In regards to the cycler idea, he has even acted as a "customer" to a Purdue University team doing a mars feasibility study. They've recently released their report, in which they detail how a cycler might work in comparison to the original SpaceX ITS proposal.
https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAECourses/aae450/2017/spring...
Buzz Aldrin with the team:
https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAECourses/aae450/2017/spring...