Wandering CrankWandering Crank

Biking the World one crank at a time

Journey

Zagreb and my lack of decision making

by Nathan Molyneaux on category ,

After writing this blog I realised that it seems a bit discontinuous, i.e. no theme to the story. I think this reflects how I was in Zagreb. The first stage of my journey was complete, the Schengen area, and now I needed to work out what my plan was now and I was feeling a little bit lost mentally. This feeling has continued through my time in the Balkans and I will be coming back to it over the next few blogs.

The journey to Zagreb

The ride to Zagreb was two days from the festival and I planned on doing the bulk the on the first day giving me more time to do the boring admin stuff.  I ended up wild camping next to a motor home park.  I feel a little aggrieved that Slovenia provides space for motor homes to park up for three days for free but nothing for campers!  The ride itself was rather dull, mainly roads and a bit of a Komoot shortcut involving a rather interesting trail.

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Ljubljana and floating castles

by Nathan Molyneaux on category

Walking round the city in the morning, Ljubljana, like the rest of Slovenia, has a bit of a Mediterranean vibe.  Although the food is very Germanic, I guess left over from the Austro-Hungary Empire.  I learnt the country disappeared for almost a 1,000 year. Quite often being part of another empire and regularly the city would be the centre of conflicts.  Mainly due to the city’s location as the gateway to the Middle East. Crusades often went past here.

The rest of the day was spent chilling with the French crew and watching the England women’s football team win the Euros. There happened to be an England pub attached to my hostel.  The next day involved a quick visit to the castle and a Communist walking tour.  The guide had grown up in Yugoslavia and was 14 when Slovenia declared independency.

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A chance meeting…

by Nathan Molyneaux on category

I am writing this blog from a cafe in Croatia on the way to Belgrade whilst drying my tent after the rain overnight.  I am once again behind with my blogs!

Innsbruck for a time was the centre of the Austro-Hungarian empire and home to the Habsburg’s.  I was staying with Martin and Karen.  I met Martin on a campsite in Meiringen and he invited me to stay in Innsbruck.  They live at the top of a hill overlooking the city with amazing views of the surrounding mountains.  They are excellent hosts, even waiting to do the laundry until I get there, knowing I will have some as well!

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Not everything goes to plan…

by Nathan Molyneaux on category

Actually since starting I’ve found very little goes to plan, maybe these just came along together.

Oddly, I decided to carry a small amount of food on days I had a tough climbs ahead of me.  So by when lunch came along, I had run out of food and was unable to find a supermarket, despite having passed several.  I’m not sure why I had made these types of decisions, but it made the day really tough.  I ended up grabbing a panini at a small side stall at Gruyere castle.  This turned out to be a bad idea, more on that later!

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The forgotten towns between Montreux and Lausanne

by Nathan Molyneaux on category ,

Packing and leaving camp early so I can get to a couple of outdoor shops before lunch. I start by heading downhill; this is always a lovely relief but I was soon shocked by the hills.  I had avoided them on my way through Switzerland and thought my planning was great!  No I just saved the pain till the end.

I had, finally, made the decision to upgrade my tent from my companion of five years, a Wild Country Helm 2, to the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2.  I had been pondering this decision for about 6 months; I’m a fast decision maker, can’t you see!?!  Although still faster than some leadership teams I know!

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