Steve Silk is a journalist working for BBC Look East in Norwich. His two previous books The Wherryman's Way and Hidden Riverside Norwich saw him take to a canoe to explore the Norfolk Broads. He's now more comfortable on an old-fashioned touring bike with a pannier full of obsolete maps and flapjack.
An enjoyable ode to a road that cyclists planning a trip will love, with entertaining nuggets of trivia and history for anyone who has ever hit the A1 for a long drive. Silk is a man on a mission, snaking alongside the main carriages on his winding passage by bike north via many a cafe and old coaching inn (many of which Charles Dickens visited, apparently). This journey may just give the lockdown Lycra brigade ideas. * Tom Chesshyre * I love this book. I love the idea of considering something as mundane and utilitarian as the A1(M) in a fascinating, historical context. Who knew that behind this seemingly endless snake of concrete and tarmac lies the makings of a fabulous journey of pilgrimage? It is a joy to learn about the background to Steve's journey and to follow him as he makes his way along his very own Great North Road. * Rachel Ann Cullen * I was going to ride the Great North Road and write about it... but in the light of this annoyingly good book, I won't. * Tim Moore * Weaving the history of the old road with the colour and the characters of today, Steve proves that any journey is an adventure if you know where to look. * Alastair Humphreys *