Did I arrive? Where did I intend to go?
After cycling 5’052 kilometres to the south of Turkey I find myself in a sudden moment of calmness. I can’t help but wonder if I arrived at my destination. But I have never had one. If there is no destination how do you know, when it is enough. When to keep going and when to stop and change.
Is it time to ditch the bike or should I keep on suffering on two wheels?
Will I keep on eating banana and peanut butter with unwashed oily hands? Do I want to keep on taking breaks on the side of the road covered in dust, asking myself why I need to cross another mountain? Am I ready to give up the freedom of reaching anywhere I go by pedalling with my own legs? No more wild camping?
“Bikepackers tend to have the brain of goldfishes when it comes to suffering.” A sentence I read in a Bikepacking-Magazine (yes such a thing exists!) in a Guesthouse in Negotin, Serbia. The sentence sticked, unfortunately I can’t recall the Author. But he was right!
While I am in the middle of a mission, cycling uphill in the dark not knowing where to set up the tent, or when I cycle on a busy road and a heavy truck passes barely 20cm next to me, in a tunnel with poor light, I am telling myself: “Never again! Who’s stupid idea was this?”
But the same day, sometimes only moments after I survived the drama, I am the happiest person on this planet, at least that’s what it feel like. And I believe it was the best idea of my life to go on such an expedition. “Did I ever say the contrary?”
Goldfish brain.
For the first time on this trip I am having a break that lasts longer than three nights. Since one week and one day I haven’t cycled nor touched my bike.
It feels great. I feel like a real person again. I have showers, eat cooked food, sleep in, write, swim, there are so many things you can do in one day, when you don’t cycle hundreds of kilometres until exhaustion.
I am surprised how fast a day can pass by when you let it. Suddenly I know where I will sleep that night, suddenly I am safe, and suddenly I have to make an effort to “do things”.
The shortest walks are giving me muscle ache and I realize, that in the past 5 months I didn’t do any walking further than in and out a supermarket.
I enjoy the break I say, but it also gives me time to glorify the cycling adventure that brought me here and forget about all the many struggles.
Goldfish brain.
Should I keep on traveling on those two wheels, or is it time for a change?
How about your Goldfish brain?
Thank you all for passing by it is a pleasure to share this journey with you!
All photos and words are my own.
Peanut butter and banana is my favorite exercise food! Peanut butter must be salty, though, or it's just not as satisfying and replenishing.
If that marmalade kitty is living with you it seems like a good enough place to call home. Adventure is good, though, too. And you don't have to stay home forever. (Libra brain, see all sides of the coin, even edges.)
P.S. Your goldfish brain writes some pretty impressive posts.
I'll have to try the salty version!
Ahh he just came by whenever and decided that I am worthy of giving some affection :D obviously claiming the couch for himself, but went off again after a while doing his cat life...
I like that way "not staying home forever" that sounds good!! :) (thanks to the libra for this other side!)
❤️
😁 suggestion given so that I may cycle vicariously through you! 😄
😊😁
Peanut butter and banana 😬
For a lot of people it would be strange to make a journey without having a destination and a duration in mind.
I can understand why you would get fed up with it sometimes. It's nice you can take a break every now and then and become 'human' again.
People tend to forget suffering more quickly than the precious moments. That's the good part of the goldfish brain.
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Never getting tired of it (banana peanut butter)😁
I guess it isn't the most common way to plan or live such a trip, indeed😊 I guess I had a destination but it just constanley transformed or moved further away😁
💙🚲
You have more traveling experience than I do on a bicycle, but you'll know when to stop. Or not. One thing is for sure: We'll never stop pedaling. I kinda migrated to the competition side of cycling. It's just that long-distance touring gets so freakish boring after months of living outside. And then we see people passing by on a van and 'hmmm maybe van life'.
...I don't know how many times I looked at cars, vans, buses in awe, wishing I could just drive one of those😂
Well yes I guess it is a lifestyle, not much space for other things beside. But giving up cycling completely isn't an option!:) Where to or from did you cycle long distance?
And strap a bicycle on top xD Use the van as 'base' and the bicycle to explore around, hit trails, etc
Did the coast of Uruguay in 2018 and cycled from Poland to England during the winter in 2019 (down to Slovenia, through Italy and France)
It's a great journey you have embarked on. The truth is that skme of these trucks drivers always drive recklessly. They never cared of who is beside them. So, you just need to be careful
Thank you:) Indeed we have to be really careful, especially on the busy roads!
it looks you had very cool fun trip out there .... and all this good sweets also :))
I did indeed😊 ...aah well you have to treat yourself with something after all that cycling!!😁
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That's awesome news, Thank you😊🌻
Wow, congratulations @kesityu.fashion! You're on fire with your Hive achievements! Keep up the great work.