Reset
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ROB
Rob is a cyclist I used to work with and he wanted to know what I experience on the road. He wanted to feel it for himself. That’s what he told me in 2017. One year later he was standing in front of me in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with his bicycle, paniers and big smile. A man that keeps his word. In Holland we say ‘he’s cut from the right type of wood.’ The final goal of this trip? Hit Robbie’s reset button, clearing the mind.
CHANGE
Besides cycling Rob was also looking for the reset button. An empty head and do what he likes doing. A good reason for me to have people cycling with me. And he is not the only one looking for a reset. Last year I’ve met many travelers who were completely finished with their contemporary life. People who started thinking about a change, a new life. Men, women, rich, poor, young or old. They’re waking up and come from all over the world.
They see the trap and start wondering why, start asking question, start doing their own research. They are done with media, politicians, companies or a growing stress environment. Aside from that, work is a theme that pops up many times. Only about making (short term thinking) money or a team to work with in which everybody has their own agenda to get higher on the status ladder. Don’t have too much experience with that personally. Doesn’t really build up your integrity if you ask me. Besides, at some point you might start believing that ‘this is just the way things work’. But hey, let’s skip the small talk, we’re cycling here.
ROCKET
Rob is a cycling animal and he goes like a rocket. That basically means that I also have to cycle like a rocket. We cycled the highest mountain in Thailand with 15% to 18% gradients. Off road in Laos ending up in the middle of nowhere and 40+ degrees celcius monsterdays from 160 to 180 km’s. But I have to admit I also liked to cycle rocket style in between stunning nature and local cultures. In the end we had a great adventure in which we got absorbed into the mighty Mekong river flowing beside us. The people, the jungle, undiscovered spots, foodies, and a wild party in Bangkok made it complete.
IN SHORT
Rob sent me beautiful words. Words that show that the reset actually took place. For that, grateful I am. As far as the rest of trip is concerned the pictures speak for themselves.
I am now in Malaysia. Hardly cycling. Can’t seem to help it but the child in me just takes over every now and then. Had a small accident on a waterfall and the bone up my ass prefers to stay in a relaxing mode. So now what? Now nothing. Cycling like this is living a big rollercoaster. It just keeps on going. But there’s a difference now. Nobody will cycle with me in the next months or so, there’s no social project involved for a while and I don’t have anything planned. So I’m gonna go – just like Rob – into reset and let happen whatever will happen. Good for the mind and definitely good for the ass.
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