Even as I left Uganda at the end of my first bicycle tour, I knew I was coming back to Africa. That was almost eight years ago. Frankly, the air costs of travel to that most fascinating of continents (or, in fact, almost anywhere across the pond that isn't Europe) is a little daunting. Then, there's life events that contrive to get in the way: a Master's degree for Gill; marriage; new full-time jobs; moving (several times—to different cities at one point). And so on. I'm therefore happy to say that in November 2007 I'll be finally able to revisit my dream of travelling again in Africa by bicycle. This time, the destination is Cameroon. And this time, our little group of four will consist of my wife, Gill; AJ, my former boss; Il Kim, a fervent Rush fan for whom this will be her 6th trip; and our commander and chief—Bicycle Africa's David Mozer.

As David points out on his website, Cameroon likes to describe itself as "Africa in miniature": It has rainforest, grasslands, arid lands, mountains, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, countless micro climates and over 200 languages. The number of languages is a good proxy for the ethnic diversity. Included in this diversity is variations in architecture, cuisine, art, dress, economic activity, religion and almost every other aspect of human endeavor. It is both a fascinating and extraordinary beautiful country. It would take a lifetime to really understand all of the nuance of Cameroon, but by its vary nature, a bicycle tours is a good way to get started.

Cameroon also happens to be the country that Neil Peart wrote about in "The Masked Rider", and my inspiration (as well as Il Kim's) to go to Africa. At the time, I had been thinking about cycling across Canada. During the course of researching such a trip, I stumbled upon Bicycle Africa—and remembered it from reading Neil's book. Amusingly, Neil's book almost reads as a list of reasons not to embark on such a trip: drunken soldiers; bad roads; horrible dysentry; getting lost; biligerent officials. And so on. For all that, I think his book is actually a good thing to read in advance of such a trip as it keeps expectations realistic—plus the fact that I care less about the cycling itself: unlike Neil, I view it more as a means than an end. I'd sooner just as walk than bicycle, which is why I haven't been on one in a couple of years since moving downtown.

Even though the trip is five months away, I thought I'd put in my "introduction" now: this type of travelling requires a bit more preparation than most: there is (for example): getting in shape; readying bicycles; transporting and packaging bicycles; a 3 day layover in Paris to consider; vaccinations; passport renewals; visas; and some specialized equipment required. I may pop in an entry now and again to help anyone either carrying out or considering a bicycle trip, and in particular a bicycle trip in Africa. (And please do consider a bicycle trip with Bicycle Africa.) Another interesting "difference" from my previous trip is that I will be bringing along a folding bicycle this time: the Dahon Speed TR. It's a specialized touring model, and it will be interesting to see how it holds up to the rigors of airline personel and African roads.

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