Another farewell

Day #17

Sunday, 17th May

From Wroclaw to Grodziszcze

The alarm clock pulls me out of sleep, to which Dave can only smile tiredly.

Or perhaps well-rested and wide awake.

We prepared a few things last night, still spreading rolls for the day, and the last touches are quickly completed.

Moreover, it's pure luxury to be able to load the bikes in the apartment and take the elevator down again.

And even the few kilometers through the city to the train station are just a hop away. Then it’s time for another goodbye.

One last selfie, and our paths part ways.

Dave heads to platform 6 while I spontaneously stick with the idea of heading further south to the Czech Republic.

Breslau is a modern large city with a charming old town, and I look forward to coming back again with time.

The area is beautiful, and after the suburban sprawl, I'm quickly back among fields and forests.

Bumpy paths await me between the towns, but through the villages and stretches on country roads, I can easily rack up kilometers.

The secluded paths have their charm, and at a wooden bridge with a metal railing, I decide it’s a great opportunity to take a break.

While I enjoy the view and the sound of the stream, a woman speaks to me. She first asks about my plans. After she winks and tells me to put my phone aside, as nature is too beautiful.

From her, I learn that the railing is made from old beds from a former children's colony.

This was supposedly housed in a castle above our vantage point after World War II.

It’s a very positive encounter, and since her son-in-law is from Turkey, I’m to take greetings to Istanbul.

They're packed.

That was the first conversation where German served as the language of communication.

Otherwise, I have surprisingly much contact with locals today; there are two other encounters with cyclists that lead to conversations.

Central to the discussion is primarily my journey.

Is it more interaction because I’m traveling alone, because it’s Sunday and more people are out, or because it’s a different area?

It definitely feels good, especially now that I’m traveling alone.

Though I sense there were more worries beforehand, I realize. Traveling together is nicer, especially when you can share all the impressions and experiences, and being alone now is also good.

It's hard to put into words, but what’s clear is that adventure awaits.

In one of the towns, I’m reminded again that I need to adapt even more.

A bridge over the stream is blocked off.

At the next point I aim for, it turns out to be 20m too high and a highway.

So, I turn back and look for an alternate crossing in the other direction, which I had seen some time earlier.

Ultimately, I mimic the locals. Past the barriers, over, and on I go.

Later in the afternoon, as I’m in a very remote area, the water is running low despite my frugality. The APP shows a spot where there should be water in 20km.

It’s a campsite, and after a brief communication, I can fortunately refill my bottles.

Not long after, I realize the next Zabka (a convenience store akin to a corner shop found every 500m in the city) is always just around the corner.

But this is the crucial credo and must always be: seize opportunities when they arise.

While the mountains at the start of the day were still a bluish haze on the horizon, I now find myself in close proximity, which is noticeable with the ascents.

There’s plenty of forest and a potpourri of roads and paths.

The search for a place to camp is unnecessary.

After glancing at the route ahead, I quickly take the forest area next to me and decide that's good for today.

And then it’s a very peculiar feeling to set up camp alone.

Throughout the day, a certain melancholy accompanied me.

However, it was kept to a minimum. On our shared tour, there were often moments where we rode 'alone.'

Either because of the nature of the paths, because of cars, or simply due to different speeds.

Now, it feels really different again.

First, I lay in the hammock, sway a bit, and listen to the sounds of the forest.

After I muster some energy again, the rest gets done, and exhausted from the day, I soon fall asleep.

Song of the day:

Letzte Instanz - Das ist der Tag

(Lyrics must always be viewed selectively)