PERSEVERANCE

RE-ROUTING

Today is overcast, it’s supposed to rain, and I’m having a problem shifting gears. After picking up groceries, I find a bike shop. A very nice repairman makes an adjustment and I’m good to go. He speaks German and asks about the route I’m taking. My original plan was to take the Pohorje Transvaal Trail, a single track through the woods, but with wet weather I think that is not such a good idea. Instead, I’ll take the D2, which is a well marked route that goes along the Drava river.

The repairman recommends I turn left in the town of Luce to avoid a serious mountain climb on the D2. So I do. I end up turning off the paved road onto a dirt road that goes up and up and up (this is avoiding a climb - yikes!) past some small farms. There is a sign with a bird that translates roughly to ‘International Memorial Trail of the Alliance of Crows Years’. I also see a downed sign with the Camino Pilgrim scallop shell symbol which brings back memories of my first long distance hike across Spain on the Camino Trail! The Pilgrim route actually stretches throughout Europe, but is not always as well marked as the most famous part of the route in Spain.

RAIN

As I am pushing my bike up the next mountain on a logging road, it starts to rain. And… I am already wet inside my rain jacket from sweating on the long slog up. Ugh!

I can’t race down the other side of the mountain with free abandon as the road is muddy and the rain is pelting my face. I come off the dirt road and out of the woods. At a paved intersection, I turn right instead of left as the road goes downhill and looks more inviting.

After a bit I realize I should check where I am. I’m way off my intended route. There is a farmhouse next to the road, so I knock on the door and ask the owner if there is a hostel close by. To my huge relief, as it’s now late in the afternoon, I don’t have to turn around and can continue down the mountain to the next town where I am to take a left towards Radlje ob Dravi and a hostel. There is hope!

KEEP GOING

At Podvelka, I turn left and see it’s still 13 kilometers to get to Radlje ob Dravi. My hope turns to dismay as the wet is now cold, and my toes (sandals) and fingers are getting numb. While this road above the Drava River is charming, it is also full of up and downs. I have to stop and eat as I’m getting exhausted. On the next uphill, I hear a clunk and feel a drag. I pull over and see that the bolts holding my rear bike rack in place have loosened up and worked themselves right out of their sockets. The rack now swings freely to the ground. Being the resourceful farmer that I am, I find two straps to tie the rack to the seat post and pedal on.

The up and down road feels like it is going on forever, but at last I cross over the Drava River. I am almost to my destination when I hear another clunk and feel a wobble. This time a side bolt has worked its way out of the rear bike rack and disappeared. All I can do now is avoid bumps and not go too fast. It feels like everything is falling apart, me included. All I can do is stay focused on getting to my destination.

When I do get to Hostel Radlje ob Dravi, it’s closed! There are two after hours phone numbers. The first one… no answer. The second one… is the manager and he says he’ll be right over. Even though I leave a puddle at the registration desk, the manager is super helpful when I ask about a bike repair place. He makes a phone call and says they will pick me and my bike up in the morning. I feel so lucky!

I feel even luckier after a hot shower and dinner of a local Kefir with Human Optimization’s Energy Essentials & Superfoods, and Energensis Powders mixed in. Even though these powders weigh over a pound, they are worth carrying as they restore me.

I wake up the next day feeling really strong physically and mentally.

Life is good, and I am ready for the Panoramic Route!