How Long Does it Take to Cycle From London to Cape Town

Peter Gostelow has just completed his epic cycling trip from London to Cape Town. He pedaled through 24 African countries, each one bringing new terrain to conquer, languages to dispel, and challenges to meet. Along the way he has raised money for the Against Malaria Foundation, and taken time to distribute mosquito nets to remote communities.

Despite the inevitable ups and downs of a trip like this, Peter only thought about giving up once, after being physically attacked in Dakar. An unfortunate experience, but after much thought he decided to power on through. In his two years of cycling after the Dakar incident, he did not experience anything similar. Peter jumped on his bike in August, 2009 and pedaled out of his home village in Dorset. It took him just shy of 3 years to bike 34,000 km's (21127 miles). Here are some excerpts from his final trip blog:

For me, arriving in Cape Town was just like another day on the road, and when you've been going so long, taking detours and moving slowly with no real rush to finish, there is no sudden sense of 'this is the end and I did it'. It kind of sinks in slowly.

Once the skies brightened up it was time to cycle out to Cape Point. I had company from another South African, who also recently cycled from the UK-Cape Town, but in less than six months. The ride was spectacular, and it is easy to see why so many Capetonians get out on their bicycles, and others are drawn to the city with its inspiring coastal location.

The late afternoon sun shone down as I wheeled my bike up for a customary photo at the Cape of Good Hope. This had more of an end-to-an-epic-journey-feel to it as I popped open a bottle of bubbly and revelled in the delight of finally making it, before a tour bus arrived and I found myself surrounded by Japanese tourists.

Read all about Peter's "Big Africa Cycle".

Inspired to jump on a bike and ride through Africa? Here are some resources to get you started - Tips About Cycling in Africa.

How Long Does it Take to Cycle From London to Cape Town

Peter Gostelow has just completed his epic cycling trip from London to Cape Town. He pedaled through 24 African countries, each one bringing new terrain to conquer, languages to dispel, and challenges to meet. Along the way he has raised money for the Against Malaria Foundation, and taken time to distribute mosquito nets to remote communities.

Despite the inevitable ups and downs of a trip like this, Peter only thought about giving up once, after being physically attacked in Dakar. An unfortunate experience, but after much thought he decided to power on through. In his two years of cycling after the Dakar incident, he did not experience anything similar. Peter jumped on his bike in August, 2009 and pedaled out of his home village in Dorset. It took him just shy of 3 years to bike 34,000 km's (21127 miles). Here are some excerpts from his final trip blog:

For me, arriving in Cape Town was just like another day on the road, and when you've been going so long, taking detours and moving slowly with no real rush to finish, there is no sudden sense of 'this is the end and I did it'. It kind of sinks in slowly.

Once the skies brightened up it was time to cycle out to Cape Point. I had company from another South African, who also recently cycled from the UK-Cape Town, but in less than six months. The ride was spectacular, and it is easy to see why so many Capetonians get out on their bicycles, and others are drawn to the city with its inspiring coastal location.

The late afternoon sun shone down as I wheeled my bike up for a customary photo at the Cape of Good Hope. This had more of an end-to-an-epic-journey-feel to it as I popped open a bottle of bubbly and revelled in the delight of finally making it, before a tour bus arrived and I found myself surrounded by Japanese tourists.

Read all about Peter's "Big Africa Cycle".

Inspired to jump on a bike and ride through Africa? Here are some resources to get you started - Tips About Cycling in Africa.

How Long Does it Take to Cycle From London to Cape Town

Peter Gostelow has just completed his epic cycling trip from London to Cape Town. He pedaled through 24 African countries, each one bringing new terrain to conquer, languages to dispel, and challenges to meet. Along the way he has raised money for the Against Malaria Foundation, and taken time to distribute mosquito nets to remote communities.

