Tim and Cindie Travis have made quite a name for themselves in America for managing to make money whilst cycling round the world.

I met them, purely by chance, on a hot and dusty road in Peru. I was riding north, they had their noses pointed south.

Tim and Cindie are still riding, and they have kindly agreed to write a few words for this blog about the delights of bicycle travel.

Bicycle touring is magical; anyone who has ventured off on two wheels has felt it. Few activities combine the benefits of exercise with the excitement of travel and personal growth. These special feelings are as individual as the people riding their silent machines on the back roads of the globe. A common denominator has to be the feeling of freedom; where life is boiled down to its simplest of terms. Only a few possessions can be carried so there is less to worry about. A steaming plate of spaghetti by a campfire is more enjoyable than an expensive night out on the town. Spring cleaning is riding in the rain. Keeping up with fashion is remembering to put on a different shirt every day. On a bike tour stress melts away and life is beautiful.

I have absolutely loved the simplicity and freedom of my own tours. My only complaint was not flat tires or rain but instead every tour ended and I had to return to normal life. At first I went through withdrawals but eventually a monotonous daily routine was reestablished and another journey entered the planning stages. Working and saving money, even if it took many years, was just an intermission to my episodes of really living life. It was like listening to a radio station that ran 95% commercials while the remaining 5% played my favorite song. I have experienced these highs and lows far too many times but felt powerless to do anything about it. Many years would pass before I discovered a way to endlessly ride my bike throughout the world.

You can read the whole of this article here and follow Tim and Cindie’s journey here.