Author: Rob Ainsley grew up in Hull, which Philip Larkin described as 'nice and flat for cycling - that's about the best I can say'. Taking Norman Tebbit's advice of the time, he got on his bike and looked for work, but found he liked cycling more than work. He has cycled all over the UK and more than 30 other countries, and can shout at taxi drivers in four languages. He is a regular contributor to Cycle (CTC magazine) and Cycling Plus, wrote the guidebook 50 Quirky Bike Rides (Eye Books) and is a cycling blogger (www.realcycling.co.uk) and Twitterer (@realcycling).