Cute baby in a pannier. Born to be a bicycle tourer.
Baby in a pannier showing of her helmet. Born to be a bicycle tourer and travel the world. I met this little one's parents on the road back when they were little more strangers and she was the proverbial sparkle in their eyes.

Doubt you’re doubt

This article is part of a series

After cycling up the West Coast, and struggling with a worn-out bicycle, including a cracked fork and broken front axle, and a worn-out body, including creaky knees and a dislocated rib, I decided to recuperate at my family’s home in Waukesha, WI. My re-imagination of my book tour is going well. I plan to restart soon from Maine and head south to Florida in a literal going-for-broke bicycling book tour blitz.

I also had a bit of an epiphany earlier today while de-kinking my body in yoga, that my negative emotions are not so negative. For example, isn’t guilt really saying, “C’mon, you’ve got talents you’re not using.” Isn’t pain saying, “Do something different?” Isn’t boredom saying, “This isn’t my path in life.” Isn’t doubt really saying, “I can’t do something, but I think I might like to try.”

Aren’t “negative” emotions like guardian angels? And besides, isn’t it fun to laugh until you cry?

What are you afraid of? Why is that a good thing?

Pictured above:

I cycled with Edwin Tucker from Nepal to Tibet, including cycling up to Everest Base Camp. Edwin met Cathy in Kathmandu shortly before I arrived on the scene, and here we see the result — Ms. Anna Tucker getting an early start as a world bicycle tourist featured here aboard my bicycle. The Tuckers went above and beyond the call of hospitality when hosting my recent stay at their lovely home in Vancouver. And for the record, I’ve actually been inspired to think about this having kids thing everyone seems to be doing at my age.

If you liked this article...

You'll love Falling Uphill

Every chapter answers a question that people asked me while I traveled the world, but unlike this matter-of-fact article, Falling Uphill is told as it is happening. You’ll feel like you’re riding a bicycle right alongside me, and reliving all the literal ups and downs.

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My debut video as a backup dancer in a Bollywood blockbuster movie. This is the catchy song "Mohabbat Hai Mirchi" from the movie "Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne."