Pretty sites
Statue in the shadow
Lost again in Opole


Mountain Bike Trip Map: July 17, 2006
Day 12-Poland Klodzko-Opole:
Complete Log entry for Christian

Made good time today but yesterday burned me out. I have a pain in my right leg that I can’t shake off. Tendons or something or maybe I just have too much time to think. Or maybe the fact that my gears are all screwed up and I only have 5 solid gears to run with has something to do with it. I have to stop in the next shop and get some parts or I’ll be stranded out in the middle of nowhere forging a gear out of raw iron.

The road was good until about 11 am when the pavement seemed to melt due to the suns powerful happiness and the tires of the bike seemed to stick adding a little too much friction. I tried to ride without touching the ground but that didn’t work so I just pushed on hoping to get to Opole soon.

Opole is a lot calmer than the last town with a lot less traffic. I met Emmanuelle and we went to look for a hotel for the night. On our way I checked every store until I found someone willing to repair the gears on my bike. He spent a little time and replaced some broken guides and added a link into my chain that I broke a couple of kms back. He didn’t speak a word of English, French or German but I managed to communicate just fine. I asked him how much for the repairs by waving my arms frantically and barking like a dog, he replied by making a symbol of a boat with his feet and chirping like gopher. I imagined that this meant that it was free so I thanked him by drawing a circle in the sand and we were on our way. Charming fellow, I wish I could speak the language.

Anyway we were in the mood for some familiar food so we ordered a pizza from Pizza Hut and went back to the hotel room. It's about nine right now so I think I'll turn in and get a good night's sleep.