How Do I Look…
Bike packing frees you from thinking about how you look because there are no mirrors and whether your legs are turning the pedals is far more important. If only it always could be like that.
Tag: 2026
Listening
When the amount of ambient sound decreases it is much easier to listen, like when you are in the mountains of Mongolia. Listen to the environment, your partner, your internal state. Having space to listen is special.
Heat
The Altai mountains, and Xinjiang China, are hot! While many places are experiencing rising temperatures from climate change, 40C has been a normal summer temperature in these regions for millenia. How have humans survived here for over 45,000 years?
People are kind
My empirical observations while cycle touring confirm people are innately kind. My hypothesis is that societal requirements and dictates get in the way of that fundamental human behaviour, putting other values above kindness.
Why Worry?
We are aiming to cycle from Oskemen (east Kazakhstan) through Xinjiang (China) to Khovd (western Mongolia). Should we be worried?
Are cow bells cruel?
Cow bells are as intrinsic to the Swiss landscape as mountain peaks and wooden houses with steep roofs. But how would you like to have a permanently attached bell clinking and clanking as you move? And why would cows be any different?
Has Science Sold Out?
Should scientists be focused on the greater good? Or should we be realistic about scientists, like everyone else, wanting a job?
Of toilets and rubbish (mostly)
France, a land of great scenery, architecture, baking, and terrible toilets. Why does New Zealand think toilets and rubbish bins are essential to support tourism when France is full of tourists and deplete of public toilets?
Built beauty
Why do we think some buildings are particularly beautiful? And why do we think old buildings are beautiful? Especially given how uncomfortable many would be to live in?