andy jennings

Why solo ? When I cycle tour, it's one of those questions. Oh, you ride solo? I'm married, but my wife doesn't like cycle touring. So rather than tag along and not enjoy it, I go on my own. Today I'm thinking of this question, as my favourite cycling couple Tim and Cindie Travis http://downtheroad.org are no more. Cindie's filing for divorce. It was a shock to me, as I've followed them on the internet for a long time. Almost met up with them once when they were in Tasmania, but missed the connection. But I always liked it that they were out there, riding along. Now Cindie is back in the US with her lawyer, and Tim is sitting in a village in Nepal. So why solo? Is it a macho thing? Well there are plenty of female solo cycle tourers. It's not that. More that it's a selective calling. You've got to ride at the same pace. Have a passion for sitting (and shitting) in the undergrowth. Headwind? No problem. Rain in your face all day? Bring it on. 40 de...

Travelling every day on the Frankston line, there is a wide variety of train passengers. My favourite psycho sat next to me yesterday. A rare occurrence. Let's call him Frederick. He is thirty'ish. Fit. Close cropped hair. Close cropped hair and beard. Gets on at Chelsea. He will do a couple of laps up and down two or three carriages. This involves going back and forth through the carriage connecting doors. Finding the best spot. Yesterday, next to me. I was surprised. There are plenty of rituals for him. Breakfast ritual. Spreads out his breakfast as if he was at home. Eats it. But yesterday it was the sleep-in followed by some exercise. Takes off shoes. Stretches out. Goes back to sleep. For about 25 minutes. Closer to the city, wakes up. Stands up and does a full set of stretching excercises. Takes about ten minutes all up. In the meantime people are leaving and entering the carriage. They have to squeeze in or out past him. Then it's the serious exercise...