Cycling 2750km from Belgium to Spain (Ep. 4)

What began as a standard day on the road quickly turned into an adventure. After discovering Wim’s sleeping mat had sprung a leak – a seam failure too large to patch – we decided on a 50 km detour to Saint-Quentin to hunt for a replacement. Armed with Komoot’s routing, we set off, trusting it to guide us through unfamiliar territory. The gravel paths it chose were a mixed blessing: breathtaking views on one hand and bone-shaking rocks on the other. By midday, our arms and hands felt like shock absorbers, and saddle soreness gained some unexpected competition!

A sunny lunch break under wind turbines gave us a moment to recharge, with a stunning valley spread out before us. Not long after, we reached Saint-Quentin. While Wim dove into the sports store on a mission, I stayed with the bikes – we’d heard too many tales of theft to leave them unattended. A short while later, he emerged victorious, holding up a bright orange bag containing the elusive new mat. Success!

Before leaving town, I got lost in the enormous hypermarket but managed to snag some fresh ingredients for dinner. Back on the road, we followed the tranquil Canal de Saint-Quentin, enjoying smooth cycling and fast kilometers.

As the sun dipped, we found an overgrown meadow for the night. With curious cows looking on, I whipped up tortillas stuffed with chicken and crisp vegetables – a feast worthy of a long day’s ride. This evening, as we rested with sore muscles and full stomachs, I felt an overwhelming sense of freedom. Out here, there’s no room for vanity, no space for embarrassment – just the joy of being truly, unapologetically ourselves. Even with unkempt hair and zits from the road, there’s a quiet pride in how far we’ve come. Here’s to the detours that make the journey unforgettable.

MUSIC CREDITS:

– Short Warm Piano Prelude – Intro – Ending for Film and Video by JuliusH
https://pixabay.com/nl/music/intro-outro-short-warm-piano-prelude-intro-ending-for-film-and-video-182969/

– Dancing under the stars. Background music for video vlog 30 second by White_Records
https://pixabay.com/nl/music/beats-dancing-under-the-stars-background-music-for-video-vlog-30-second-225250/

– Sunlit Souk by Patrick Patrikios

– Acoustic Guitar Riff #4 by DavidSmith2024
https://pixabay.com/nl/sound-effects/acoustic-guitar-riff-4-237783/

– Funny Comedy by Vivalaum
https://pixabay.com/music/comedy-funny-comedy-116322/

– Sentimental Sweetness – Hopeful A Cappella by Sonican
https://pixabay.com/music/pop-sentimental-sweetness-hopeful-a-cappella-265750/

Sound Effects: Pixabay