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Rating: 
Summary: Perfect R&R For Cyclists: Midwest B&Bs
Review: "You enter Ivy House through a screened-in porch, where you can while away the time relaxing after a ride, reading, visiting with other guests, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet. Proceeding into the living area, you'll find comfortable green wicker furniture beneath a ceiling fan that diffuses the fresh breezes off Lake Erie." (Ivy House, Marblehead, Ohio)Such carefully crafted descriptions abound in this recently published guidebook. The authors, a Toledo-based couple, lodged, dined and biked at 27 bed-and-breakfasts throughout Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. What resulted from their adventures and strict attention to detail is a very thorough and thoroughly interesting guide to the best of biking and lodging in America's Heartland. The Midwest, especially Ohio, especially, have a tradition of friendliness to bicyclists. It is only fitting, then, that Ohioans have created this latest addition to the Anacus Press Bed, Breakfast, and Bike Series. Co-author Theresa Russell has written frequently on bicycle touring and is currently completing a guide to cycling Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The truth about the Midwest is that much of it is not flat. Accordingly, the Russells cover inns and nearby bike routes in lands of giant hills (Southern Ohio), valleys, rolling terrain, lakefronts and, of course, plains. One bike route even includes a ferry and an island (Kelley's Island in Lake Erie). While the appearance and menu of each inn are described in perfect detail, biking content for each is plentiful and handy. Lodging rates reveal many inns that are pleasing to the purse as well as the eye. All of this information is critical for those planning weekend bike getaways but not planning on any surprises. What does pleasantly surprise the reader, however, is the variety of accommodations (one is a sternwheeler riverboat, for petesake) and the listings of not one, but two, suggested bike routes from each inn. Most routes are comfortably under 50 miles. But the most pleasant surprise is the final chapter listing 18 recipes shared by inn hosts along the way. Culinary delights range from "Blueberry-Walnut Coffeecake" to "Hash Brown Quiche." Treats for the palate, yes, but also excellent fuel for a hearty morning of Midwest bicycle touring.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect R&R For Cyclists: Midwest B&Bs
Review: "You enter Ivy House through a screened-in porch, where you can while away the time relaxing after a ride, reading, visiting with other guests, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet. Proceeding into the living area, you'll find comfortable green wicker furniture beneath a ceiling fan that diffuses the fresh breezes off Lake Erie." (Ivy House, Marblehead, Ohio) Such carefully crafted descriptions abound in this recently published guidebook. The authors, a Toledo-based couple, lodged, dined and biked at 27 bed-and-breakfasts throughout Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. What resulted from their adventures and strict attention to detail is a very thorough and thoroughly interesting guide to the best of biking and lodging in America's Heartland. The Midwest, especially Ohio, especially, have a tradition of friendliness to bicyclists. It is only fitting, then, that Ohioans have created this latest addition to the Anacus Press Bed, Breakfast, and Bike Series. Co-author Theresa Russell has written frequently on bicycle touring and is currently completing a guide to cycling Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The truth about the Midwest is that much of it is not flat. Accordingly, the Russells cover inns and nearby bike routes in lands of giant hills (Southern Ohio), valleys, rolling terrain, lakefronts and, of course, plains. One bike route even includes a ferry and an island (Kelley's Island in Lake Erie). While the appearance and menu of each inn are described in perfect detail, biking content for each is plentiful and handy. Lodging rates reveal many inns that are pleasing to the purse as well as the eye. All of this information is critical for those planning weekend bike getaways but not planning on any surprises. What does pleasantly surprise the reader, however, is the variety of accommodations (one is a sternwheeler riverboat, for petesake) and the listings of not one, but two, suggested bike routes from each inn. Most routes are comfortably under 50 miles. But the most pleasant surprise is the final chapter listing 18 recipes shared by inn hosts along the way. Culinary delights range from "Blueberry-Walnut Coffeecake" to "Hash Brown Quiche." Treats for the palate, yes, but also excellent fuel for a hearty morning of Midwest bicycle touring.
Rating:
Summary: Inviting new B&B&B Guide
Review: Bed, Breakfast and Bike Midwest is a must have, attractive guide for anyone planning a bicycling trip in Indiana, Michigan or Ohio. But you don't have to be on a bike to use this book for B&B vacations. Theresa and Robert Russell offer their readers a well researched, diverse selection of home base lodgings, easy to follow maps, and useful data such as type of terrain, expected traffic conditions and nearby historic sites to look for enroute. Added plusses are locations of the nearest local bike shops and a final fun chapter highlighting recipes which the Russells culled from the many inns, mansions, B&Bs and farmhouses visited during their fact finding tour.
