Sign-In
Cart
The Greenwich Meridian: Straight Lines and Bad Ideas
Paperback
Series: History Rides
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Feb 22 2026
Pages: 326
Weight: 0.71
Height: 0.68 Width: 5.00 Depth: 8.00
Language: English
What kind of cyclist decides to follow an invisible line that controls global time?
The kind who enjoys a cycling adventure with a side order of British history, questionable navigation and the occasional existential wobble.
In Straight Lines and Bad Ideas, I set out to bike tour the Greenwich Meridian from the rugged east coast of England to the English Channel. On a map it's a perfectly straight line. In reality it's hills, hedgerows, medieval battlefields, Cold War paranoia, Roman roads, wandering Napoléon references and a stubborn refusal to stay flat when you really need it to.
This is not a route guide. It's a humorous travel memoir about long-distance cycling through England's past and present. As the miles tick by, the Prime Meridian becomes a thread stitching together castles, bombers, barons, pubs, effigies and the strange satisfaction of pedalling across centuries of history on two slightly overworked wheels.
If you love cycling books, bike touring stories, British travel writing or funny non-fiction with real historical depth, this ride is for you. It's about maps, momentum and the joy of chasing something utterly arbitrary until it becomes meaningful.
Straight Lines and Bad Ideas is the third book in the History Rides series, following previous cycling adventures across iconic UK routes. It stands alone perfectly well, but be warned: once you start seeing the world as a line to follow, it's very hard to stop.
Also from
Amess, Paul
Also in
Travel General
Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
Dylan Thuras
Joshua Foer
Ella Morton
Hardcover
Neon Lights in Tokyo: An Insider's Guide to the Best Places to Eat, Drink and Explore
Groundwater, Ben
Paperback
The Poetics of Distortion: Panoramic Photographs of the San Francisco Bay Area
Schiff, Thomas R.
Hardcover
The Impossible Road Trip: An Unforgettable Journey to Past and Present Roadside Attractions in All 50 States
Dregni, Eric
Hardcover
Moon Florence & Beyond: Day Trips, Local Spots, Strategies to Avoid Crowds
Cohen, Alexei J.
Paperback
National Parks USA: Shores, Mountains, Wetlands, and Prairies: America's Newest Parks
Publications International Ltd
Hardcover
Weird Minnesota: Your Travel Guide to Minnesota's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets
Dregni, Eric
Hardcover
Lake Minnetonka
Westonka Historical Society
Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society
Wayzata Historical Society
Paperback
111 Places in New Orleans That You Must Not Miss: Revised and Updated
Murphy, Michael
Asher, Sally
Paperback
A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon
Fedarko, Kevin
Paperback
Moon Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Make the Most of One to Three Days in the Parks
Lomax, Becky
Paperback
Big Fan: Two Friends, 82,490 Miles, and the Wild, Wonderful Sports We Love
Posnanski, Joe
Schur, Michael
Hardcover
National Geographic Road Atlas 2027: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]
National Geographic Maps
Other
Mysteries of the National Parks: 35 Stories of Baffling Disappearances, Unexplained Phenomena, and More
Bezemek, Mike
Paperback
A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon
Fedarko, Kevin
Hardcover
National Geographic Ultimate Guide to the National Parks: A Complete Tour of All 63 U.S. Parks
National Geographic
Paperback
Fodor's Pacific Northwest: With Portland, Seattle, Vancouver & the Best Road Trips
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
The Lesbian Bar Chronicles: The Living History and Hopeful Future of America's Dyke Dives and Sapphic Spaces
Karp, Rachel
Hardcover
Lonely Planet Canada: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and More
Bain, Jennifer
Balsam, Joel
Sainsbury, Brendan
Paperback
National Geographic National Parks Cookbook: Dishes Inspired by America's Great Outdoors
Elder, Nina
Knific, Melissa
Hardcover
Fodor's the Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: With the Best Scenic Road Trips
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Fodor's Bucket List USA: 500+ Ultimate Experiences, from the Epic to the Eccentric
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
52 Weekends in the Pacific Northwest: A Local's Curated Guide to Year-Round Getaways
Patajo, Kara
Paperback
Fodor's Essential Scandinavia: The Best of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Ultimate National Parks Coloring Book: Amazing Scenes from 63 of the Nation's Most Beautiful Places
Furia, Elsa L.
