Book News: Bicycling In Africa
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Bicycling in Africa: The Places in Between (ordering information)
For those who have the dream of visiting Africa or other less developed areas and want to meet people and feel as well as see the beauty of the land, pick-up 'Bicycling In Africa: The Places in Between', by David Mozer.
If you are inspired by the thought of bicycling in the world of non-Western cultures, then 'Bicycling In Africa' is the how-to book for you. It has page after page of valuable information and anecdotes on picking a destination, crossing cultural barriers, health and wellness on a bike, planning an itinerary, selecting and preparing your bike and finding your way in Africa. Because bicycle touring is inherently a people-to-people experience, considerable attention is given to getting the traveler ready for the cross cultural opportunities that are sure to be experienced.
According to the author bicycling in Africa can be easy and rewarding. "If you are between the ages of 16 and 66, can bicycle the California wine country, the back trails of the Rocky Mountains or the Trek Across Maine and are interested in Africa," says Mozer, "there is a bike ride and the experience of a lifetime waiting for you in Africa."
In addition the book has appendices which include: a detailed packing list, a guide to bicycling in 16 countries, a bibliography for Africa, a health guide, an essay on bicycling technique and much more.
Eight country supplements are also available from the International Bicycle Fund.
The author has bicycled over 50,000 miles in Africa since 1975 and has led cross-cultural bicycle tours in countries from Tunisia to Botswana and Senegal to Ethiopia, for the last two decade.
To order:
'Bicycling In Africa' (ISBN 0-9623052-0-0) sells for US$15.00. (WA State addresses need to add 10.1% sales tax ($1.52). Please include postage and handling for mail orders; USA US$8, Canada US$16, other destinations US$22.50.
Please email details of your order, shipping address, and contact email or phone number, and arrange of payment by credit card or through Paypal (direct payment to "ibike @ ibike dot org").
Or, mail details of the order, shipping address, contact email or phone
number and full payment in US funds to:
International Bicycle Fund
4887 Columbia Drive South
Seattle, WA 98108-1919 USA.
I. Bicycling In Africa For Westerners 1
A. Myths And Realities 2
B. Styles of Travel 5
C. The CrossCultural Experience 6
D. Responsible Travel 7
E. A Realist Assessment 12
II. Crossing Cultural Barriers 13
A. Dress 13
B. Greetings 15
C. Righthandedness 16
D. Vocabulary 17
E. Language Structure 19
F. Making Friends 20
II. Health & Wellness 22
A. General Wellness I 23
B. Training 23
C. General Wellness II 24
D. Safety 25
E. Insurance: Medical & Evacuation 26
F. Immunizations 26
G. Malaria Prophylactics 27
H. Jet Lag 27
.I. Overheating 29
J. Hygiene 30
Safe Drinking Water 30
Safe Eating 31
M. Cuts & Scrapes 31
N. Colds & Sore Throats 32
O. Gynecological Considerations 32
P. Diarrhea 35
Q. Insects 36
IV. Body Maintenance 37
A. Posture: Sizing & Adjusting Your Bike 37
B. Warmup 39
C. Cadence 40
D. Fluids 41
E. Calories 42
F. Rest 43
V. Preparing For Bicycle Travel In Africa 44
A. General Checklist 45
B. Picking A Destination 46
C. Defining Your Style of Travel 47
D. Becoming Informed 49
E. Planning An Itinerary 51
1. Limitations 51
2. Mileage 51
3. Daylight 52
4. Climate 52
5. Route 52
6. Seeing Wildlife 53
7. Accommodations 54
F. International Travel 55
1. Passports 55
2. Visas 56
3. Air Tickets 56
