From out very special correspondent:

Four wheels good, two wheels better...
Slovakia is a great country for cycling, whether you are a long-distance tourer, an off-road mountain biker or just fancy a gentle pedal along the river. The reliably warm summer weather and fabulous autumnal colours make cycling one of the best ways to see the country.
     It might look small on the map, but Slovakia has a lot of hills. There are mountain-biking trails to suit every level of rider in woods just minutes from the centre of Bratislava, the capital. The same is true for almost every other town in the country. Trails are generally well marked and maps are widely available.
     If you prefer to stick to the tarmac, smooth, purpose-built cycle paths follow the main river valleys: along the Danube towards either Vienna or Budapest; along the quiet Morava to the Czech Republic; and along the Váh, into the heart of Slovakia.
     Cross-country road cycling is rewarding - the views in mountainous northern and central Slovakia are breathtaking - but it pays to have local knowledge: some of the valley roads suffer from heavy traffic.
     There are few cyclists in most towns but motor traffic is relatively light, so go easy (and watch out for the tram lines in Bratislava and Košice) and you'll be fine.
     Bike shops can be found even in small towns, and a surprising number have English-speaking staff (cycling enthusiasts can, in any case, normally overcome language barriers).
     Once you've worked up a thirst or an appetite, refreshment is never far away in Slovakia. No town or village here is complete without a pub-restaurant serving tasty, filling food.
     And in summer the main cycle paths are lined with cabins selling cold beer and kofola (a local cola drink, served on tap), where you can sit outside and admire the many other fellow cyclists cruising past.
James Thomson is a British journalist, cyclist and travel writer who lives in Bratislava. He is the author of 'Spectacular Slovakia', a travel guide published by The Slovak Spectator English-language newspaper.