Bicycle as social lubricant
I love stories like this about a man cycling around Cambodia making friends as he goes. I can confirm this effect through my own, much less adventurous, travels.
When you are on a bike you are moving closer to the same speed as those around you and people from all walks of life are more likely to just spontaneously start communicating with you … or at least be open to you initiating contact.
I’ve found more about Tim Durrin’s particular story at http://khmerization.blogspot.com/2010/12/american-war-vet-to-cycle-for-six.html