Race To Dakar

by Charley Boorman

Published 21 September 2006
In January 2006, 230 people raced in trucks, cars and motorbikes from Lisbon to Dakar in the 28th annual Dakar rally -- the most dangerous race in the world. Taking part was a team of three bikers: Matt Hall, Simon Pavey ...and actor and bike nut Charley Boorman. After his celebrated trip round the world with Ewan McGregor, documented in the No.1 bestselling book LONG WAY ROUND, Charley was keen for another challenge. Racing in the Dakar had always been a dream of his, and so it was the obvious choice for a new adventure. Supported by Australian champion biker Simon Pavey and experienced British biker Matt Hall, Charley attempted to do what many professional bikers have failed to do -- to compete in the Dakar rally, the most challenging race in existence. His book details his extraordinary adventures, and those of his fellow bikers, and also explores the history of this most dramatic and romantic of races. From Portugal through Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea and Senegal, it also provides a unique look at the countries hosting the rally. It is an exhilarating and fitting sequel to LONG WAY ROUND.

Charley Boorman is back in the saddle for a brand-new, adrenaline-fuelled adventure!

He begins his journey racing north from Sydney up the Gold Coast, where he hitches a ride in a Spitfire. In Papua New Guinea he takes a hand-made canoe through tropical rainforest to stay in a remote tribal village almost untouched by the outside world. He drives a tuk-tuk made of bamboo in the Philippines, rides with the Mad Dog biker gang in Manila and eats deep-fried crickets in Taiwan before reaching his final destination in Tokyo.

From active volcanoes to coffee plantations to hilltop monasteries, Charley takes an exhilarating ride through some of the most spectacular countries in the world. Fast paced and fascinating, Right to the Edge is a gripping read from one of our very best travel-adventure writers.