Genuinely unique incidents while cycle-touring must be by definition rare. One ofs. Most of us share similar cycle touring experiences.  I can only think of one incident which happened to me on tour that others wouldn’t have (thankfully) experienced. 

But that’s not what this post is about. It’s about something which happened yesterday and was posted by a friend on his CB journal. It’s an incident which I think must be unique. 

Rescuing a snake, then taking a selfie with aforementioned snake. This is different. Special. Unique. Only Ian Wallis would do this! 

https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/australasia2023/day-26-through-barkly-homestead-and-beyond/#46525_quk48c3d1afkk3rr1b4x1qri95q

I think you're right.  We've all experienced things that are pretty rare, but picking up such a snake for a selfie is truly unique.  I've been following Ian's tour mainly because I remember your description of how he dons a necktie at each border crossing.  I think that is also unique.  It was so unique that I carried a necktie with me for special occasions on my tour across Wisconsin last year--just to copy his uniqueness.  (I never ended up putting it on, though.)

The picture of his boots near the fire at the end of the post you linked reminded me of one time I made a campfire while backpacking.  I stretched out under the stars with my head propped up against my rolled up sleeping pad and fell asleep.  I'm not sure what woke me up, but it might have been the smoke emanating from the burning soles of my shoes.

Greg almost cooking the soles of one’s feet is a bit unusual for cycle touring. 

Your observation of boots is very relevant. Frugal Ian’s cycling shoes must also be one of a kind. They’ve covered about 20,000 km and they appear to be almost more open space than fabric. 

I thought rescuing the snake and taking the selfie was unusual, but he’s almost topped that with his next post.  Yesterday he spent a fair bit of time rescuing termites from vandals! No selfie this time though.

Rescuing anything gets my thumbs up.

About the only thing I can recall happening to me on a cycle tour that might be unique was getting locked in the bathroom and having to escape through the air vent (see here).

You win again!  I’ve always thought we had a great story when I locked Rachael into an outhouse in southwest France and had to free her by carving out the lock with my Swiss Army Knife, but I didn’t come away with a photo to prove it.  We were too focused on biking out of town before we got arrested for vandalism and didn’t think of it.

Marc only a few weeks ago my wife was briefly trapped by a faulty ensuite door lock in a Galway (Ireland) hotel. Fortunately I was there on the other side of the door. I couldn’t force the lock open, so I fetched  the maintenance manager who brought a special tool to unlatch it.

Such an experience would be scary and risky to a solo traveler. It’s not something I’d ever experienced before.  

That’s a great photo. 

Scott this begs the questions.
What had Rachael done to warrant being incarcerated in an outdoor toilet?
And what promises did she make for you to  release her on bail for good behaviour? 

Fortunately I wasn't alone.  Unfortunately the person with me was my wife who was on the "safe" side of the door laughing her head off (and taking photos).

Probably easiest to link to the original post.  No promises extracted, just a request to not make a habit of it.  Rachael’s a remarkably good sport.

Hi Scott.  Rachel losing a pannier on the way to Alcalá la Real in 2004 and your gallant attempt to recover it is more likely to be unique.  BTW, there was a little  ditty stuck in my head on this morning's ride.  I'm sure you know the tune.

Oh dear, what can the matter be.  Two old ladies locked in a lavatory.  They stayed there from Monday till Saturday. Nobody knew they were there.

  https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/three-old-ladies-stuck-in-the-lavatory.