Wild Ride: Epic cycling journeys through the heart of Australia

(Paperback)

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'To cross Australia on a bicycle, piercing the very heart of the continent, facing dangers, some known and more unknown - it was the very thing.' Jerome Murif, Australian cyclist, 1897 This book tells the story of the cyclists who were overcome by the need to venture forth on two wheels; the courageous men and women who undertook some of the most epic bicycle journeys of all time. Wild Ride reminds us of a thrilling period of exploration all but forgotten in the age of the motorcar. Daniel Oakman takes us on a rich ride through the 130 years of Australian cycling; from the overlanding heroes of Arthur Richardson and Francis Birtles, to the lesser known but no less amazing feats of Jerome Murif, Ted Ryko and Joe Pearson, through to modern-day bikepacking trailblazers such as Kate Leeming, Tegan Streeter and Tom Richards. Celebrity riders are here too; from the historic icons of Hubert 'Oppy' Opperman, Wendy Duncan and Shirley Law, to the more recent triumphs of actor Sam Johnson and his audacious quest to ride a unicycle 15,000 kilometres around the country. You will be astounded by their journeys, retold here with sparkling clarity. Be inspired for your next pedal powered adventure.

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"To cross Australia on a bicycle, piercing the very heart of the continent, facing dangers, someknown and more unknown -- it was the very thing." -- Jerome Murif, Australian cyclist, 1897

Author Bio

Daniel Oakman is a museum curator, historian and bike rider. He has curated exhibitions about bicycles, cars, cities and urban design; including Freewheeling, a ground-breaking travelling exhibition on cycling in Australia. As a writer, he is best known as the author of Oppy, the gripping biography of Australia's greatest endurance cyclist, Sir Hubert Opperman. He lives in Canberra with his partner Cecilie and a dog called Gilbert.