We are arrived back from Croatia last week already. For a travel blog the frequency of the posts is a bit low 😉 😉
But to be honest, I was exhausted most of the evenings to think about writing another post.
But let’s recapture a bit this trip. The first week was quite challenging, because of weather, sickness, missing endurance and of mismatched expectations.
Day 2, 30.05.2019, Karlobag to Gospić
We started around 10am, with a great attitude (which should change during the day). For the first 20 km we had to climb 1,000 altitude meters. Yes, nothing for my cold and non-existent endurance. But it was not too bad either. It was amazing seeing all the flowers on the side of the road. We came just at the right time to see them blossom in yellow, blue, red…
However, my ass is not ready for cycling yet 😀
On the pass we had something small to eat but overall it was not enough and until we got a real lunch it was already too late for me.
A warning to everybody, if I am hungry I get angry and I am not a person to be around with 😉
After a short discussion during lunch we realized that it’s better to find a place to stay in Gospić as the next one is quite far away. Also, because it had only 12 degrees.
Day 3, 31.05.2019, Gospić to Pilici
Waking up with pain in the back is no fun. And on top looking out the window and realizing it is raining while neither me nor the weather forecast expected it can be quite devastating to me. So, the mood was already gone out the window while the day didn’t even start yet 😀
Getting to the Krka waterfalls was out of question for me and expressing that didn’t improve the overall mood. On the opposite, I had the feeling that it was quite bad.
Like that we cycled along paved road up and down. At a longer downhill we had to decide wether going left to the waterfalls or right back in direction of the car. Along the way I was sure to go back but at that moment, after 6 hours of feeling a low vibe in the group, I decided to go left. The next hours I was angry at myself for doing something I didn’t want to, maybe more out of being a people pleaser. Does it help? No! But I find it really difficult to get out of these moods once I am in there. I know that this is not where I want to be but my mind with it’s thoughts makes it so hard. I really don’t trust those thoughts and don’t want to have them anymore. So, who I am if not my thoughts?
There is a big difference between where I want to be, where I was in my bliss state, where I am mostly and where I am when the shit hits the fan.
Anyway, along the way we saw houses that still displayed the bullet holes from the wars, which happened nearly 30 years back.
The best moment today was after the river Krka when we cycled over a plateau to our accommodation. The sunset was so beautiful and the clouds amazing. We call them “Schäfchenwolken” (fluffy clouds) in German.
In the end we cycled over 140 km today. At a day I said I cannot anymore. 😯
Day 4, 01.06.2019, Pilici to Skradin
We just got out of the village and already had to stop. My bike didn’t turn anymore and I thought “this is it”. Strangely, I wasn’t relived at this. However, thanks to having SRAM we could remove the crankset, tighten the screws on the smaller rim and put everything together again. Off we went to the Krka waterfalls.
The entrance fee of 200 Kuna (around 25 EUR) per person is a lot. But even having been there 3 years ago it was worth it. Due to the heavy rains there was a lot of water and they were even more impressive than 2016.
After the angry feeling the day before I was thankful today that we rode until here. Maybe I should remember/follow more the quote “this, too, shall pass”.
We had some coffee/lunch in the afternoon and after unsuccessfully trying to solve a Sudoku we decided to call it a day. Just a few kilometers farther we found our stay for the night.
Day 5, 02.06.2019, Skradin to Posedarje
Today we started without a breakfast. Well, we had to, since there was nothing around. When the hunger became biggest suddenly cherry trees appeared. Even while the bike was rolling I jumped off and unto the tree. Later on, I was reminded that eating too many cherries isn’t that great for the stomach 😉
Today we experience a rain shower. We could escape the first one below some trees in a cementary. And luckily, at the second one, we were already drinking coffee. In the end, our goal for today wasn’t that far. We cycled towards the lake Novigrad. It’s amazing how friendly the Croatian are towards cyclists. They hunk the horn, wave excessively or slow down to have a chat with you.
Day 6, 03.06.2019, Posedarje to Novalja
It wasn’t a very strenous day. We crossed over to the island Pag, but not before we had a coffee (or two) at a very nice place at the sea.
The island has a city with the same name and that was our place for lunch, well a late lunch at 2pm. However, it was way too much. If I eat too much and cylce afterwards my blood sugar goes down and I feel very weak. Give me some sugar or sweets and it gets better.
So even that it was not a strenous day I was happy to arrive at our destination.
Day 7, 04.06.2019, Novalja to Zengg
It was a short trip (around 10 km) from our hotel to the port because in order to get off the island we had to take a ferry. Although, a very short ride of about 15 minutes only.
Other than that the way was very well known because it was the same as we did on the first day. This time however, I felt better riding it.
I was really happy arriving back at the car. I was not in shape do have done this trip and there was more suffering involved than I would like to. But also mentally I put myself often in a corner I don’t want to be anymore.
Summary
Overall, we haven’t really done what the term “bikepacking” is about 😀
We had the tent with us but never used it, we had Mountainbikes but never really needed them.
After fumbling around for days on this trip with the packs I have to say that I am not convinced that would be my choice if I want to do another bike traveling trip. On the next trip I will try out panniers. I think I might like them better as they can be attached and removed much easier.
I continued doing my morning routine every day but to be frank, I am missing the connection to whatever I had before. Now that I know what it could be (how I could be) it’s even worse now that I don’t have/be it. But even so, I should be content (and accept) whatever the present moment presents. WIP 😉
The trip was very worth it, out of the learnings (both about traveling with a bike and about my current mental state). There is still a lot of work to do (except there isn’t and I just accept the present moment hahaha).
Love,
Matthias