Touring - Around the world cyclist

This morning I saw a cyclist aproaching, rare here but this guy had racks + bags evrywhere. I stoped him and asked him where he was going, he said Las Angelos Ca. Coming from NEPAL!! Riding around the world, raising awareness of political opression. I gave him a several bottles of gatoraid, and energy bars to take with him. Also my wife had packed several care packages for soldiers in iraq, and 1 came back. We gave it to him, instant soups, toothbrushes + paste, soap, deodorant, etc. He used our computer to post on his website. www.pushkarshah.com You have to check out his site!! Allabout his travels, he had a bike stolen in new zeland, Sir Edmund Hillary bought him a new one + all equipment. He left nepal in 1998, plans on returning in 2009. Then he plans on climbing everest. I met an amazing person today.

Now that' something! And MAJOR Thumbs Up to you & your Mrs. for helpin' gear him up with goods too!!

He is indeed an amazing person. What a trip! I would love to hear this guy speak.

It's always so inspiring to see things like this, especially whilst one is fretting about her own tour.

I have to pass on a few comments about generousity offered to me here in Ft Lauderdale Fl., and I hope its offered to other cyclists passing thru
I started planning a trip to Europe only about 6 weeks ago after meeting a friend here who has traveled extensively for the last 20 years.
Another friend gave me a bike which he had bought but rode once and then stored in his garage, 2 tubes and its a perfect ride.
I ordered a new Trek and when It arrived another bud gave me his old panniers, a bit worn but totally serviceable
So I loaded the four panniers with what I thought I would need for several months in Europe, and then started doing practice rides to get some feel for traffic, cars and the bike handling
When ever I stopped to get a breath or a drink of water I was asked where I had come from and where I was going. Had to confess I was a local just getting practice but was heading out to Europe mid summer
We have a lot of Euros who vacation here in So Florida and they were without question the most curious and informative, and a bottomless source of info which helped to strengthen my resolve about my first bike trip to Europe.
In 4 weeks I was given about 3 dozen addresses and phone numbers and told to call any time I was in the area and to please visit, share a drink or a meal and several overnite stays were offered as well
I usually stop a a nice coffee shop on the beach here , called St Barts, and have yet to have to pay for my coffee. someone begins a conversation as soon as I park my bike against a palm tree and remove the helmet.
Always I hear the lament, 'you are doing what I wish I had done a long time ago', best of luck and look up my friends in X or Y place and am given numbers and addresses.
It appears to me that the sight of a laden bike brings out the hidden desires of many folks. Almost all I have encountered these last weeks wish me well, and say, "when you return stop by and let us know the great times you had'
One morning I had ridden off without my wallet, stopped to order breakfast and when I reached for it to pay then realized it wasn't in my pocket, the waitress said,"just pay the next time you are in the area'.
I certainly envy the gentleman from Nepal in his trek around the world. I'm not sure my wanderlust and desires are that extensive but I'll find out this summer
Last summer I spent 4 months with a truk and trailer from Florida to Vancouver Island and return. I saw a number of bikers on the road and if I had an opportunity to stop and talk with them, with out fail each was totally at ease on the road with much less than I was dragging all over the country, and I have to confess that even then I was a bit envious of their accomplishments, and had no idea that my world was about to be changed, wish I had done it a long time ago.