Several years ago our friend, and inventor, Ed Rios made a prototype drag parachute for tandem use. His stoker, Jane, wisely refused to participate in the test, and of course we volunteered. Stoker Claire wore and deployed the chute which, after a bit of a jerk on deployment, worked to bring our speed to reasonable levels on a descent of Mt. Lemmon just outside of Tucson, Arizona. We loved it! It would need to be bigger for touring less smooth roads, but for day rides, perfect. Ed, how about making it double as a tent fly/tarp?

Australia 2016 As soon as we left the airplane in Alice (August 4, our 26th anniversary) Claire asked, “Do you know which way is north?” It was mid-day, and I pointed at the sun. Yup. So far we haven’t felt …