Despite the inevitable ups and downs of a trip like this, Peter only thought about giving up once, after being physically attacked in Dakar. An unfortunate experience, but after much thought he decided to power on through. In his two years of cycling after the Dakar incident, he did not experience anything similar. Peter jumped on his bike in August, 2009 and pedaled out of his home village in Dorset. It took him just shy of 3 years to bike 34,000 km's (21127 miles). Here are some excerpts from his final trip blog:

For me, arriving in Cape Town was just like another day on the road, and when you've been going so long, taking detours and moving slowly with no real rush to finish, there is no sudden sense of 'this is the end and I did it'. It kind of sinks in slowly.

Once the skies brightened up it was time to cycle out to Cape Point. I had company from another South African, who also recently cycled from the UK-Cape Town, but in less than six months. The ride was spectacular, and it is easy to see why so many Capetonians get out on their bicycles, and others are drawn to the city with its inspiring coastal location.

The late afternoon sun shone down as I wheeled my bike up for a customary photo at the Cape of Good Hope. This had more of an end-to-an-epic-journey-feel to it as I popped open a bottle of bubbly and revelled in the delight of finally making it, before a tour bus arrived and I found myself surrounded by Japanese tourists.

Read all about Peter's "Big Africa Cycle".

Inspired to jump on a bike and ride through Africa? Here are some resources to get you started - Tips About Cycling in Africa.

How Long Does it Take to Cycle From London to Cape Town

Peter Gostelow has just completed his epic cycling trip from London to Cape Town. He pedaled through 24 African countries, each one bringing new terrain to conquer, languages to dispel, and challenges to meet. Along the way he has raised money for the Against Malaria Foundation, and taken time to distribute mosquito nets to remote communities.

Despite the inevitable ups and downs of a trip like this, Peter only thought about giving up once, after being physically attacked in Dakar. An unfortunate experience, but after much thought he decided to power on through. In his two years of cycling after the Dakar incident, he did not experience anything similar. Peter jumped on his bike in August, 2009 and pedaled out of his home village in Dorset. It took him just shy of 3 years to bike 34,000 km's (21127 miles). Here are some excerpts from his final trip blog:

For me, arriving in Cape Town was just like another day on the road, and when you've been going so long, taking detours and moving slowly with no real rush to finish, there is no sudden sense of 'this is the end and I did it'. It kind of sinks in slowly.

Once the skies brightened up it was time to cycle out to Cape Point. I had company from another South African, who also recently cycled from the UK-Cape Town, but in less than six months. The ride was spectacular, and it is easy to see why so many Capetonians get out on their bicycles, and others are drawn to the city with its inspiring coastal location.

The late afternoon sun shone down as I wheeled my bike up for a customary photo at the Cape of Good Hope. This had more of an end-to-an-epic-journey-feel to it as I popped open a bottle of bubbly and revelled in the delight of finally making it, before a tour bus arrived and I found myself surrounded by Japanese tourists.

Read all about Peter's "Big Africa Cycle".

Inspired to jump on a bike and ride through Africa? Here are some resources to get you started - Tips About Cycling in Africa.

How Long Does it Take to Cycle From London to Cape Town

Peter Gostelow has just completed his epic cycling trip from London to Cape Town. He pedaled through 24 African countries, each one bringing new terrain to conquer, languages to dispel, and challenges to meet. Along the way he has raised money for the Against Malaria Foundation, and taken time to distribute mosquito nets to remote communities.

Despite the inevitable ups and downs of a trip like this, Peter only thought about giving up once, after being physically attacked in Dakar. An unfortunate experience, but after much thought he decided to power on through. In his two years of cycling after the Dakar incident, he did not experience anything similar. Peter jumped on his bike in August, 2009 and pedaled out of his home village in Dorset. It took him just shy of 3 years to bike 34,000 km's (21127 miles). Here are some excerpts from his final trip blog:

For me, arriving in Cape Town was just like another day on the road, and when you've been going so long, taking detours and moving slowly with no real rush to finish, there is no sudden sense of 'this is the end and I did it'. It kind of sinks in slowly.

