I've been in a bit of a funk throughout 2025 as I knew I wouldn't be touring; the timing of a bit of medical nonsense I had to deal with, along with a boatload of depression due to the country sliding into fascism; this combination had my spirit down to an all-time low.  I did very little riding in 2025 and gained a lot of weight - my fitness level is the lowest it's ever been in my life. As luck would have it, fellow Cycleblazer Mark Bingham and his wife Heather (Photo from 1 of Mark's journals) were in town for the holidays and we met for breakfast. 

We had a great meetup, and Mark offered to take on a role as coach to get me back into cycling shape and encourage me to go on tour this year.  I know what to do and how to train to get myself physically prepped to go, but what I really needed is a friendly push to encourage me and keep me motivated; hence, I have dubbed Mark as my Bicycle Spiritual Advisor (BSA).  BSA Mark has said that he intends to mercilessly keep me focused on the task (actually he said that he intends to ride me like a rented donkey, or something to that effect). 

Some of you may recall that I found and collected a lot of tools alongside the road on my 2021 Northern Tier journey.  I didn't really need the tools, finding lost tools was just a game I played.  On my second ride of this new 2026 year, in an isolated section of road away from any homes or buildings, I spied a small drill bit on the shoulder and stopped to retrieve it.  Then I spotted another a bit farther ahead on the shoulder.  The grass beside the road has died away and is brown and thin where only a couple of months ago it was lush and green and tall.  Because of this, I was able to spy a wrench off in the grass a few feet.  Then as I commenced cycling again, I kept a keen eye towards the dried grass near the road and I spotted several more tools.  And then a bit later, as I resumed riding, I spotted something laying on the shoulder on the opposite side of the road and crossed over to discover a socket.  And then, just like before, I spotted another out in the dried grass, and then several others as I rolled along.  Strange; these tools were found in 2 different general locations, and only visible because the dried/dead grass had faded away enough to make them visible.

I don't really need the tools, I probably have several copies of each of these already; but I'll eventually use them or give them to my son or son-in-law (they don't really need them either, but hey - everybody always needs more tools, right?).   But it's the significance of the omen that matters; I'm convinced that the cycling gods are telling me that this will be a good cycling year for me; there can be no other reasonable interpretation!   Ok then, I better sign off and get ready for a ride tomorrow so that BSA Mark remains convinced I'm training.  Best of luck to all, I hope you all receive omens that portend a great cycling year ahead!  Peace out (I'm fascinated by the Buddhist Monk's peace walk and especially enamored with Alako the Peace Dog, so I'm signing posts with "Peace out" for now). 

Finding the right motivation, not to mention the right motivator, is so important. Glad you found Mark B. The realization that several of our niggling health issues disappear within a few days of starting tours in Europe, or here in Yucatan, has us realizing how important the combination of daily physical activity and food quality has on our overall health. For the rest of this year we hope to maintain a touring mindset, even when not on tour, and focus on daily cycling and a diet that minimizes processed foods. Not an omen exactly, more an epiphany, which happened on Epiphany.

A slight segue Buddy. Still an omen to jump on a bike and go for a tour.

BSA to me means type of folding bike used by British paratroopers in WWII. 

The Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) was a massive British manufacturer that started with firearms, moved into bicycles, and then became the world's largest motorcycle producer. 

My friend and bike mechanic has one of these bikes, and I saw one in Malaysia 12 years ago.

You beat me to it Graham!

Those tools look in good shape!

A wee echo to Graham and Mike -- You get a Gold Star for all that, Buddy! 😉

Finding 17 tools on the roadside seems like a good omen, but it's also a sign that your bicycle route has heavy traffic.

I'm glad you're feeling better and more motivated. Peace out.

Yup, that's a great omen.  You're totally going to rock it on the bike in 2026!  Looking forward to seeing some journals!

A 24" BSA was the bike of dreams for kids in South Africa in the sixties.

In the nineteen fifties 26 inch Raleigh Sport was a desirable ride in Mtata.