North – South 2011
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Preparing to such journey is much about learning about the places to be visited, and studying experience of previous travelers. I'm not going to be the first one to cycle on this route. It would be shameful not to read books or watch movies about the parts of the world I intend to travel through.

In my search of inspirations I focus mostly on Africa. Europe is quite well known to me and also I touched the Middle Eastern culture too. Further, there lies a mystery.

Inspirations

The unquestionable master, pioneer and ideal to follow is, of course, Kazimierz Nowak, who crossed Africa southwards and back in 1931-1936. Alone, by bike, on foot, riding a horse and sailing on a boat, carrying entire darkroom with him. His achievement is not going to be eclipsed by anyone, as in the age of Internet, cell phones and dense network of airlines such a brave journey is simply impossible. I recommend a great book, which is a compilation of his long letters sent along the route – "Rowerem i pieszo przez Czarny Ląd" ("By bike and on foot through the Black Land"). There is no translation available, still.

The exact Nowak's path is being followed precisely by a bicycle relay – Afryka Nowaka (Nowak's Africa). It's participants might be met easily at any travelers' gathering in Poland.

Nowadays there are lots of two-wheeled travelers, but one of them inspired me so greatly, I decided to wander the world on a bike. This man is Peter Gostelow, who came back from Japan to his home in Great Britain and now, when I'm typing these words, is crossing Africa from Morocco to the South.

I know about only single individual who completed the route I'm planning. His name is Pete Mounfield. Unfortunately, in Africa he quit blogging, but eventually reached his destination.

Books

• Ryszard Kapuściński: The Emperor (Ethiopia), The Shadow of the Sun, If all Africa...
• Wojciech Jagielski: Nocni wędrowcy (Uganda)
• Deborah Scroggins: Emma's War (Sudan)
• Peter Godwin: When a Crocodile Eats the Sun (Zimbabwe)
• Harry Ades: A traveller's history of Egypt
• Philip Gourevitch: We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families (Rwanda)
• Barbara Kingsolver: The Poisonwood Bible
• Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen): Out of Africa

Movies

• Terry George: Hotel Rwanda
• Fernand Meirelles: The Constant Gardener – a fictional story taking place in Kenya and Southern Sudan, based loosely on a true story from Nigeria.
• Roger Spottiswoode: Shake Hands with the Devil
• Gavin Hood: Tsotsi
• Giles Foden: The Last King of Scotland

Other websites

• Podróże rowerowe (Bicycle travels) – (in Polish only) the biggest and the best Polish forum in that matter.
• Yaho de Ville: Afryka - Plecak - Przygoda (Africa - Backpack - Adventure) – (in Polish only) a site of experienced Africa traveler. Great source of inspirations and practical information as well.

Radio

In March I gave an interview to Radio Microwave. You may listen to the recording in the archive. The talk was in Polish, but we had also a plenty of great music from Africa playing there.