of RSGS, who along with the editor Gregory Norminton, has been looking to get this book written and produced for the past seven years.    It retails at £8.99 from One world publications, and a donation from every book sold will go towards Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, the largest coalition ever formed in Scotland, which continues to seek positive action on climate change, and which Mike helped found and chaired from 2006-2010.

Mike said “This book is intended to communicate to the heart and imagination, in a way that much scientific literature struggles to do.    Some people seem to fear change more than they fear climate change.   We hope this book of short stories will challenge, engage, amuse and inspire people and that it might encourage people to think about the sorts of changes they can make to help.”