4. Certificate of Registration 57
G. Selecting A Bicycle 58
H. Racks, Packs & Fenders 59
I. Bike Checkup 60
J. Personal Equipment 62
1. Bicycle Helmets & Gloves 62
2. Water Bottles 63
3. Water Purification 63
4. Food 63
5. Tools & Spare Parts 64
6. Clothing 64
7. Sunglasses 65
8. Lights 66
9. First Aid Kit 66
10. Other Items 66
K. Loading Up 67
L. Packing 68
VI. The Traveler Life In Africa 71
A. Air Travel 71
B. Trains, Taxis & Buses 73
C. Customs & Immigrations Formalities 74
D. Finding Your Way 76
E. Accommodations 76
1. Hotels 77
2. Village Housing 78
3. Camping 79
F. Personal Hygiene 79
G. Washing Etiquette 79
H. Food 80
I. Check Points 83
J. Personal Security 84
K. Language 86
L. Photography 87
M. Money 91
1. Controlled Currencies 92
2. Credit Cards/Traveler's Cheques 93
3. Tips, Cadeaux, Dash & Bribes 93
N. Mail & Shipping 94
O. Telephoning 95
P. Markets & Shopping 96
Q. Bargaining 97
R. Art & Craft 99
S. Endangered Wildlife Products 101
T. Departure Tax 102
U. Time & Time Zones 102
VII. Conclusion 103
VIII. Appendix
A. Packing Checklist
1. Carry On A 1
2. Clothing A 1
3. Strongly Recommended Items A 2
4. Optional Useful Items A 2
5. Wellness Kit A 3
6. Camping Equipment A 3
7. Cooking Equipment A 4
8. Bicycle Equipment A 4
9. Personal Bicycle Tool Kit A 4
10. Group Equipment A 5
B. Bibliography
1. Africa General B 2
2. West Africa Coast B 3
3. West Africa Sahel B 6
4. Central Africa B 8
5. East Africa B 9
6. Southern Africa B 11
7. North Africa B 13
C. Health Guide
1. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome C 2
2. Amoebas C 2
3. Anthrax C 2
4. Bacterial Dysentery C 3
5. Chagas' Disease C 3
6. Childhood Malnutrition C 3
7. Cholera C 4
8. Diarrhea C 4
9. Filiariasis and Elephantiasis C 6
10. Giardia C 6
11. Hemorrhagic Fever C 6
12. Hepatitis A C 6
13. Hepatitis B C 7
14. Leishmaniasis C 7
15. Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) C 7
16. Lice C 7
17. Malaria C 8
18. Meningitis C 10
19. Onchocerciasis C 10
20. Parasitic Worms C 11
21. Plague C 11
22. Poliomyelitis C 11
23. Rabies C 12
24. Scabies C 12
25. Schitosomiasis C 12
26. Small Pox C 13
27. Tropical Ulcers C 13
28. Trypanosomiasis C 13
29. Tuberculosis C 14
30. Typhoid Fever C 14
31. Typhus C 15
32. Yellow Fever C 15
D. Effective Cycling
1. Bicycle Helmets D 1
2. Rules Of The Road D 2
3. Ride Defensively D 2
4. Riding Technique D 3
. a. Starting D 3
. b. Stopping D 3
c. Scanning D 4
d. Gearing D 4
5. Maintenance D 4
6. Maintenance Guide D 5
a. Brakes D 5
b. Brake Cables D 5
c. Chain D 6
d. Wheels D 6
e. Tires D 7
f. Derailleur & Shift Cables D 7
g. Hubs, Bottom Brackets D 8
h. Seat Post & Handlebars D 8
i. Attachments D 8
E. Resources
1. Travel/Health/Evacuation Ins. E 1
2. Medical Information E 2
3. Bicycle Touring Consultants E 3
4. Selected Travel Guides E 3
F. Selected Country Guide
1. Algeria F 1
2. Benin F 1
3. Burkina Faso F 2
4. Cameroon F 3
5. Cote d'Ivoire F 4
6. Ghana F 5
7. Kenya F 6
8. Malawi F 7
9. Mali F 8
10. Niger F 8
11. Nigeria F 9
.12. Senegal F 10
13. Tanzania F 10
14. Togo F 11
15. Tunisia F 12
16. Zimbabwe F 13
G. Climate In Africa G 1
H. Africa: Transport, Bicycles And Development
1. Introduction H 1
2. The Role of Transportation H 2
3. Transportation In Africa H 2
4. Bicycle Transportation In Africa H 4
5. Urban Bicycle Transportation H 7
6. Multimodal Transportation H 8
7. Women And Transportation H 8
8. Transport And The Environment H 9
9. Transportation Policy H 10
10. The (Bicycle) Course To Success H 11
I. International Bicycle Fund I 1
Reviews
by Danelle Laidlaw, Former-Executive Director, Bicycling Association of British Columbia.
