“Note: Unfortunately, Tom couldn't complete this journal since he died unexpectedly in his sleep on October 27, 2024. I (Mark) will clean it up without any intention of filling in any content that Tom was planning to go back and write.”

I’ve read a lot of cycle touring journals over the years, but the introduction to this one by Mark on behalf of Tom takes the prize for an attention grabbing opening sentence.

Not only is the journal a great read, but it’s a sobering reminder to make the most of every day. Tom was almost exactly my age when he exited in a very unexpected way for a fit cycle tourer. 

https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/110years/

Off topic but very relevant to the demographic on this site.

Make sure you have a valid will and it is up to date.

I met up recently with the widow of  a bloke that I worked with in South Africa sixty years ago.  We were both Chartered Accountants and when I came to Oz he went to Canada and became a Professor of Accounting.  Anyway  Nina his widow said that his will was not properly signed and he was deemed to be intestate and she is having a lot of trouble sorting out his affairs.

Good advice Mike. We don’t head off on a cycle-tour with the expectation that we won’t make it back home, but of course there is always a slight possibility that a medical condition, or an accident will take us out.

Having a legal Will filed, and its location shared with family, can sure save a lot of time and money being wasted. 

I’m not planning to exit for a few decades yet, but in case the inevitable occurs sooner than that plan, I’m already trying to minimise my possessions. So I won’t leave too much stuff for my family to deal with.

So far so good, except for my bikes and cycle touring paraphernalia. There’s much more of that I need to to sell or give away. For example, let me know if you need any 26” tyres. 

Thanks for the tyres offer Graham but the Thorn tandem doesn't get out much now and I still have a pair of Supremes in stock.

Mike