My cycling partner (not Rowan) and I got separated on one particular day on our tour through Australia in 2004. By that point in the tour things weren't going too well for us, and he would often ride off and leave me out there but he would usually wait up the road a ways. So we'd often end up riding solo for an hour or two, then together for half an hour or so before he took off again, etc.

But we had an agreement ... if we arrived in a town solo, we would head straight for the nearest Tourist Information Centre and wait there for each other, or at the very least, we would leave a message for the other person there. Most Australian towns have a Tourist Information Centre, they are usually easy to find, and they are good for all sorts of information and help.

This particular morning in Queensland in December was hot, and I was dragging a bit early on, so he disappeared in the distance. Quite some time later, I was about ready for a break and snack, and I spotted a large fruit stand on the side of the road. Perfect! I figured he'd be there waiting for me ... the timing was about right. But no, he wasn't there. I bought fruit and was treated to a couple ice creams by a sympathetic customer who thought it was too hot for anyone to be riding out there. After I'd rested a bit, I kept going. Hours passed, I stopped a few more times to get something cold to drink, to eat, etc., and in the early evening, I arrived in the destination town. I headed straight for the Tourist Information Centre (located on the edge of town) as agreed ... but he wasn't there and there was no message. I wasn't sure what to do, so I waited, and waited, and waited there ... after all, that's what we had agreed.

Just as darkness was falling, he came cycling into the parking from somewhere in town. Evidently he had gotten into a zone, and had cycled quite briskly all the way to the destination town without stopping anywhere. When he arrived, he was hot, tired, hungry, and thirsty so instead of going to the Tourist Information Centre and at least leaving a message, he headed all the way into town to find a place to eat and drink. Somehow he thought I would do the same thing, and that I would know where he had gone, so he just stayed at the place and waited there ... until finally, as darkness was falling, he figured he'd better go and look for me.

We were separated all day ... rode solo all day ... but at least we found each other by nightfall.