The one thing I love about traveling is not having a vehicle – it’s the idea of being self propelled that makes me smile. That infectious grin only spreads when I manage to acquire a bicycle. I’m transformed into a little kid again, whipping down the street as fast as I can go – streamers flapping, peddles flying.

I took this photo during one of those trips. In Paris with my camera and folding bicycle, I decided to visit some old friends in the town of Mijdrecht. I made the trip on a Friday afternoon and we spent the weekend catching up, singing funny songs, and laughing in a mixture of languages.

When Monday morning came, I woke early, unfolded my bicycle, and strapped my satchel to the back and camera bag to the bars. It was dark with no cell reception but I had a vague idea which way to head to reach Amsterdam.

I peddled the first half in darkness, passing under street lamps as I made my way to the edge of town, then out along the path into the country side. It was cold but calm. Almost no wind and little sound except for the birds and the whir of my bicycle.

It was just before I reached the city when the sun came up.  Pretty impressive to see… vast flatland slapped in orange and purple hues and not another person in sight. When I reached Amsterdam I stopped and took the photo below – this is the first glimpse I had of the city as I entered the streets at dawn.