It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a proper motorcycle trip, and even longer since I’ve gone it alone. The last trip I took was just before we left Canada when I was pregnant with my now 11-year-old son. And I haven’t gone alone since Ivo came to join me in Canada. So, it’s time to go and just ride, with no particular destination in mind, although this time, for the first time ever, I’ve planned the route and stops and programmed them all into my GPS.

Beyond just the need to travel and ride, I do have another purpose for this trip: contemplation. For me, motorcycling can help me to clarify my thinking. And what I’m contemplating is what to do with my life from here out. Since I moved to the Netherlands, my career has not been what I wanted, and it’s left me in a very difficult position when it comes to moving forward. But, given that, what can I do now? I know what I want, what I need to do, which is to contribute to changing the way we live to slow down and adapt to climate change. I also know what I bring: analytical, research, teaching and writing skills. But how can I actually get the chance to do something meaningful? I need time to think about it, something that’s hard to find in a busy family life.

But for now, on the road!