What started as a romanticised bike trip through France and Italy, turned into an expedition towards the rising sun. Where will it end? Who knows!
As we were approaching the borders of Slovenia, weeks back, we were imagining and joking about what would await us in the eastern parts of Europe. Since we heard about wolfs and bears living in the mountains, we paint pictures of how we would ride our bikes through the bushes, having to fight some wild animals and start to hunt our own food.
Imagination, of course we don’t really expect such sudden and wild changes. Nevertheless, we are entering a country eighter of us has ever been to, which fuels our imagination to the wildest.
Unfortunately, we don’t see nearly as much as we would have liked to about Slovenia. Bad weather forces us to stay inside, and our route leads us through the narrowest part of the country into the next one; Croatia.
One little difference in our surroundings (and the food) after the other is getting noticed.
We cross a lot of really cute houses with marvellous gardens full of fruit trees and veggie plantations. But the one thing that I love, is how in any place near water you could find gazillions of little camping/fishing huts. Each one self-made and to the owners liking. Each one different and unique. How beautiful must it be to spend your summer in one of those?
But that’s for another time, because we chose to cycle and to camp in a tent each night since many many days.
Even though we are excited to cross Croatia and to see what the country has to offer, we want to get through with it. Serbia is waiting for us.
After a few days of pushing and shier exhaustement, we reach the border. And this is where the Adventure really begins.
Everything before was actually pretty chill, we realize now.
From now on: Cycling routes have disappeared, instead we must share the road with trucks and dead animals. There are a lot of gravestones along the road, of people, mostly young guys, that died on the road. I know those, they are everywhere, but crossing them by bike, knowing, that you are the most vulnerable vehicle on those roads, gives me chills each time. And before one chill has passed, I must avoid a dead cat on the road. That’s the ugly part about such an adventure.
I’d rather not end up like that, flat on the road I mean. Each truck bombing past us I hope for the better and fear for the worst. Without any doubts this is the worst part about bike packing. And a part that I am not in control of, I don’t know who it is driving past me, responsible, nice, drunk or too fast…
Occasionally we see some Eurovelo signs, along the road, reminding us of one of Europe’s great projects; building a cycling path from the Atlantic to the black sea. But here the signs aren’t consistent at all. When you really need them, they disappear. You are on your own!
So, we grab some sticks, to defend ourselves from all the dogs attacking us in the field and in the villages and fight our way through it. On our own!
If I think back now, I am laughing, we thought Slovenia might be wild. We were a few countries to early.
And if you wonder why I would do such a thing and go through all that sweat and tears just to ride my bike into the rising sun. It is for those views on the top of the mountain. For all the kindness and smiles we get from strangers. The further we get the kinder people are, welcoming for no reasons. Food is great and each morning I am excited to check out a new bakery on my way. Where will I enjoy my coffee? What will the day bring?
Suffering with amazing views, and tears both of joy and exhaustement.
That’s why we ride on, eastwards into the rising sun.
Thank you all for passing by it is a great pleasure to share this adventure with you!
All photos and words are my own, taken and written by me.