#21 Around The World Alone — On A Bicycle 9.19.11

Ok. So you know I traveled around the world for three years alone—on a motorcycle. And I really didn't see everything. There are still plenty of places waiting for my visit. Or at least I'd like to think so. Truth is, there are a lot of places I'm waiting to visit. But that's besides the point. I was in Ethiopia on my motorcycle sometimes in the Spring of 2008. On a desolate stretch of a dusty dirt road between Gondar, Ethiopia and the Sudan border, I ran into to bicyclists from Finland. Though our meeting was short, our time was rich. Sometimes connections are made in seconds, sometimes connections take years to be real. Jukka, then a 30 year old bicyclist with nearly 2 years traveling experience around the world, and I connected. Three years later he finally makes it to the United States and takes me up on my lifelong offer to put him up and share time here in Southern California. In August he and another world-riding Finnish bicyclist planeed to rendezvous in Southern California: here in Encinitas at my cottage by the ocean. Our time was rich again. And we shared stories, photos and great food and conversation. Before these two legends returned to their bicycling journey, I pulled them asisde in my studio for a one-of-a-kind podcast. In this hour-plus long interview I ask the hard questions. And I'm surprised, yet comforted by their answers. Take the time to listen to Jukka and Lukas discuss traveling, motivation, being away from home and loneliness. I think the insight is inspirational.   iTunes Music Store Check out their websites for further inspiration, too! Jukka: jukkasalminen.com Lukas: safebiking.wordpress.com 01:23:10