When classic motorcycle author Steve Wilson planned his 6,000-mile ride through Africa, perhaps his last real run on two wheels before the bus pass took over, the journey sounded challenging enough - just two Brits on 1950s Ariels, using their own resources to survive life on the wild roads. It became even more hair-raising when events meant he would have to do the ride solo. In this moving account Steve chronicles the entire experience: bike preparation, organisation, mechanical mayhem, personal discovery and - one of the reasons for the trip - raising a cheque for GBP2,000 for a small school in Kawaza, Zambia.

Steve Wilson is a leading classic motorcycle journalist and author of the definitive six-volume British Motorcycles since 1950. He also wrote Triumph Bonneville, in Haynes's 'Great Bikes' series, and his Down The Road, a collection of his best writings about classic motorcycles, became a cult classic. He contributes monthly to Real Classic and Classic Car Mart magazines.