I found Iohan’s bike touring videos during the Cycle Touring Festival #CTF2021. I was blown out by the pace, feel and panoramic vistas in his videos. The ruggedness of his trips stood out. Iohan kept going on in conditions where I would have quit much earlier on, easily. So I watched in awe the understated perseverance and steady story-telling in the videos.

This is also the first time I have come across pack-rafting. So amazed that he took it up, riding a inflatable canoe across water bodies, when his bike was not available and needed repairs.

I was waiting for his next series of videos. So, naturally, I am stunned that he has died.

And I wondered if he died by COVID.

But no.

Suicide.

What?! a crazy happening!

When I was having a hard time with this long break in travel imposed forcefully on us, I have spent many a afternoons simply watching his videos. And cooking up plans to go on wilder cycle touring trips. And then of course, coming back to reality, and a locked down city – the dreadful second wave of India.

His videos really got me through some indoor-locked-down moments. But little did I know that the maker was fighting a hard battle! And after surviving all these hard adventures, wouldn’t survive the lockdown.

Dear Iohan, hope you passed off well and hope you find yourself in better times in future. 🙏🏼

The most memorable of his videos for me will be the Patagonia Express one. I think that’s also the first one I watched.

And special mention for the time he started Pack-rafting..that was crazy. I didn’t know that was even a thing 😀

And…

Please invest in tools of emotional, mental well-being. Yoga can be a great one. But it is always an ongoing effort. Let’s never take our inner well-being for granted.

Om Namah Shivaya 🕉️