Where has the year gone? On the 12th July 2008 I pedalled the last miles of my Long Ride Home. I wasn’t entirely sure what the year ahead would bring back then, but it was clear in my mind that I’d be beginning another two-wheeled adventure before long.

The year has had its ups and downs - just like anyone elses. There has been plenty of time for reflection and part of me has questioned whether I should abandon the nomadic lifestyle I adopted on the road in favour of something more conventional - whatever that might be. Surely cycling 30,000 miles across thirty countries is a big enough adventure of a lifetime? Why am I about to do it all over again and cycle through Africa?

The simple answer is because I want to. Cycling through Africa had been in my mind long before finishing  The Long Ride Home and I’ve held onto that dream despite all the doubts about doing it that creep into my head. It would have been easy to continue with the English teaching that I began back in February. I even managed to combine this quite well with the talks I was giving in schools and village halls. They were always transient plans however  - money to keep the pot afloat, and I know that if I gave up on the Africa trip I’d possibly regret it in the future. I will continue with the talks by speaking at schools in Europe and Africa to raise funds for the Against Malaria Foundation.

So in less than 5 weeks I’ll be pedaling back out from the front drive to begin another adventure. It’s going to be an exciting and nervous month.

My collection of cycle-related travelogues continues to grow as two new books arrived in the post at the weekend. The Road that has no end and Down the road in South America were sent to me by Tim and Cindy Travis, two intrepid Americans who sold everything to begin a new life cycling the World. To date they’ve been travelling 7 years, with no current plans to stop.

I wonder how Africans would react to me cycling through the continent on one of these?

In just over six weeks I will be embarking on my African cycling adventure. There’s still lots to organise, but with the weather in current form I’m making the most of the weekends by being out on the bike. A large package arrived in the post last week from Lyon. The equipment list is slowly being filled and with fingers crossed a new website will be live by the end of the week thanks to my friends at Juno.

 An interesting article here about life on the road from my cycling friends the Travelling Two.

There is something hopelessly romantic about the idea of becoming a modern-day nomad. Who among travel aficionados would not swap a short vacation and a looming return flight for the ability to wake up each day in a new location? Goodbye cubicle, hello freedom.

While it is true that existing as a hobo can be hugely freeing and rewarding, giving up familiar surroundings and routines for a life on the move can be a more difficult transition than it first appears. There are a host of practical and emotional aspects to consider. Read more

Sponsorship money is steadily coming in for the Against Malaria Foundation. Today I past the £1000 mark, so many thanks to those who’ve pledged their support. It’s less than 2 months now before I begin my next cycling adventure. The aim is to raise £1 for every mile that I cycle between the UK and Cape Town. I’m excited to be working with the AMF as it will be me who is helping to distribute the mosquito nets in Africa.

Malaria prevention is one of the most important issues in Africa. Bednets save lives and £3 guarantees that someone will receive a net. Here is one of many videos showing how.

I spend a lot of my free time browsing bicycle-related websites. Many of them are focused on touring, such as this one, this one and this one. There are of course many other kinds of websites or blogs dedicated to the bicycle. I recently came across this Top 50 list list of cycling blogs. It’s a shame there are no touring websites included. Perhaps these should be compiled in a different list altogether. For the coolness factor my favourite is this one. 

Tibet ranks amongst the World’s most adventurous places to travel in. I was lucky enough to be there in 2006. In late 2007 the Chinese began cracking down on independent travel and for the last two years it’s been virtually impossible to go there without joining an expensive and organised tour - much to the annoyance of many cycle tourers. Here’s a great video that captures something of the essence of this magical and troubled land.

Journey as Destination - HD from Dave A on Vimeo.