Susanna August 18, 2021

 I have always believed that one receives what one gives. If I am friendly to others, others will most likely be friendly to me. If I trust or respect others, others will most likely trust or respect me. In my experience, this is true in everything one does, and it is something that cannot magically be expected to happen. We need to be proactive and start the giving process ourselves. I try to instill this in my children through actions not words, and in all possible circumstances.

This is especially true when traveling on a bicycle, as one can be–or be perceived as  being–more vulnerable. A nomadic life, sharing streets with cars and sometimes trucks, and literally being less physically protected. So as we cycle and as we live this lifestyle, we interact with people along the way. Sometimes just to ask for directions, sometimes to purchase food, sometimes to share something along the way. At a very minimum, to show the most basic act of politeness: recognizing each other’s presence by saying “bonjour” or “bonsoir.” We usually get a warm response in return and other times these brief exchanges result in a conversation or shared experiences. 
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One example of this is the couple we met in Brussels before leaving (Aug. 14 post). Another example is a family we met along the Eurovelo–on their way home after cycle touring the region and they were also musicians. We talked about our different routes, about our different instruments, and they warned us of a closure due to flooding repairs further along the Eurovelo that made it very hard for bicycle trailers to pass. They also told us what they did to bypass that closure (below there's a video of Camilo helping us bypass the closure).

Meeting people along the way is one of the most rewarding experiences that traveling by bicycle allows in a way that no other traveling has allowed me to experience. Perhaps it is because on a bicycle, one is not very threatening. Perhaps it is because one travels at a much slower pace, there is more time and little physical distance between one and others. Or perhaps it is simply a mindset that one has when cycle touring which makes us more receptive to interactions. Regardless, these interactions almost seem like a natural extension to the cycling experience and they are very uplifting, every single time.