Once the skies brightened up it was time to cycle out to Cape Point. I had company from another South African, who also recently cycled from the UK-Cape Town, but in less than six months. The ride was spectacular, and it is easy to see why so many Capetonians get out on their bicycles, and others are drawn to the city with its inspiring coastal location.

The late afternoon sun shone down as I wheeled my bike up for a customary photo at the Cape of Good Hope. This had more of an end-to-an-epic-journey-feel to it as I popped open a bottle of bubbly and revelled in the delight of finally making it, before a tour bus arrived and I found myself surrounded by Japanese tourists.

Read all about Peter's "Big Africa Cycle".

Inspired to jump on a bike and ride through Africa? Here are some resources to get you started - Tips About Cycling in Africa.

How Long Does it Take to Cycle From London to Cape Town

Peter Gostelow has just completed his epic cycling trip from London to Cape Town. He pedaled through 24 African countries, each one bringing new terrain to conquer, languages to dispel, and challenges to meet. Along the way he has raised money for the Against Malaria Foundation, and taken time to distribute mosquito nets to remote communities.

Despite the inevitable ups and downs of a trip like this, Peter only thought about giving up once, after being physically attacked in Dakar. An unfortunate experience, but after much thought he decided to power on through. In his two years of cycling after the Dakar incident, he did not experience anything similar. Peter jumped on his bike in August, 2009 and pedaled out of his home village in Dorset. It took him just shy of 3 years to bike 34,000 km's (21127 miles). Here are some excerpts from his final trip blog:

For me, arriving in Cape Town was just like another day on the road, and when you've been going so long, taking detours and moving slowly with no real rush to finish, there is no sudden sense of 'this is the end and I did it'. It kind of sinks in slowly.

Once the skies brightened up it was time to cycle out to Cape Point. I had company from another South African, who also recently cycled from the UK-Cape Town, but in less than six months. The ride was spectacular, and it is easy to see why so many Capetonians get out on their bicycles, and others are drawn to the city with its inspiring coastal location.

The late afternoon sun shone down as I wheeled my bike up for a customary photo at the Cape of Good Hope. This had more of an end-to-an-epic-journey-feel to it as I popped open a bottle of bubbly and revelled in the delight of finally making it, before a tour bus arrived and I found myself surrounded by Japanese tourists.

Read all about Peter's "Big Africa Cycle".

Inspired to jump on a bike and ride through Africa? Here are some resources to get you started - Tips About Cycling in Africa.

Like Downton Abbey Youll Love These Books About Keenya

I have spent the past three months immersed in the colonial lives of the first white settlers in Kenya (or "Keenya" as they liked to call it). It started off with a re-read of Beryl Markham's excellent West with the Night, and I just got carried away with the genre. If you loved watching "Out of Africa" or "White Mischief" and have become enchanted with the Edwardian drama Downton Abbey, you may enjoy reading the list of books below. They are ranked in order of my personal preference.

• Beryl Markham -- West with the Night (beautifully written autobiography)
• Elspeth Huxley -- The Flame Trees of Thika (autobiography)
• Bror Blixen -- African Hunter (autobiography)
• Mary Lovell -- Straight On Till Morning (life and times of Beryl Markham)
• Elspeth Huxley -- Out in the Midday Sun (autobiography)
• Isak Dinesen -- Out of Africa (autobiography, made into the famous movie of the same name)
• Sara Wheeler -- Too Close to the Sun (life and times of Denys Finch Hatton)
• Mark Seal -- Wildflower (life and times of conservationist Joan Root - set a bit later in the century)
• Frances Osborne -- The Bolter (life and times of socialite Idina Sackville)

I have now had more than enough of the "upstairs", it's time to check back into the "downstairs" crew. I have just ordered Tsitsi Dangaremba's 1988 novel Nervous Conditions. I can't wait to start it.

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