One of the bike tourers I follow on Twitter had an encounter with machete wielding thugs in Dakar a few days ago (which has put a stop to his tour for a little while - you can read about that here. http://www.thebigafricacycle.com/general-posts/1550 )

Anyway, one of his commenters just posted a great quote which has lifted my spirits today. Just thought I'd share:

“You know that dream you carry around with you each day? It’s kinda important. Wasn’t it what you were put on planet Earth to do? They say everyone has a calling, can you still hear it? Doesn’t it eat away at you? That treadmill you are on, did it ever get too much? Did you ever feel time was passing you by? Just how many days have you left before your last? Did you ever wonder about stuff like that? Did you ask yourself ‘what was stopping you?’There is never a right time. You will be too old. Too young. Too something or other. When was the last time you took a risk? Did you remember how alive it made you feel? There are no guarantees of success. It’s not called a leap of faith for nothing. It’s not too late, honest. Jump. You may fall. You may Fly.”

- David Hieatt, co-founder of Howies (makers of clothes for cycling and other stuff

I intend to fly.

If you're on Twitter, send Pete (the machete dude) some love.
http://twitter.com/petegost