Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind. 'Vanity of vanities', says the preacher in Ecclesiastes; 'all is vanity.'
A year as no other (as has been the case so far), so much that was going on was not as ever before. Indeed, quarantaine and stay-at-home was our self chosen situation and in this I bloomed.
Thinking back about Atacama reveals it was the best ride ever! Reason enough to share this post. I had this short write-up done as ‘The story behind the pouch (my creative embroidery projects)’, so you’ll see some creativity pass by. Don’t let that withhold you, its really about the good old cycling lifestyle. Fully emerged and a total ball of bliss! WOOOOOHAAAAAA….
You have subscribed to CyclingCindy because you are interested in cycling. Yet cycling is the least that I can offer you now, this is no story about cycling adventures you are going to read. Instead it is what I am able to do because I stopped cycling (although this is old news).
Over the years I transformed from a traveler going from city to city to one who’s avoiding them. Simply because cities are stressful, where nature is powerful. I guess age has to do with it as well?
When Geo and I were in South America we often ate bread which was not too memorable, not when it comes to quality. Soft, white, sugared dry bread is what South American countries often offer.
Want to add a bit of extra beauty to where ever your ride takes you? Or just when you are at home? My pouches and purses are made to add beauty to every day moments. That is why I started to create them. They are all made at camp spots, some marvelous, some less exciting but the pouches are always an enhancement to the senses. Click the photo to go to its relevant shop.
A rest did me well. The sort of rest where you have enough time to do what is needed to be done.
Is South America on your wish-list of countries to travel through, perhaps by bicycle, then I hope I can inspire you. When you like to see pretty, soothing or curious photo’s, here they are.
An overrated name for a bread but besides that, a very welcome change! When you have had enough fluffy bread, walnut sourdough, chapati’s, baguette and whole grain healthy staff of life, or when you need just that little bit of difference in your daily diet, and you have the luxury of an oven or something alike, try the Life Changing Bread.
From a bicycle to a truck. The ‘Cycling Cindy’ blog continues, the only difference is a bunch of extra wheels. For all who is interested in living a different lifestyle, and for those who want to be inspired or see the landscapes where the truck will come to a halt, stay tuned.
Finally I found time to give my creativity a proper outlet.
How to repair a zipper
Nothing as annoying when the zipper of your tent derails, leaving you with flapping doors. Nothing quite as disappointing when your expensive tent is prone to wearing out, just as any other brand.
Have you heard of the online magazine from Grace? It is a free magazine about cycling touring where she features people who are on the road, people with stories, tips and idea’s and beautiful photographs. A source of inspiration and a good read. I’m proud to announce that Grace featured me. Grace used a photo I made from one of the best cycling experiences I had.
Do you know that fur of a dead rabbit comes off as easily as plucking hairs from a hairdresser’s floor. Another thing to keep in mind is that when creating artwork after you have collected several different furs you better have enough for you might not find another dead animal with the same fur-coat. Something else interesting, the gland of a skunk is not always activated when the poor creature is caught by a car and so I can give it a haircut without having its stench flowing up my nostrils. Kneeling down a bloody body of a nutria is perhaps not every cyclists wish, I merrily cut some of his hairs.
Bread on a tiny stove
How to bake bread on a tiny stove. Practice had me bake the perfect bread. Follow these instructions and your camp experience will enhance. Read more…
Campsite recipes
Recipes for the road; easy cooking with common ingredients. Quick, healthy and delicious. Read more…
Embroidering is listening how the wind howls.
How to make a hobo stove
When stoves break down, often exactly when you really need them, it has you think: ‘This is not the time for you to break down’.Â
Besides cycling, cooking a decent meal and making plenty of selfies, I have one other activity: creating art.
Always being bitten by mosquito’s and awake for hours while trying to sleep, itching myself until bleeding and ever so often on the search for any kind of repellent.
Each country cycled through; one best photograph
On this tour I wanted to stay close to the Netherlands. I cycled from the Netherlands to Istanbul and back. I did so between May and November 2015. Here we go:
A pity that in the beginning of the trip I focused more on cycling than on making photo’s. Making a good photo takes time: you need to get off the bicycle most of the time, you need to take quite a few to have the exact right frame setting -although often the first picture is the best-.
In my opinion food is an essential part of life, whether I am on a bicycle or not. Being a cyclist doesn’t mean that food has to be gobbled down, nor that it must be a fleeting, simple meal just to fill the tummy. I will not rapidly exchange extra kilometers for a quick meal. On the contrary: I will stop earlier to cook more elaborate. Yet, most recipes are easy.
Cycling Cindy