A book review by Mike Forrester
Editor and Scribbler motorcycle.co.uk
In her previous book, Lois Pryce rode from Alaska to the tip of South America. This book is about a similar trip through Africa.
She has obviously got a taste for this adventure motorcycling lark, and having ridden the length of the Americas, then 'Down Africa' would be the obvious next big trip. So, naturally, she went.
There is some debate about which is the best route through Africa. I guess it depends on what local political situations - or wars - you want to avoid. Lois rode from Tunisia due south across The Sahara. I wasn't sure that route was passable, but passable it is, she did it. I don't think it was easy, but avoiding what we used to call the Ivory Coast, and whatever political shenanigans are going on in the East, crossing the desert that way was probably a smart move.
Like her last book, this is another nice read. She tells of sights and sounds and scrapes avoided. Skips along with a keen observation of her fellow travellers and a calm acceptance of everything that happens. It draws you in and makes you wish you were there, like all good travel writing should. She makes it seem like a pleasant thing to do, and not at all scary and dangerous.
Doing some research on another topic recently, I was intrigued to find Lois's name mentioned with some reverence in Yamaha TTR forums. She rode a TTR250. Yes, a wee 250cc trials bike. Not for her the overweight complications of a BMW GS. Actually, all you need is an air-cooled 250cc single. It is typical of her approach: pragmatic, sensible, and to hell with what anybody else thinks.
Recommended for armchair motorcyclists everywhere. The perfect light reading for your daily commute.
Review ©2009 motorcycle.co.uk. More information on her own web site, and get the book from Amazon
or your favourite supplier, ISBN 0099513595.