Neil Peart s travel memoir of thoughts observations and experiences as he cycles through West Africa reveals the subtle yet powerful writing style that has made him one of rock s greatest lyricists. As he describes his extraordinary journey and his experiences -- from the pains of dysentery to a confrontation with an armed soldier to navigating dirt roads off the beaten path -- he reveals his own emotional landscape and along the way the different \ masks\ that he discovers he wears. \ Cycling is a good way to travel anywhere but especially in Africa. You are independent and mobile and yet travel at people speed -- fast enough to travel on to another town in the cooler morning hours but slow enough to meet people: the old farmer at the roadside who raises his hand and says You are welcome the tireless women who offer a smile to a passing cyclist the children whose laughter transcends the humblest home.\