Anyone wandering the country lanes of Worcester and Hereford in the early 1900s might have come across a bowler-hatted, handlebar-moustached man rhythmically and thoughtfully pedalling his handsome 'Sunbeam' bicycle.

Elgar the Cyclist - A Creative Odyssey by Kevin Allen is the story of that cyclist, none other than the composer Edward Elgar. The book tells how some of his greatest music was born in the saddle in sight of the Malvern Hills he loved so much.

Illustrated with photographs of Elgar’s cycling companions, inns, hostelries as well as period postcards of local landmarks, Elgar the Cyclist presents a glimpse of a way of life now vanished. For Elgar, the cyclist, the fields and orchards, the country lanes, villages of black and white houses, churches, pubs and quiet river banks, all with the eternal skies and the Malvern Hills always beckoned.

This is a charming and highly informative book, offering a different side to the composer which will interest followers of his music as well as the general public. The reader almost feels as if he or she is cycling alongside Elgar on his wanderings.

Elgar the Cyclist is available in paperback (sized 150 x 150mm) ISBN: 0-620-35031-8 and retails at R90.

Robin Stuart-Clark, Creative Publishing Director, of Publishing Print Matters (Pty) Ltd, has offered copies of Elgar the Cyclist to artSMart readers at R75 including VAT plus R13 ordinary mail postage and packaging. (Total R88). artSMart readers can email their orders to info@printmatters.co.za

Orders will be fulfilled once payment is received. Payment can be made as follows:

By cheque: made out to Stuart-Clark & Associates t/a Print Matters, PO Box 640, Noordhoek 7979 or by direct deposit to: Stuart-Clark & Associates cc; Current Account Number 6200 763 7137; FNB Rondebosch branch 201 409; or by internet banking to the above account.

Please allow 10 working days for delivery.

More information on 083 280 0237, fax 086 614 4932 or visit www.printmatters.co.za