The worm

Tag #6

Wednesday, 06.05.

We were able to implement 50% of our planning for today.

Sleeping in? Check.

Totally like the lazy worm, waiting until the bird flies away again.

And then something went wrong.

It all started with a huge shock after we finished packing down.

Dave was still interested in a strangely looking stone in the foliage.

Luckily, it was my wallet. It must have fallen out of my fanny pack during last night's dinner.

Although I was never aware of the danger and managed to avert disaster, something felt different.

Shock digested.

Then off we go into the rain.

At the first option to shelter from the rain, the chain gets cleaned and oiled.

A necessary delay.

A short time later, as we depart, the last cable tie on my luggage bag breaks, causing it to detach from the last holder on my bike and want to develop a life of its own, thinking it can explore the world by itself.

So we stop, take off the bags, remove the cable tie, attach the holder, provide for the other side directly, and put the bags back in.

On we go.

Thale is a place we will also remember. Besides the witch huts, greetings from Walpurgis Night, there is again the impression of a beautiful old town.

During a stop at the supermarket, we meet another bikepacker who wants to leisurely circle around the Harz region.

We have moved on from the Harz and are heading back into the plains from the ascents. We ride through the fields, passing country roads.

It’s already afternoon and the speedometer shows barely 50km.

Today’s progress is slow.

Nonetheless, we are thinking about our campsite and take a look at the map.

Unfortunately, in the long run, no forest is visible, so we adjust the route to head for a shelter.

This unfortunately means we have to ride a long way back.

In the process, Dave gets hit by a car coming out of a driveway.

Thankfully, Dave is fine and comes out of the collision unscathed, so it's just material damage.

Aside from a scratched bumper, the front tire is now flat and stuck at the mudguard.

First, let’s gather ourselves, take a breath, and check our options.

The decision is made to take an apartment in Aschersleben, where there are bike shops. Our hope for tomorrow, as it is already close to 6 PM.

The mudguard is screwed on, a quick test, and at a very comfortable pace, we ride the last 17km of the day.

We are greeted with a nice large accommodation, which is immediately used to hang up all our stuff in every nook and cranny to dry.

While enjoying a hot shower, what luxury, we wash our clothes.

After dinner, it’s off to bed.

It's a great feeling to just be able to turn over, but we already miss the rocking of the hammock.