I travel solo a lot. But generally, on longer travels I am single. I love solo travel, especially as a woman for the openness it brings, and the people you meet. Being single, I felt, helped me be more in the moment and not wanting to be where I was not. I planned a solo bike trip of the Americas after touring Morrocco and Europe on the back with an ex boyfriend. He wasn't the one for me, but left me with a legacy for riding to explore. And so I planned and worked for this trip which I am now semi into (having ridden to Prue bay and back).

And your question on men. As I was 5 months from leaving I met a man- whom now I have fallen pretty deeply for. We both ride, but he cannot get away to join me on the trip. He has 2 huge beautiful dogs, has a mortgage, is halfway through a PHD and is busy with work. I cannot expect that he comes when I have worked my life around being transient, having no ties and being free. But here is the dilemma. Now I sit in his house, having postponed my trip south too many times, as I know 8 months away is a huge ask on a reasonably new relationship....and one I hope may last forever...

He is wonderful and encourages me to go- but to come back. We plan to meet for a week every few months along the trip, so I know that I will see him. But. At this point the only place I want to be is here with him. So I am.

Maybe for the best, my visa for the US runs out by the end of the month. so I am pushed to leave for now. I know I adore solo travel and the trip will be amazing. I know that while I would like to travel with him- the experience of being a girl on the road alone opens up so many more cultural experiences, so many more people are open to you , and you often get taken in by the women and get to see the lives they live. And on the road solo, I feel in my element. So I feel an amazing adventure coming up. But, I can't help but stall for now. I will go- as I must. But it is not without butterflies in my stomach.