Boldly Go Solo

Recently I was contacted by a guy from a bike shop in England who wanted to interview me about solo travel. I'm telling you this not because you have to buy a bike from him (but you should!)

And not because I feel a little like a celebrity (but I do!)

I'm mentioning it because Dave asked questions that were fun for me to answer. And the answers summarize why I started this blog in the first place.

Let's call it a refresher course on the reasons for traveling solo.

I asked him about his shop, which has this great address: Unit 3, Canalside, Tattenhall, Chester, Cheshire. (I've been to Chester and I seem to recall it has loads of Tudor homes, am I right, Dave?)

He told me that his staff is full of experienced cyclists and biking enthusiasts, some of whom have won competitions. They are committed to bringing cycling to all walks
of life and, in particular, they support and encourage women and youth in
cycling.

It sounds like they do good work.

So if you're a solo traveler headed in the vicinity of Chester, consider stopping in and introducing yourself. Tell Dave why you're looking for him. Invite him out for a cuppa at the local tea shop. (Dave are there tea shops anymore or are they all Starbucks now??)

In my mind, this is how solo travel is done.You find a reason, no matter how flimsy, to chat with locals. And Dave now knows you're visiting. Cause I told him so.

I have not met Dave. I have not even spoken with Dave. But I would visit his shop in a heartbeat if I were traveling solo and looking for company for a little while. Me? Well, I'd visit Dave now whether I were traveling alone or with others. We've connected.

Solo travel is all about connections. Adventure. Meeting people in unexpected ways. Doing goofy things. Making strangers become friends for a time.

Dave, let me know if anyone stopped in because I said so.

(Oh, and by the way, Dave did ask anything from me in exchange for blogging about Boldly Go Solo. Not a plug. Not a post like this one from me. Nothing. I just got inspired by our exchange over several days.)

Photo: Ellen Perlman. I was in Hawaii with my friend Lindsay (from England) and after biking down Haleakala, a volcano on Maui, the guide took everyone's photo. I'm the taller one. At least in the photo. Looking at that picture, I can't for the life of me remember what I was standing on or how I was able to balance, but that guide/photographer was stellar at getting families of five all balanced on one bike for a photo.