Sometimes flat tires bring good luck. In our case, that good luck came in the form of Teresa, a warm hearted and helpful woman in cargo shorts with a bike chain tattoo on her calf. Just short of Napier, after a long day’s ride, Allegra’s rear tire failed completely. Not a punctured tube, which happens often enough. A fatally blown out tire with the metal bead partially dislodged.

We must have looked pathetic this afternoon, sitting under a tree outside of town, hot, tired and wondering what to do, because Teresa pulled up in her little white pickup truck and immediately jumped into action. She made some calls, loaded Allegra’s bike into the truck, zipped off to the bike shop for a new tire and then dropped both Allegra and her bike at our hotel. Simple human kindness. No fanfare and no ulterior motive. When we said goodbye and thanked her once again for her generosity, she simply asked that we pay it forward. I can’t think of a better sentiment with which to usher in the new year.

Earlier in the day, approaching Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, we rode through some of the most wide open landscapes we’ve ever seen. Vast sky, unobstructed horizon and many miles of road inspired lots of thoughts, ranging from: (a) the essential characteristics of a satisfying and fulfilling career, to (b) a trans-African bike tour from Alexandria to Cape Town, to (c) dang a Ruben sandwich with a pickle would taste amazing right now. The Ruben never materialized, but in bustling Bredasdorp we did find a great fish and chips joint, packed with locals. As advertised, it was just caught, and doused with salt and vinegar it was delicious.

After cleaning up and eating a delicious dinner (which incidentally included a Greek salad sans pineapple), we were treated to a gorgeous sunset. A fitting end to the year.