Johnny Isaak | Adventure Cyclist
A compendium of adventure cycling chronicles, travel lore, tips, techniques, and tactics for the adventure cycling perplexed.
With the autumn closing in, the evening temperatures dropped quickly. The first pockets of crisp night air bit at our noses as we made our way along the banks of the Katsura River.
The landscape grew a deep gold. Looking back over my left shoulder, I caught a glimpse of the sun’s light fading. There’s a certain feeling I get when I look to the west while the sun is setting.
The day grew long as we chased long shadows through fading rays of warm light. As day gradually became dusk, we pedaled through the twilight working our way westward along the old Silk Road.
The wind calmed as the sun sank below the horizon. The earth grew still. The only sound was the hum of my wheels.
Motionless water was smooth as glass. This lonesome lake seemed out of place in this desert land.
[Read more…] about Travelogue: Approaching Twilight on the Silk Road
Tracing routes on Ancient Tea Horse Road southward to Xishuangbanna, we continued to transit through the incredibly diverse Yunnan landscape, some of the best China has to offer.
Across the bridge on our way to Jinghong, I was able to glimpse the last vestiges of light marking the conclusion of a wonderful day. Mid bridge, I stopped to take a picture. Straddling my bicycle on the empty span, I made this image capturing the final rays of sunlight fading to gray.
Breaking snow on an early winter morning. Pedaling in near silence. Not a sound save for my panting breath and the snow crunching under my wheels. Still air. Not a single leaf rustling or a snowflake falling. Not another soul to be found. I have the ride to myself. The emptiness, the silence moves me as I pedal on. Times like these are special. They’re moments for adventure, small opportunities while living life in the normal world.
The sun is setting on the shrimp ponds of Xiapu, Fujian. Local farmers have called it a day and retired for the evening. The water is still, the landscape quiet. Miles of riding remains before sleep will come tonight.
Riding into the night has a magic all its own. Catching the final rays as the light fades to gray and then to dark gives one pause for a bit of thought and reflection.
