The dream

2 wheel dreaming is both a state of mind, and a vision, drawn from the inspiration, complexity and spirit of Aboriginal dreamtime, with a deep and abiding respect for the worlds oldest living culture. Next to the discovery of Fire, invention of the wheel remains one of the most empowering and connecting activities we've done as a species. Conversely, our discovery of the utility of carbon fuels may be one of our more destructive innovations, though it seemed like a good idea at the time.

In terms of relative importance, I rate wheels^x(n) on the following scale of usefulness/utility:

1 Wheel: Useful for wheelbarrows, tricky furniture removals and crazy unicyclists

2 wheels: Optimal- minimal space needs, can be powered (motorcycles) or unpowered (bicycles in all variants), and great for getting you places whilst remaining connected with the elements around us. My favourite form of transport whilst my knees and throttle wrist remain functional.

3 wheels: Silly, bordering on downright dangerous. Just ask anyone who's flipped a trike beyond its balance point.

4 wheels: Many people would call this optimal, but to me it's the start of cage living, where we disconnect ourselves from our surrounding elements (unless you drive an open top convertible or have a broken windscreen) and start to take up more space than we really, truthfully need. Starts to become an extension of taking our home comforts with us, and blurs our reliance on carbon. But really useful for hauling things around when two wheels can't suffice..and (if you also drive a Kombi) taking a place to sleep or dream with you, comfortably.

>4 wheels: Only for bulk haulage, and terrorising those on 2 wheels.

In Bruce Chatwins book, The Songlines, I first learnt of the importance of connection to country by Songlines, where spiritual connection to country is reaffirmed and strengthened, bringing humankind and country together by singing the mythology of country as we move through it, recognising all creation within it. It's a thought that has resonated with me as I've moved through country on 2 wheels, getting a sense of connectedness at a different pace to Chatwins lead character. His character's singing to country has to occur at enormous speed as he moves around by Landcruiser, his lips moving quickly as he sings his country into being, simulatenously creating, recognising and reaffirming his place within it.

Whilst the novel has had it's critics, it has it's inspirational moments, and this is the one that has endured for me. Moving through country at the pace we do on a bicycle, seems like an appropriate speed to live by in these times of greed for speed, and reckless disregard for country. My inspiration from this is to spread the good word about the place and potential for 2wheels in our own lives, and to evangelise a state of being and a future beyond our reliance on crude oil.