Week 4: Hills, Hitches and a Happy Detour.
If there’s one thing this journey keeps proving, it’s that no amount of planning can prepare you for the twists, turns and steep hills life throws your way. This week brought all three… plus a broken bike, unexpected kindness from strangers and a reminder that sometimes the best moments happen when things don’t go to plan.
Friday – The Surprise Hill Finish
The week kicked off with a 70km ride heading towards what they thought would be their campsite for the night, which turned out to be… a town car park. Not exactly the dream. But rather than settle for it, they found a “proper” campsite further up the road. There was just one catch: it came with an extra 140 metres of climbing at the very end of an already long day.
Most people would have called it a night. Not Steve, Eva and Danny. With Steve pulling, Eva pushing and Danny steering, they powered up the hill. It was a true team effort and a great reminder that sometimes the best wins come when you decide to go that little bit further.
Saturday – Planning Ahead (and a Farmer’s Field)
Saturday’s 75km ride wasn’t just about moving forward, it was about strategy. They spent the day figuring out where they could camp for the next two nights before crossing into the Czech Republic. But after weighing it all up, they decided to change tactics: instead of three slow days, they’d aim to reach the border in just two.
That decision led them to a much simpler spot for the night, a quiet pitch in a farmer’s field.
Sunday – The Big Hill, the Bigger Setback, and the Best Kind of Help
The final 70km to the Czech border came with one major obstacle: the steepest hill of the trip so far. After Friday’s unexpected climb, they were feeling confident. A hearty breakfast of pastries added fuel to the fire and they set off determined to conquer it.
That’s when Mike appeared, a kind stranger who offered them a lift up the hill. The bikes were quickly hitched, and in no time they were at the top. Easy. Done. Or so they thought.
Moments later, disaster struck. The bike broke. Again. And this time, they were well and truly stranded.
But in one of those moments that restores your faith in people, a family — Gernot, Connie, and their children — came to the rescue. They were literally about to leave for their own holiday when they met the trio. Without hesitation, they unpacked their car, put their plans on pause, and made sure Steve, Eva and Danny got safely into the Czech Republic.
A Well-Earned Break
Since Sunday, the focus has shifted to repairs and tracking down the right parts to get the bike rolling again, hopefully between Friday and Monday. In the meantime, they’re making the most of this unexpected pause: swimming, eating, drinking wine, and spending time with Eva’s parents. It’s not the week they had planned, but it’s the break they didn’t know they needed.
Message of the Week
Take things in your stride; every cloud has a silver lining.
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