Second Time Lucky [PDF Download Edition]

The Tour Aotearoa is the ride of a lifetime: a 3,000-kilometre journey from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Erik Westra, an avid cyclist, raced past deserted beaches, native animals and friendly locals until a dream-shattering fall forced him to withdraw. Determined to complete what he had started, he set out again ten months later, but this time with a different goal – to be more observant, getting to know the country’s people, history and spirit. In the end the journey wasn’t about what he saw and did, but what he discovered about himself along the way.

Descriptions of the varied and at times rough New Zealand landscape are interwoven with stories about the country, its people and one man who took on a challenge and persevered. Keen cyclists and armchair adventurers alike will find themselves in these pages.

About Erik

Erik has been a keen cyclist for almost his entire life. He has taken part in the Karapoti Classic mountain bike race, the Great Cycle Challenge (6 times) and other mountain bike races and events around the world.

Erik is a 32-year veteran of the computer industry. He started his career writing computer software and doing IT consulting work, and he has written a number of computer programming books.
He lives with his wife and four kids in Rotorua, where he created the Geyserland Gravel Grind, a set of bikepacking events in the Rotorua district.

Note: this is the PDF version of Erik's book