Well, I survived another day. We had an 89k and 1600m climb with about 20k of gravel road with 2 degrees at the start and rain for 90% of the day. Does anyone want to join me? It is funny the conversation one has with himself during the ride: Damm, my thumb is cold, oh I don’t like that water running under my sock, I hope the girls have made hot soup, will this rain turn to snow at the top of the big climb, I hate gravel, I should quit and get in the car, who cares, no if I do that it will be even easier tomorrow to quit, damm it is cold, and on and on it goes.

As I was feeling sorry for myself, I spotted one of those big German-type overland trucks parked up ahead. I pull alongside, and just as I did, the driver comes around the back. I see he is from Austria, and we introduce each other. His name is Fidel, and he is driving around the world and is about halfway. His truck is covered in stickers, and he got stopped by COVID and had to leave his truck in Russia for two years when the war broke out, but he overcame that problem and is now making good progress. He has written seven books in German about his world journey and has many big-name sponsors. We shared information and promised to meet in Costa Rica.

After that chance encounter my spirit rose and I started to enjoy a long climb even though in the back of my mind I worried about snow at the top of the pass and hoped it would not materialize. It did, but not much; there was snow on the side of the road and a few flakes descending from the clouds, no problem. Near the end of the day, I meet a young fellow, Philip, from Poland, now living in the UK, riding north to Alaska. He is doing his ride to raise awareness about people with mental disabilities. After a brief chat, we wish each other good luck and good weather.

A warm hostel with a fire in the pot belly stove, a hot shower, a shot of rum, and a good meal, and all seemed well.