Untitled - Amazon AWS

OVERLANDER A powerful memoir about a bike race that led to an inspiring personal journey In March 2017 Rupert Guinness set out on the trip of a lifetime: to race across Australia in the inaugural Indian Pacific Wheel Race. This was no ordinary bike race, competitors would ride completely unassisted from Fremantle in Western Australia to the Opera House in Sydney. Rupert wanted to rediscover the rich but little recognised history of the pioneering cyclists whose rides throughout Australia from the 1860s unveiled a largely unknown interior.

A searing tragedy on the road – the death of British endurance star Mike Hall at the peak of the race – stopped everyone in their tracks, and competitors had to make some of the toughest decisions they had ever faced.

A SEARING TRAGEDY Rupert was posting video blogs throughout his journey and on the day of Mike Hall’s death he posted a raw and emotional video about the tragedy, which has been viewed 8.5K times.

You can view Rupert’s vlog here: http://bit.ly/2FkgIaP

RUPERT GUINNESS For more than 30 years Rupert Guinness has traversed the world of cycling in search of a good yarn. Having covered some of the biggest races both in Australia and on the international stage, including the Tour de France, he is recognised globally for his work covering the sport. Rupert has written for major news outlets in Australia and around the world, and is the bestselling author of 14 books. He received a Walkley Award commendation in 2001 for his inside story for The Australian on the 1999/2000 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Prior to starting the race, SBS interviewed Rupert. Watch the video here: http://bit.ly/2oVHcoh

PUBLICITY We’re expecting a high-profile media for Rupert’s story and will be pitching for: • Australian Story • Good Weekend feature

• Conversations with Richard Fidler • ABC News Breakfast

• SBS News Other publicity will include ABC and commercial radio interviews, and widespread newspaper coverage.

MAMIL Among our target audience are MAMILs, or middle-aged men in lycra.

MAMILs are defined as people who ride an expensive racing bicycle for leisure, wearing professional style body-hugging jerseys and shorts. The practice is considered a more healthy response to a midlife crisis than buying an expensive sports car. But it’s not just middle-aged men! According to the Austroads 2013 Participation Survey, 3.6 million (17% of) people ride a bike in Australia each week and 7.4 million (37%) had ridden at least once in the previous year.

WRITERS’ FESTIVALS Rupert has already accepted invitations to two writers’ festivals later this year and we expect more invitations to follow.

COMING AUGUST