Paperback
Family Camping Games: A Pocket Book of Activities, Games and Puzzles to Play Around the Campfire
Henseleit, Jack
Paperback
Frostlines: A Journey Through Entangled Lives and Landscapes in a Warming Arctic
Shea, Neil
Hardcover
Fodor's Vancouver & Victoria: With Whistler, Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan Valley
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Moon USA State by State: The Best Things to Do in Every State for Your Travel Bucket List
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]
National Geographic Maps
Other
Fodor's Southern California: With Los Angeles, San Diego, the Central Coast & the Best Road Trips
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail
Montgomery, Ben
Paperback
Exploring the Maine Woods - The Hardy Family Expedition to the Machias Lakes
Carbone, Tommy
Hardy Eckstorm, Fannie
Paperback
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self
Easter, Michael
Hardcover
Fodor's Northern California: With Napa & Sonoma, Yosemite, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe & the Best Road Trips
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
The Official Disney Parks Cookbook: 101 Magical Recipes from the Delicious Disney Vault
Brandon, Pam
Hardcover
Fodor's Philadelphia: With Valley Forge, Bucks County, the Brandywine Valley, and Lancaster County
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Lonely Planet USA: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers New York, California, Washington, DC and More
Balfour, Amy C.
St Louis, Regis
Babe, Ann
Paperback
Moon Puerto Rico: Best Beaches, Outdoor Adventures, Local Favorites
Van Atten, Suzanne
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
A Short, Strange Trip: An Untold Story of Magic Mushrooms, Madness, and a Search for the Meaning of Life in the Amazon
O'Connor, John
Hardcover
The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century
Johnson, Kirk Wallace
Paperback
Moon Wisconsin: Lakeside Getaways, Outdoor Recreation, Bites & Brews
Huhti, Thomas
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
Moon Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Glacier Road Trip: Adventures in Montana & Wyoming's National Parks
Walker, Carter G.
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
Moon Tennessee: With the Smoky Mountains: Outdoor Recreation, Live Music, Whiskey, Beer & BBQ
Littman, Margaret
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
Draw Your Adventures: Making Art to Celebrate Everyday Experiences and Travels Near and Far
Baker, Samantha Dion
Paperback
Lonely Planet Australia: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Sydney, New South Wales, Canberra, Melbourne, Tas
Atkinson, Brett
Bain, Andrew
West, Josh
Paperback
Lonely Planet Mexico: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Etulum, Oaxaca, Copper Canyon and More
Fernández Solano, Jennifer
Planet, Lonely
Balsam, Joel
Paperback
Lonely Planet Europe: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Germany, Gr
Baker, Kate
Walker, Kerry
Armstrong, Kate
Paperback
Yellowstone Wildlife: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Animals of the Yellowstone Area
Kavanagh, James
Other
Moon Florida Keys: With Miami & the Everglades: Beach Getaways, Snorkeling & Diving, Wildlife
Kinser, Joshua Lawrence
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
Where Should We Camp Next?: National Parks: The Best Campgrounds and Unique Outdoor Accommodations in and Around National Parks, Seashores, Monuments,
Puglisi, Stephanie
Puglisi, Jeremy
Paperback
100 Iconic Buildings to See Before You Die: Explore the World's Most Amazing Architecture
Dk Travel
Hardcover
Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails 4th Edition
Wells, Charles a.
Peterson, Matt
Paperback
Insight Guides Mexico: Travel Guide with eBook: 2026-2027 Culture & Society Must-See Sights Stunning Photos Expert Advice Covers: Mexico City, Yucatan
Insight Guides
Savage, Robert
Paperback