A Toubabou on the Horizon: 25000 km of emotions by bike

by Filippo Graglia

"Who is better off? The person who looks for happiness through buying a new car or new clothes? Or he who has just enough to live on, and has time to spend laughing and joking with friends in the shade of a tree? Is there not a greater social dignity in the respect they pay to the elderly and the less fortunate?".
Travelling gives us many answers, but it can also give rise to many questions.
This is the story of the adventure of an engineer, a traveller. A car accident helps him understand that now is the time for self-fulfilment. The author starts from the house where he grew up in Northern Italy and goes on a journey far away from the tourist circuits. On his way, he travels over the Sahara and crosses the heart of the continent - the equatorial forest - until he reaches the farthest/southernmost point where the Atlantic and Indian oceans embrace. Overall, he covers 25,000 kilometres in 615 days and gets through 11 tyres and 8 chains.
During the journey, he is arrested and even bedridden with malaria for twenty days. However, each person he meets provides a moment for exchange; forging bonds that are strengthened around a campfire. There is only the simplicity of life and a welcoming smile, in the search for new questions where it all began, in Africa.

343 pages, Paperback

Published June 4, 2021

Reviews

[Ivan Kuznetsov · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone who travels by bicycle, who is interested in Africa and wants to get a virtual adventure to inspire for a real one. I liked almost everything about the book. Let me explain. The first is a creative introduction, which the author divided into three not long parts. We are slowly moving into his world. The second is the structure, which comes from his unusual itinerary. To travel through all of West Africa is an achievement itself. Third, is the author’s writing style. His speech is simple, short, and clear. The travel narrative is mixed with many great thoughts not only about traveling but about life in general. So the book is well-written and well-edited. Fourth, is the details. "A Toubabou" is like watching a movie. The author has a very accurate eye. He skillfully picks up details and combines them into a coherent story. Finally, I’m just glad that the author’s journey ended well and he wrote the second book in this series about Asia. Of the “cons,” I would just mention the size of the book. Personally, it was big for me, as I prefer to read two or even three shorter books during the same time. However, that is always at the discretion of the reader and only the reader. Some will read it in two or three days. At the end, I recommend this book to all lovers of travelogues, bicycle travel, and Africa, as well as Italy, the author’s home country. The book is worth its money and the time spent reading it. You will not be disappointed. Best of luck to Filippo!

[Seif Kamel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filippo took us through Africa on his bike!
This book tough me about Africa more than any school book in Africa.
Thanks Fili for having the courage to go on this adventure & thanks for being courageous in taking the leap to write this book.