I am an outgoing and easygoing chap. I am handy around bikes and the like, enjoy learning new languages dialects words and about local culture, like to try new booze and enthuse about old wine, can cook and am happy to share (meat is tasty but am happy to veg out). I like to chat and associate, but not offended when quiet is preferred. Keep me warm and I will keep you entertained. Oh, and I enjoy a 4.20, but is not obligatory.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Spending a couple years travelling and working my way to China. Decided to do the overland silk road because I have always wanted to visit Samarqand, and I enjoy cycling so why not try it by bike? Been ploughing through Europe, and should be in Turkey soon. Then on through Georgia and the Caucasian mountains to Baku, a boat across to Turkmenistan and then through Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Xinjiang. If you stay in any of these places would be nice to have a friendly place in from the cold :)

Interests

• learning languages
• bike riding
• local food
• local history

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: boards of Canada, most metal (usually just while cycling), crazy gypsy balkan stuff, britpop. And an eclectic mix of other suff like the Beastie Boys.
Film: Hero, Danny Boyle's stuff (Trainspotting describes my hometown when I was 3) , Lebowsky, Tarantino, Fight Club, Twelve Monkeys, Joderovsky's The Holy Mountain, The Tree of Life, Waking Life, Scanner Darkly, Liberterias... bunch of stuff plus Harold and Kumar Go to Whitecastle cos we've all been there right?
Books: BIG (or wee) Tolkien fan, Michel Houellebecq, Peter F Hamilton, Edward W Robertson, Orwell, Hemmingway, HG Wells, Shelly, HP Lovecraft, Robert E Howard... plus a load for academics: Tim Ingold, Chomsky, Simmel, Robert Nisbet, de Toqueville, Emma Goldberg, Rosa Luxembourg, Malatesta, Koprotkin etc

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

That bike on my picture, I specified and assembled it myself.
Oh and I once did three parties in three cities in three days, that one time...
Almost cycled Edinburgh to Constantinople/Istanbul - just another week to go!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can help you practice English (while pretending to be Scots!), fix a bike, pair wine and food, dance Traditional Scottish Highland Dance, Rock climb and belay safely.
I wanna learn how people in your area see themselves each other and the world. And maybe pick up some handy phrases.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can fix up any bikes you need doing, I am happy to cook and share fine wines and all I have. And any chores, I don't overly mind (I clean a mean toilet... when not in my own home!). Need errands run? Me and my bike ought speed things along :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Macedonia, Netherlands, Romania, Russian Federation, Scotland, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Scotland