Rating:
Summary: What more can you ask?
Review: How can you not like a book that inter-mixes snippets from Voltaire, Chief Tecumseh and the local innkeeper with nitty-gritty facts? The Russells thought of everything. They detail biking routes down to a tenth of a mile, grade them as to severity, even include dirctions to the nearest bike shop. The descriptions of inns and innkeepers reflect the differing personalities of the various lodgings. I've stayed at several; the Russells' reports are unerringly accurate; I can't wait to try the rest. In fact, the inns are sound so delicious that I bought a copy of the book for my non-biking but B & B-loving aunt!
Rating:
Summary: What more can you ask?
Review: How can you not like a book that inter-mixes snippets from Voltaire, Chief Tecumseh and the local innkeeper with nitty-gritty facts? The Russells thought of everything. They detail biking routes down to a tenth of a mile, grade them as to severity, even include dirctions to the nearest bike shop. The descriptions of inns and innkeepers reflect the differing personalities of the various lodgings. I've stayed at several; the Russells' reports are unerringly accurate; I can't wait to try the rest. In fact, the inns are sound so delicious that I bought a copy of the book for my non-biking but B & B-loving aunt!
Rating:
Summary: Hats off to Theresa and Robert!!
Review: I just picked up a copy of Bed, Breakfast and Bike Midwest and thought it was absolutely the best book on that subject I have ever read!! I was thrilled to have found it and recommend it to anyone wanting to know about B & B's and biking in the Midwest! I first heard of it from listening to "Travel World Radio" on WPBR in West Palm Beach and ran out immediately to find it. At first, I thought I'd just sit in the bookstore writing down notes but once I took a closer look at it, I bought it immediately and won't even loan it out!! As an avid biker and lover of cozy bed and breakfasts, I found the contents to be thorough, accurate, fun-filled and entertaining!! I used it to plan my Ohio vacation and had the best time in ten years!! Please...Robert and Theresa...write another one about another part of the world. I'd love to see one about biking and B & B's in Mexico!! Perhaps the Mexican Government would help you out with research or even fund part of it!! THey can definitely call me for a recommendation!! Congrats on a job well done!!
Rating:
Summary: Well Researched--Interesting and an Easy Read
Review: What a great book-- well researched and a very interesting, easy read. Not being familiar with the B & B's in the Midwest I spent a days beer allowance (in what I hoped would be a good investment) to learn about the area, the accommodations, and the trails. I can only imagine the voluminous research that went into the investigation of the various places mentioned in the book by the Russell's. For anyone considering biking or staying in a B&B in the Midwest do yourself a favor-buy this book-even if you have to give up a week's beer allowance. Thanks to the Russell's -write some more on other areas. .
Rating:
Summary: A Tasty Read
Review: While my big behind has never been balanced on a bicycle seat, I thoroughly enjoyed..and benefited from..my reading of Bed, Breakfast sand Bike Midwest, by Robert and Theresa Russell. The Russells have combined descriptive prose with precise information in their well researched work. When I visit the Midwest in the fall, I will be well armed with all the facts I need to make considered decisions in re: my accommodations. And, between now and September, should I be overtaken by the spirit of the winner of the Tour De France, (highly unlikely), I will be well apprised of routes to take, locations of bike shops, landmarks, sights to see, and all other information required to expedite a safe and engaging bike tour. On the other hand, should "the spirit" elude me, (highly likely), I will know just where to go to get a tasty breakfast of "Dutch Babies" and other goodies. All in all, a tasty read.
Rating:
Summary: A Tasty Read
Review: While my big behind has never been balanced on a bicycle seat, I thoroughly enjoyed..and benefited from..my reading of Bed, Breakfast sand Bike Midwest, by Robert and Theresa Russell. The Russells have combined descriptive prose with precise information in their well researched work. When I visit the Midwest in the fall, I will be well armed with all the facts I need to make considered decisions in re: my accommodations. And, between now and September, should I be overtaken by the spirit of the winner of the Tour De France, (highly unlikely), I will be well apprised of routes to take, locations of bike shops, landmarks, sights to see, and all other information required to expedite a safe and engaging bike tour. On the other hand, should "the spirit" elude me, (highly likely), I will know just where to go to get a tasty breakfast of "Dutch Babies" and other goodies. All in all, a tasty read.
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