“Let’s Go!”

Back on the road! This year’s bike journey will take us across 8 countries of Central Europe, from Poland to Montenegro, over the Tatra Mountains and the Julian Alps to the Dalmatian Coast. We’re meeting 15 (!) of our best friends to bike Croatia towards the end of the trip. 

We (and by “we” I mean Dennis) had our fastest airport bike assembly ever. It went so quickly that ~one~ of us left their shirt hanging in the airport bathroom where we changed into our bike kits. One shirt doesn’t sound so bad until you realize it’s 25% of your shirt inventory. 

The last known picture of Dennis’ favorite shirt

It was also the prettiest ride into the city of Krakow. Normally we navigate highways and industrial sites to find our way into the city.

Krakow is the capital of Lesser Poland, although it is by no means “less”.  There is amazing wealth and well-being apparent everywhere, cities and country. Their GDP growth is the second highest in the world (after China).  There were no homeless people or even struggling people anywhere we traveled. At first I thought they were quite unfriendly because no one would smile back at me when I smiled at them. Then I remembered something I read about the Baltics that said they think when a foreigner smiles at them that they’re actually mocking them. So I started waving and saying hello (while on my bike - I’m not a crazy person), and suddenly everyone waved and smiled back! It felt so good to make a connection. Their language is totally unintelligible to English speakers, with almost no cognates to guide you.  (I kept thinking how their Wordle letters must be so different from ours - predominantly Z, K, B, D and P…)

Dennis is using Outdoor Active to plot and navigate our routes, and each day the app starts with a chirpy “Let’s go!” as we depart. I hear her voice echoing in my ear throughout our route, cheering me on - or so I like to think. When we get off the route, she uses her sternest, most judgmental voice to tell us, “Attention! You have left your designated route!”  She continues warning us until finally she gives up in apparent disgust…until we get back. Then she’ll gleefully tell us, “You have returned to the route!”. Love her or hate her, it’s a great app.

Deviating from the designated route always seems to end well, even if there’s hike-a-bike involved. Or at least Dennis keeps telling me. 

Crossing the Dunajec - eventually

Three Crowns National Park

Just another castle background shot

                          

Lesser Poland farmlands 

Dunajec gorge - we followed the river for days

Approaching Slovakia and the Tatra Mountains

And so our 6 week, 1,400 mile wandering has begun. There’s a re-learning that occurs each time, remembering to focus on the journey and not the destination (no matter how hungry you are), finding your rhythm each day as you pack up, unload, unpack, pack up, repeat day after day, looking forward to the adventure the day will reveal, fighting your anxiety about the route (especially the deviations), and really just appreciating the moment with full gratitude. Our last 2 trips were sidelined by COVID and a broken elbow, so every day riding in good health is something to be grateful for!

We’re grateful for your support and comments, and hope you enjoy this latest journey.