Day 40 Sant Teresa Gallura – Porto Torres 105 km

Today was one of those days when I ask myself why I do what I do. Why only. First thing in the morning I thought that 100 km doesn't sound so bad so I slowed down and started later with a funny feeling in my stomach. This turned out relatively quickly as an Immodium case. First a break until they took effect. Then it went on. Only to have to stop again shortly after, puncture in front. Somehow I had that feeling today. So luggage down, patch tires. I found that the cone screw has loosened, of course, not the appropriate tool, so hand tightened. Not good, I need a workshop. Quite out of experimentation, I still tried the self-adhesive patches that I had bought a few days earlier, the tire should possibly also be renewed. Saddle up and continue, only to have a few kilometers again a puncture, this time in the back. So luggage down, patch tires, saddle up again and continue. Only to stop again exactly 100 m further, in the meantime the front wheel had deflated again. So luggage down, tire patch. The self-adhesive patch has probably not worked. After saddling up it went on. It was now half an hour after noon and I had just a little more than 20 km down. Also, I did not get rid of the feeling that I had a eight in each wheel. This can of course also come about due to not properly fitting tires. So I looked where the next bike store was on my way. Okay 80 km and a bit away at Porto Torres "Bici & Coffee", which also opened again at 16:30. So all the background noise in my head off and kicked off, really (only once made photos, otherwise only descended to contoll the wheels). Have it rolling, every slope with the middle blade pushed up (3 pieces each from 5 to 200 m, a total of 1000 meters of altitude), the sweat just ran down. Was again such a "gives-no-clothes-for-this-weather" day. In the descents I let it run properly, instead of making as usual one on caution, so 50 km/h were there a few times on the speedometer. At 8 minutes before reopening I stood in front of the store, meanwhile almost nothing wobble (the tires, by driving, or by deflating and again massaging and pumping up moved straight again), but I had a small list in the head together what could possibly check. And if nothing goes here, there was still a big sports store nearby and tomorrow I have still a day time. When the two came, they saw me already, I triggered no enthusiasm storms, probably already made bad experiences with bike travelers? I let them first open their store and then in. On my question: "Do you speak English?" I got the answer: " Whether I speak Italian?" Great start! All right, patience was needed here, a quick look around the store told me that they have everything I need, I just have to motivate them to do what I need. So the boss explained what is going on, with the translator in hand that gave me my old work group (Xia) as a parting gift. Centering, no not the brakes. Gear shift! Bent! Right he is. Cone screw hand tight. Slowly I aroused his interest. He took my buck into his workshop, there you go. That will be something. Spare tire? He came back with classic tires, I found folding tires for me on the shelf. Then it became clear to him that I was not so concerned about the money. Finally we understood each other. And I must say a bike store with coffee counter, brilliant idea. Although the 3 espressos did not get my belly quite well, no matter. Tomorrow is off. Since other customers came, to chat, to try out or to drink beer, the whole thing dragged. But he got me a few times in the workshop (is usually closed to custemers) to show me a few things. Both wheels centered, although they were not really crooked, rather the coats did not sit quite correctly. My fears about the new wheel he has taken me. Stable it is, he said. That I got that in Sardinia, he did not want to believe me completely, there he meant I would have had really luck. I had to agree with him on that, too. Cone screw he has tightened and my derailleur of the gear shift he has replaced. My chain he has also changed the same. Was now also a few thousand kilometers (6k - 8k or more?) on. So I had before 4k the last inspection, was time. Brake disc and pads he said are still good, had rather no replacement there. That I can change from 180 mm to 160 mm, by removing the adapter, he did not quite understand. Then it went to pay and I had already really a sinking feeling in the stomach (or came through the 3 Espressis?). Maybe shouldn't have said, "What ever it takes!" (favorite character from a favorite movie). Boom the price shocked me. In a positive way. That was really not expensive, thank you very much! Am then after 2 hours relieved go, and miss the sound of grinding chain on the derailleur now already. Gone is it, I have to ring again when I approach from behind pedestrians. Damn. In this sense, good night and Mr. Putin, this war knows no winners, let it be.

waiting until Immodium set in

Castelsardo

Castelsardo

Mille Grazie!