As we close in on the end of 2024, I’m reminded that time itself is a curious concept. The past doesn’t exist, and the future hasn’t happened. We are only ever in the eternal now. Yet despite this undeniable fact, I’m older but none the wiser.

Along with being an avid list maker, a consequence of bike packing, I always make New Year’s resolutions. At this time of year, I tally up my supposed successes measured against my imagined failures in the forlorn hope of breaking even.

Like many people, I’ve had a good year tinged with sadness. Therese and I were once more able to go off cycle-touring, through Europe, across the Netherlands, France, Germany & Luxembourg, bookended with extensive travel throughout Australia. 

Coming home, my garden has been the most productive I’ve ever had. I’m unsure if it’s the magical electroculture gardening procedure that uses electricity in the ether to stimulate growth, or perhaps I’m a skilled gardener. Both propositions seem equally unlikely.

For these last 20 years, I have had a standing date with my good mate Andy every Sunday. We ride along the bicycle trails for coffee and toast at distant cafes where we stop to rest and put the world to rights for another week. In 2024 we had our work cut out for us with conflict, injustice, and war ever present. A series of challenging, military-economic, political, and environmental issues of increasing complexity often left us flummoxed. However, progress is being made, and while I’m no Pollyanna, I remain broadly optimistic that real change is possible, and it can’t come soon enough. As Confucius said “The ox is slow, but the earth is patient” I sure wish that ox would get a wriggle on.

The cycling gods are notoriously fickle, however if the stars align and there’s a corresponding outbreak of peace across the world, we are planning to cycle into other parts of this beautiful planet which are full of the follies of men and the wonders of nature, plants, and animals of all kinds, especially my favorite’s reptiles and birds.

My eldest Granddaughter starts school for the first time in 2025. She is at once both a little nervous and excited, confident too, that she will make the best of her future opportunities. I’m committed to working for a better future for everyone’s grandchildren in 2025 and beyond.

Happy Trails

Peace and Bike Grease for 2025