African Adventure Motorcycle Travel

Brew Ha-Ha – What a GoodRead

I have rarely looked at the Goodreads book review website; I used to think it was a bit of a review cul de sac. But it was recently purchased by Amazon, so it must be doing some business.

Yesterday I checked it out and noticed a number of reviews for African Brew Ha-Ha. So it's not such a minority sport after all.

In fact, the site now has 11 million members who make 20 million monthly visits.

Thank you to everyone – from Finland to Michigan to Nevada to Ontario to Rotherham – who has taken the time to rate or review my books.

Biker, Traveller, Writer, Revolutionary... Che Guevara's hidden talent

Revolutionary hero or despised anti-capitalist, Che Guevara was certainly a great overland traveller and a writer of elegant prose. Pick up a copy of The Motorcycle Diaries to discover how good travel writing with a social conscience can make for compelling narrative. 

Recently, I couldn't visit the beautiful city of Cordoba, Argentina without spending an afternoon in nearby Alta Gracia, at Che's childhood home. 

For adventure bikers, the centrepiece of the house - now a museum - is [alas only] a replica of La Poderosa, The Mighty One, the 500cc Norton on which he travelled from Argentina over the Andes to Chile. He rode two-up with a fellow medical student but after numerous crashes and a few thousand kilometres the bike gave up the ghost. But they continued on foot, by cadging lifts and blagging their way through South America. The discoveries he made on the trip fueled his political beliefs, which culminated in the Marxist Cuban revolution of 1959.

But if all that had failed he might have had a great career as a travel writer.

Wham Bam, Thank You Sam

It's not often I blog about other biker travellers but I will make an exception for Sam Manicom.

Sam is one of those guys who always shows up at biker events, and finds time to talk to both novices and old-timers about his amazing experiences from the seat of an old BMW, which he has taken around the world. He is a great ambassador for adventure biking; his modesty is disarming and his enthusiasm infectious.

He was one of the first people to inspire me to ride further than Devil's Bridge and see what lay at the end of the road; so thanks for that, Sam.

You can get a flavour of his adventures from the titles of his books: Into Africa; Under Asian Skies; Distant Suns; and Tortillas to Totems.

World's Great Adventure Motorcycle Routes

Here's an inspirational way to spend a wintery afternoon - browse through this terrific travel cum coffee table book that should brighten up your day.

It's published by Haynes and edited by Robert Wicks with contributions from a posse of experienced bikers - including chapter two about my overland trek to Cape Town.

There are tales from overland bikers who've done Africa (me!), Asia, the Americas, and everywhere in between.

There are 260 beautiful colour pages of places you're just dying to visit. The book not only reproduces images from the trips but also gives vital information for bikers planning a journey to all parts of the world.

It's discounted at Amazon now 

Blood River

I have recently returned from a stress-free month in Cape Town. While I was there I spent a happy hour sharing travel and publishing stories with Tim Butcher, author of the best-selling (and terrific) Blood River.

The book recounts a journey through DR Congo, and delves into the country's chaotic past. It is a superb tale, movingly told in crisp yet profound prose. I learned much about African history and found myself envying him his experiences, while stirring in me the urge to plan another journey. All the things you want from great travel writing.

The strapline to Tim's book is 'A journey to Africa's broken heart'. It's a reminder that travelling through Africa can grip the emotions like no other place.

Good writing can do that too. And for that reason I emphatically recommend Blood River to anyone who enjoys a tightly-written but multi-layered travel story and who would like to peek into a dark corner of the world.

Go here

Portable as a Kindle - and often faster than the African Brew Ha-Ha

 

Lending Library in Garissa, Kenya.

African Brew Ha-Ha Joins the Army!

 

Ex-Squaddie Steven McLaughlin gave a riveting talk some weeks ago to a business club I belong to. He has an engaging and very personal story to tell about why he joined up and how he coped with life as a 'grunt' in the army.

At the age of 31 - almost a pensioner in Squaddie terms - he became the oldest ever recruit to pass the grueling Combat Infantryman's Course and then joined the Royal Green Jackets. He went on to serve in Iraq and Northern Ireland.

