Well, the weather crisis here is playing havoc with even my modest sailing plans. It's just too hot basically and the threat of bushfires means that when I'm not sheltering (inside or the beach), I'm working to make the property safe.
So, after the following meeting, i thought it might be good to make a weekly post about someone I meet, or a significant event in my non-sailing life.
Anyway, during the week following New Year's, I think it was my birthday, I met an interesting guy at the beach. I had a long swim in the sea and was feeling energised and liberated, and heading towards the shower I saw a guy ťying of this gear to a bicycle. I first noticed he has a long limber monkey lashed astern like it was hanging on. Not your average bear! I checked about and then I noticed that the frame was littered with tiny storage compartments made of canvas or Kevlar. But the thing is, it has this grime about it, like it was heavily used, but not neglected.
The guy gave me a modest smile as I commented on his monkey, "that's Udo" he said. I just smiled. But after my open air shower my curiosity peaked:
"Do you ride a long way?" I asked .
He said: "Yes, I hope to cycle around the world". He then went on to say "across America, Europe, Asia, China, now Australia and then New Zealand".
I said: "wow! You're nearly home".
He thought that was a great laugh. " I ride to Melbourne. Then fly to Auckland in two weeks and after that Hawaii. "
I am like wow this is ago amazing. Here we are on a crowded beach and we have a guy who's ridden a push bike almost around the world, and nobody knows anything.
He modestly explained that he rode alone and unsupported. He travels light, buying food as he needs to eat, and apparently stays in motels.
His favorite place was Jordan.
So, there you go. It's a bit like " you had to be there", but I thought it was amazing. The only person I have conversed with outside or work or family, for weeks, and he's an ATW cyclist!
I didn't even get his name, so I call him Duo, but pronounce it " You Do".
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