Svein Tuft: Tour de France stage winner, wearer of the pink jersey at the Giro dItalia, world championships medallist, Olympian, and one of Canadas most decorated cyclists.

Before turning pro at 31, Svein lived an epic adventure in the great wildernesses of the Pacific Northwest. It was a life of death-defying mountain expeditions, boxcar-riding escapades and close encounters with wild animals. For much of it, he was accompanied by his beloved dog, Bear.

Later, he began his two-wheeled journey on the highways to Alaska. Then, via the Wild West of amateur racing, he reached the pinnacle of the sport at the age of 36.

One of cyclings great untold stories, this is how a guy used to pedalling an 80lb mongrel on a trailer found success in the worlds toughest sport.

Svein is a singular athlete, forged by a remarkable journey that has given him a unique perspective on the exhilarating, bizarre life of a pro cyclist.

Svein got to the top without forgetting to admire the view along the way.

This is Sveins book.

For the first time, this is the whole story.

This book is an inspirational adventure story, a candid sports autobiography, and the intellectual meditations of a shy yet singular individual.

Written in collaboration with award-winning British journalist Richard Abraham, this story will be told through Sveins inimitable voice.

It’s the story of one mans journey to find identity and his purpose, and about his quest to achieve success without forgetting how to be happy.

Think Jon Krakauer’sInto the Wildmeets William Finnegan’sBarbarian Days,with the behind-the-scenes honesty ofDomestiqueby Charly Wegelius.

It will appeal to any reader with an interest in sports, adventure, inspiring true stories, and one of Canada’s most remarkable athletes.