When Steve finished his talk he was overwhelmed by people who wanted a signed copy of his book. He sold every copy he brought.

He showed me how to inspire an audience about a little-known subject - which is why we shall be touring together the book fairs of Lancashire this year. Look out for Squaddie & Brew Ha-Ha - the double bill.

If you've ever wanted to know more about life as a recruit in today's army, buy his book Squaddie: A Soldier's Story.

Talk the Talk

 

Following publication of my book, African Brew Ha Ha, on April 5 2010, I will be hosting a number of talks and signings about my 14,000-mile overland motorcycle trip from Lancashire to Cape Town in search of the ultimate cup of tea.

Most of the events are in sunny Lancashire. Let me know if you would like to attend as some are not open to the general public.

MAR 28     Private Party

               Lytham (2.30-4.30pm) Tea & Cakes and Mike Finnigan!

APRIL 8     Forward Business Lunch - Talk

                Dicconson Arms, Appley Bridge (12-2pm)

APRIL 16    Business Breakfast Club - Talk

                Marriott Hotel, Preston (7-9am)

April 27     Kirkham Probus - Talk

                Conservative Club, Kirkham (10-11.30am)

MAY 6       Preston North Rotary Club - Talk

                The Grapes, Wrea Green (6.30-8pm)

MAY 7       Pink Link - Talk

                Imperial Hotel, Blackpool (9.30am)

MAY 8       Lytham Book Fair - Meet and Book signing

                Assembly Rooms, Lytham (10am-4pm)

MAY 12     Garstang Rotary Club - Talk

                The Pickerings, Garstang (7.30-9pm)

MAY 14     University of the Third Age (U3A) - Talk

                UR Church, St Annes (10.30am-12pm)

MAY 15     Barton Book Fair - Meet & Book signing

                Barton Village Hall (10am-4pm)

MAY 30     Ingleton Book Fair - Meet & Book signing

                Ingleton Community Hall (10am-4pm)

JUNE 25    Horizons Unlimited Bike Meet - Talk

                Lumb Farm, Marehay (tbc)

AUG 3       Poulton Probus Club - Talk

                River Wyre, Poulton (10.30am)

AUG 5       Cleveleys Probus Club - Talk

                Masonic Hall, Cleveleys (10am)

AUG 28     Lytham Book Fair - Meet & Book signing

                Assembly Rooms, Lytham (10am-4pm)

SEP 12      Ingleton Book Fair - Meet & Book signing

                Ingleton Community Hall, Ingleton (10am-4pm)

OCT 2      Gargrave Book Fair - Meet & Book signing

               Village Hall, Gargrave (10am-4pm)

OCT 9      Hornby Book Fair - Meet & Book signing

               The Institute, Hornby (10am-4pm)

OCT 21     St Annes Probus Club - Talk

               Pensioners' Hall, St Annes (10am)

African Brew Ha Ha - The FREE Show

 
Looking forward to the publication of my travel book African Brew Ha Ha in April 2010, I will be available to give after dinner talks, club guest speaker slots or group presentations FREE. 

The talk is about the 14,000-mile solo motorcycle trip through Africa - Blackburn to Cape Town - in search of the ultimate cup of tea, and is suitable for:

• Travel clubs
• Motorcycle clubs
• Rotary Clubs
• Probus Clubs
• Business networking clubs
• Tea Dances!!
• Any clubs that enjoy a good story well told

I would like as many people as possible to read the book (now that it's taken me 2 years, and all), so I will be available from April 2010 to speak at your club or one that you know.

The talk is FREE but I will expect some expenses if I have to travel.

It's a great story and I've got some terrific pictures to show. You won't be disappointed.

Email me now alan@inkwellpr.co.uk

The Book of the Blog of the Trip

The African Brew Ha Ha keeps brewing ...

African Brew Ha Ha - the book - will soon be available to all the abhaha fans who could not get enough of the blog!

Publication of the book about my tea tour through Africa is due in April 2010 in the UK from the good people at Summersdale. Then who knows!

I've already had a great endorsement from travel writer Peter Moore who read an early draft of the book. Always thought he was a man of good taste.