about the author

John Bosley is retired and therefore thoroughly enjoying life. With his wife, Kate, he is currently joint president of the San Fairy Ann Cycling Club, based in Kent. John has lived in Maidstone for over 30 years and is very proud of his four adult children—Charlotte, Hannah, Josh and Sarah—and at the moment three grandchildren—Rudy, Bailey and Wren.John has written this book as a humorous and informative record of an amazing tandem cycle ’round France in summer 2023 so that he can remember it. It is hard enough trying to remember what you did the day before on a cycle tour, let alone 74 days of cycling!

about the book

Retired couple John and Kate Bosley had a dream: to cycle all the way around France on their tandem bicycle. In the summer of 2023, they made that dream a reality, setting out on an epic 12-week, 7,500 kilometre journey that would test their endurance, strengthen their bond, and open their eyes to the wonders of France.Pedalling at a comfortable ‘snail’s pace,’ John and Kate wind their way around the perimeter of France, sticking as close to the borders as possible. From the Channel to the Atlantic to the Mediterranean to the Alps, they experience France’s diverse beauty and culture up close. Along the way, they battle broken spokes, torrential rains, wrong turns, and leg-burning ascents.Through it all, the Bosleys maintain their sense of humour, curiosity and ‘joie de vivre.’ With self-deprecating wit and keen observations, John chronicles their highs, lows, and serendipitous encounters. Kate, visually impaired from a past accident, provides inspiration through her courage and determination.Equal parts travelogue, cycling memoir, and love letter to France, Snails Around France proves it’s never too late to take on a crazy quest and Savor the rewards of traveling slow. Vive la France – and the intrepid snails who encircled it!

news

Snails Around Britain: Pedalling for Paws and Purpose

Snails around Britain Guide Dogs works for a world where people with sight loss are never left out of life, for a world where being blind or partially sighted is not what defines you. A world with e ........

Snails’ Trails Important News.

Snails’ Trails Important News. The Facebook page, Snails around France has been rebranded and is now Snails’ Trails. Tandem tour of Britain, Summer 2025. #touring #britain #tandembike #cycling #Snails ........

My book cover, but what’s inside!

My book cover, but what’s inside! To be, or not to be - the book cover is Snails around France, but the contents … well, the pictures speak for themselves! A Facebook follower ordered a copy of my b ........

blogs

Reflections on an Anonymous Review of Snails Around France

Reading this anonymous review on the Barnes & Noble website gave me one of those quietly proud moments—the kind you take a deep breath and smile over. When Kate and I set out on our tandem adventure a ........

Reflecting on KP’s Review of Snails Around France

KP’s review truly warmed my heart. When Kate and I set off on our tandem journey around the border of France, we hoped not only to challenge ourselves physically and mentally but also to capture somet ........

"Snails Around France – A Journey Shared with Readers Like Tom"

Reading Tom’s thoughtful review of Snails Around France was an absolute pleasure. When you pour your heart into a journey—one pedal stroke, one baguette, one minor detour at a time—you hope it resonat ........

contact

Austin Macauley are one of the fastest-growing publishers, striving hard to give authors the best chance of succeeding in an increasingly crowded market. With headquarters in London, New York and Sharjah, Austin Macauley Publishers™ have established themselves as an energetic and innovative independent trade publishers.

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