There have been a lot of people that have helped me along the way, from before the trip even started, to riding the road, and up to present day. This is the first of what I’m sure will be many posts on the who’s who of fine individuals and groups that’ve given me a hand up as I continue this trip, and if I have forgotten anyone, I’ll catch you on the next one.

Firstly, my parents. Keith, Wayne and Linda, for those of you who are on more of a first name basis than the traditional Mom and Dad titles. These fine people have helped me get to where I am now, starting with teaching me how to ride a bike and raising me through the years to be ready for an adventure. They’ve had my back when things weren’t well and were at my side when things were. Thanks firstly to you, you’ve played the biggest part of all.

Next, friends and family. A lot of you I’ve known my whole life, and some I’ve only met recently, or within the last few years, everyone of you has lifted me up when I’ve needed it in the form of a high five, solid words of wisdom or even just a couch to sleep on with a bedtime snack.

To the people I’ve met along the way so far, and on my previous trips across Canada, your generosity cannot be over looked. I’ve been helped out by the Battersby’s down in Ho Chi Minh(Saigon), who I met through another friend by chance encounter, Naomi, who refers to this level of hospitality as being adopted so I will follow suit. Adopting me over a weekend meant taking me and my touring bike in and giving us both a place to park and sleep, as well as showing me around town, making sure I had laundry done, family breakfast, lunch and supper, plus all the Elton John and Queen a person could ask for. Christmas supper (early) and a Sunday service were among the many hi lights that weekend, but their willingness to take me in and treat me like family stuck out as the pinnacle by a long shot. Thank you very much, Sarah and Ian.

When I roll into bike shops with my disaster of neat and tidy organization, I’m often asked where I’m going and what I’m doing this for. When I say the what, where, who, when, and why; the cycling community has my back. In Saigon, I was gifted a handlebar bag by the good folks at  Indochina Bike Shop without having asked for anything but a few spokes. When I told him about cutting up a pair of Calvin Klein pants to make extra cargo room, he laughed and dug out a used carrier for me and gave my hand a good shaking. Kim Choung of Osaka Bike shop in Siem Reap and I talked for a couple hours before I actually made it into town, he owns the Specialized dealership as you come in on the main drag. A very cool guy, he extended his New Years plans to join him before handing over quite a few free spokes, as I seem to be blowing them cheap ones out fairly quickly.

I stopped in at the Bike Eye View shop in Bangkok, and after trying several places to find a fixing bolt, Chaygrid ended up having a spare to hand over free of charge. He waved me in off the street after I walked right past his shop, and was looking around and at my phone.

Khiem,  owns Nha Nghi Hoang Son, in Ninh Hoa, Vietnam, and after checking in and talking a little while, he offered to extend a donation in the form of a free night and half off my second one. The second new friend to offer hospitality, his hotel was a cyclists dream, huge clean rooms on the ground floor with an endless hot shower and a giant wash tub to do all your gross riding gear in. Thanks again Khiem, stay cool.

Last, but not least, Shelby Howard, of Shelby Howard Pottery Company. She has been a steady supporter of this ride, partnering me up with Scotiabank,  as well as grinding at the wheel to spin up original designs to donate proceeds towards the cause.  Not only has she been a huge supporter, but also a terrific friend to my family and I.

You are amazing.