This is the best handy-dandy guide to tour preparation that I have ever read (and I have probably read most of them). It is written with a wealth of experience behind the pearls of wisdom and that experience comes shining through on each section.
Concentrating on Africa, Mozer has outlined all of the things that have to be considered when preparing oneself and one's bicycle for a trip to a foreign country. In addition to covering the general prep, visas, inoculations, currency, etc., the author outlines how much one can benefit from experiencing the country on its terms rather than yours. I think he sums it up perfectly, with respect to Africa, when he says "…the essential difference between western and African culture is that Africans are concerned with the form of life and westerns dwell on the content."
Mozer uses a perfect blend of sensible advice and anecdotes in this easy to read manual. Whether or not you are planning an African tour, I think this manual is worth a read.
by Peter Gearin, World Traveler
"Bicycling In Africa" is the best travel book I have ever read. The book not
only covers essential tips on international bicycle touring, essential tips on
international travel, but insight into Africa as well. The book is a great balance of all
of these factors.
by Keith Petersen, Former-Peace Corps Volunteer, Ghana
I would like to commend you on the very informative book. It is clearly written with a
vast awareness of cultural diversity and knowledge of the specific differences in the
applicable cultures. In fact, halfway through the first part of the book I turned to the
back cover to confirm my suspicion that you were also a Peace Corps Volunteer. The book
gave a lot of good information that would help the traveler.
by Pro Bike News, Bicycle Federation of America
If you're inspired by the though of bicycling in Africa, or just want to read a very
informative and engrossing how-to-do-it book, consider "Bicycling In Africa,"
published by the International Bicycle Fund.
Author David Mozer has cycled more than 20,000 miles and led more than 20 bicycle tours in
Africa, and imparts his knowledge and experiences in an entertaining manner.
"Bicycling In Africa" will help travelers pick a destination, cross cultural
barriers, stay healthy, plan an itinerary, select and prepare a bike, know what to take,
and find their way in Africa.
Mozer's advice on knowing and respecting local customs - dress, greeting, appropriate
vocabulary - should smooth the way for a bicycle tourist's many personal contacts.
Recommendations on staying healthy includes advice on immunization, jet lag, safe eating
and drinking and gynecological considerations.
Traveling by air, trains, taxis and bus, finding lodging, dealing with customs agents,
personal security, and exchanging currency are also reviewed.
by Fred Murray
This handy guide is chock full of useful information that is essential for the bicycle
traveler. A good portion of the guide is dedicated to general information that is
necessary for travel in general, and for bicycle travel specifically. It gives you a good
general background on some of the basic considerations that a traveler needs to prepare
for when traveling through the various regions and nations of Africa.
In addition to the general advice and overview the opening section of the book provides on
Africa in general, there is a very useful section later in the book which gives a country
by country guide for traveling in specific countries. Although not all countries of Africa
are included in this section, it does include the countries most likely to appear on most
Westerner's list of "places to visit".
As a preparatory guide to taking on one's first bicycle trip, this is an excellent guide!
It goes through a training regimen, with physical conditioning exercises that will help
prepare you for the physical rigors of the trip, as well as explaining everything you need
to know about what equipment to take with you for "bicycle camping" to a basic
tool kit that every biker should have with them.
One other feature that really sold me on this book is its section on health (and disease).
This is always a big concern of my wife's, and having this reference section in a travel
guide is a big reassurance to her.
All-in-all, this is a very thorough guide that would be an essential resource for the
person planning a trip by bike in any of the most common destinations in Africa.
Everything from different forms of travel, to advice on cultural adaptation ("local
customs"), to living on the road is covered in this readable guide. And with its
extensive bibliography, anything that you would need to know would be easy to find in one
of the many books listed in this useful reference section.
I's give this book five stars for anyone planning or even considering a bike tour of any
of the popular destinations in Africa!
by Larry Rayner
I've read the book, "Bicycling In Africa." Plan to reread it several
times. I read quite a bit. Get ready, compliment coming. A good read. The first
two chapters specifically: finely crafted, the person comes across. Very well
done. The rest of the book is lively (considering the dry subject of cycling),
highly informative, and quite comprehensive.
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