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Into the Heart of Africa
This is a true account of Jerry Smith's trek diagonally across Africa on a motorcycle. It all begins at the northwestern point of Ceuta, through the Sahara Desert, Chad, The Congo, Rwanda and on out to Mombasa by the sea. Smith finds himself traveling across the most severe desert in the world, close to death in the wildest jungles, and making friends with the most intriguing tribal members.
227 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2000
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Smith
2 books2 followersJerry Smith, a member of the Motorcycle Dealers Hall of Fame, a competitive racer, instructor, and a former Iowa motorcycle dealer for 48 years, savors the pleasure of adventure which he can now share with you. As the book unfolds, you will come to know the real person through his inner feelings and his quest for high adventure.
Jerry Smith, (born November 26, 1927 and currently living in Hedrick, Iowa), was an American motorcycle racer from 1945 to 1999 who has been inducted into the Motorcycle Dealer’s Hall of Fame. Smith is also a former professional Flat Track racer and author of the nonfiction book Into the Heart of Africa.
Smith competed in a variety of racing events from Flat Track races and long Enduro Runs to Demolition Derbies, closed circuit Sprint Car races, and many others. He kept racing into his mid-70s, winning championships and competing in treacherous enduro races such as the Colorado 500, which he rode 16 times until he was 72 years old.
In 1971 and again in 1972, Smith rode a touring motorcycle from Iowa to Colombia through Central America with his wife, Josefina Martinez Smith, on the back. During these expeditions Smith was placed in a Nicaraguan Jail in Managua and narrowly escaped the near total demise of Managua by earthquake that December. During that same trip, Smith and Josefina barely escaped an exploration of the Irazu Volcano and were held at gunpoint in El Salvador until Josefina convinced the gunmen she and Smith were of no threat. These were some of many motorcycle travels taken throughout the world earning Smith an award for one of the Highest Lifetime Mileage on a motorcycle. Every trip an adventure and every adventure was off the beaten path.
In 1975, Smith was one of three riders who went over 8000 miles diagonally across the continent of Africa on motorcycle, including the Sahara Desert and the Congo Jungles. During this journey, Smith became one of the few explorers to have seen an Okapi in the wild and managed to take three photographs of the Okapi. In chapter 32 of his book Into the Heart of Africa he describes the Okapi in detail. Smith describes the Okapi as having half its body with shiny black and white stripes (on its rear and legs) and stood approximately 5½ feet tall at the shoulder. He further describes this animal as a member of the giraffe family and states that he saw them located at about 2 degrees North and 27 degrees East in a valley in Zaire, and was told of more Okapi in the Virunda Mountains. Smith has one of his pictures of the animal on page 171 of his book and another on his website.
Jerry Smith, (born November 26, 1927 and currently living in Hedrick, Iowa), was an American motorcycle racer from 1945 to 1999 who has been inducted into the Motorcycle Dealer’s Hall of Fame. Smith is also a former professional Flat Track racer and author of the nonfiction book Into the Heart of Africa.
Smith competed in a variety of racing events from Flat Track races and long Enduro Runs to Demolition Derbies, closed circuit Sprint Car races, and many others. He kept racing into his mid-70s, winning championships and competing in treacherous enduro races such as the Colorado 500, which he rode 16 times until he was 72 years old.
In 1971 and again in 1972, Smith rode a touring motorcycle from Iowa to Colombia through Central America with his wife, Josefina Martinez Smith, on the back. During these expeditions Smith was placed in a Nicaraguan Jail in Managua and narrowly escaped the near total demise of Managua by earthquake that December. During that same trip, Smith and Josefina barely escaped an exploration of the Irazu Volcano and were held at gunpoint in El Salvador until Josefina convinced the gunmen she and Smith were of no threat. These were some of many motorcycle travels taken throughout the world earning Smith an award for one of the Highest Lifetime Mileage on a motorcycle. Every trip an adventure and every adventure was off the beaten path.
In 1975, Smith was one of three riders who went over 8000 miles diagonally across the continent of Africa on motorcycle, including the Sahara Desert and the Congo Jungles. During this journey, Smith became one of the few explorers to have seen an Okapi in the wild and managed to take three photographs of the Okapi. In chapter 32 of his book Into the Heart of Africa he describes the Okapi in detail. Smith describes the Okapi as having half its body with shiny black and white stripes (on its rear and legs) and stood approximately 5½ feet tall at the shoulder. He further describes this animal as a member of the giraffe family and states that he saw them located at about 2 degrees North and 27 degrees East in a valley in Zaire, and was told of more Okapi in the Virunda Mountains. Smith has one of his pictures of the animal on page 171 of his book and another on his website.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 4, 2017
What an adventure! I enjoyed the journey through Africa. It was interesting to get an inside view of the culture and different places in Africa. It must have been awesome to wake up in the morning knowing you were going to explore new territory in Africa. And all this happens on a motorcycle. This book is a must read for anyone with a wanderlust for adventure.
December 27, 2014
I bought this as a gift. It's a wonderful travel read as well as a motorcycle lover's free-spirited adventure for them. Very enjoyable.
July 25, 2020
Interesting. Wished more details, logistics, and more impressions.
August 25, 2021
Jerry was one of a kind. A true adventurer and a kind soul. I'm blessed to have finally heard so many of his stories.
February 18, 2026
The spirit of adventure was really strong throughout the book. Wish there was a little more detail and better photos, but he's an adventurer and not an author. :)
January 27, 2013
The author was doing a book signing at Hawkeye Downs. I was interested because of the trip Ryan and I took to Egypt in 2010 AND because Ryan loves touring on his motorcycle. I thoroughly enjoyed talking to the older gentleman. He allowed me to take his photo and I glued it inside the book cover. Before giving the book to Ryan for Christmas I had to read it. Fun and scarey at time what they ran into. I cannot imagine such a trip as they took!
January 29, 2011
As soon as I started reading it it captured me. It was good until about half way, then the chapters were getting longer and the stories weren't as interesting and riveting. The last 3rd of the book got better again. Overal it was a lot of fun to read about all of his adventures crossing Africa on the motorcycle.
March 23, 2012
Interesting read. I met the author at a gun show.
October 17, 2013
Interesting. Oftentimes confusing uf you have any sort of distractions
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews