Kapp to Cape

September 1, 2017
In 2013, extreme-adventure devotee Pakravan, an Iranian living in London, and his friend Steve Pawley undertook the challenge of cycling unsupported from Nordkapp, Norway, to Cape Town, South Africa. Their goal was to pedal the 11,000 miles in 100 days and thereby earn a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. This was no typical trek, the kind where flat tires pose the main obstacle; rather, the authors faced such ordeals as encounters with wild animals, horrific heat, torrential rains, bouts of malaria, even a run-in with an armed militia. Throughout the 13 countries (Norway, Finland, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa)some of which were beset by war, in addition to harsh conditionsthe riders suffered physical and psychological challenges but also experienced heartwarming interactions with a diverse cross section of humanity. Pakravan's inspiring, often riveting account of his adventure showcases his remarkable optimism and benefits from a pleasing balance of humor and introspection.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)