Publisher's Synopsis
The story of a great personal adventure around the world on a bicycle, covering 35,000 miles between 1966–69. While most British cyclists invariably set off through Europe and Asia, the author headed west to North America, crossing the Prairies and travelling through the Rocky Mountains. Following work in Vancouver during the first winter away, he embarked on the second stage of his journey, undertaking perhaps one of the most comprehensive cycle tours of the American West, including many of the great National Parks. After working in San Diego, the spring and early summer of 1968 were spent touring Japan, then arrival in the southern hemisphere in July 1968 provided the opportunity to travel in the rugged Australian north while conditions were coolest. The peak summer months of December and January were spent touring the idyllic islands of New Zealand. Beginning his journey home from Singapore in March 1969, the author cycled through every country on the overland route, except Burma, and immersed himself in a rich variety of cultures. Much of this route is no longer open to travellers as it was then. The book is copiously illustrated with evocative photographs to capture the atmosphere of the period. It takes a nostalgic and fond look back at happy times spent, in the author’s view, on one of the finest forms of transport ever invented.
