Africa Solo, written by Mark Beaumont, is a stretch by stretch account of his journey to become the fastest man to cycle from Cairo to Cape town. Published in 2016, this account is seemingly close to my heart as one day I wish to drive the Cairo to Cape town route (at a leisurely pace, of three months) after driving from London to Cairo first.
"The Egyptian Capital can in one sense seem controlled but at the same time utterly frenetic ... Like so many of the world's famous wonders, the pyramids' gigantic reputation means you can't help but be slightly disappointed by their real-life size."
This book chronicles his journey in six parts and although not an epilogue of his sight seeing travels, of which he had very few, it is instead an engaging account of endurance, determination and pure stubborness whilst capturing the spirit of each African country from the view of a saddle, racing on endless Chinese built highways. At 333 pages long this book can at some points hit low moments and others seem exhilarating, his insight into travel and his attitude towards it is oozing through all his sentiments in the book. Although, I endlessly found myself disagreeing with him about Cairo and The Pyramid's of Giza, I was warmed a little bit at the mention of the 6th October Bridge, the Ain El Sokhna Highway and The Red Sea which are etched in my memory.
"Sudan is on the US list of countries that reportedly provide supports for acts of terrorism; it has imposed on it strict unilateral sanctions and much of what you read about the country is negative. There are only three nations on this terrorism list so, as was the case when I entered Iran on my world cycle, there was understandable trepidation. Still over 99.9 per cent of Brits have never visited Sudan, and if travelling has taught me anything, it's this: only take advice from people who have actually been to the place."
His style of writing is very matter-of-fact and despite more so detailing complications and difficulties whilst travelling, Beaumont's fleeting impressions of each country both inspired and fuelled me to one day pursue this journey. Without spoiling too much, this book is introduced and brought to a close with two very tough moments for Beaumont. Something many travellers can relate to whilst reading this book is the undeniably fact of missing out on parts of your life at home but being too driven for the 'adventure' to change your commitments - I think in this way the book will really strike at some people's cores and definitely tug on a few heart strings.
Some chapters can be long, depending on how invested you are in this read, and this most definitely isn't your typical laid
back, casual, holiday read. His writing style embodies his time in Africa and really gives you a sense of his mindset, his surroundings, often his impatience and occasionally his elation during this epic journey. You will find yourself tested with this read as he is tested with his journey and at some points I grew tired of reading about endless tarmac, interrupted by Beaumont's ever dreaded dirt track.
Despite not enjoying this read in the same way as Lois Pryce's account of Iran, I would still high recommend this read. Certainly is you're planning this road trip read as many books as you can, if you just enjoy record-breaking accounts then you'll most likely love this and if you have a fondness of Africa, road-trips, cycling or sporting books then this is definitely something worth a go! Priced at £9.99 on paperback and also available in ebook this is perhaps a better choice for those early morning commutes or slow lunch breaks as oppose to some light-hearted beach reading.
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