Cycling gets me into reflection mode.
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Bikepacking in Croatia on the Parenzana trail has gotta be one of the safest trails I’ve been on. It’s an idyllic Istrian countryside, past the medieval towns, across numerous viaducts, bridges, and tunnels. Fun fact, it used to be an abandoned railway that has been preserved as a cycling and hiking trail in Istria.
Each day was planned so we had at least half a day to explore each of the towns we were in, riding at our own pace and leaving room for pauses along the way. Thanks for watching and listening to my thoughts.
Route total:
148mi, 8,129ft (238km, 2,477m)
instagram: @bikewithcarolin
I approach new experiences cautiously optimistic. My first bikepacking adventure abroad was in Croatia with my buddies Justin and Jonah. I couldn’t help but wonder, would we jive well? How do we handle conflicts or unplanned circumstances? As fate would have it, the universe presented us with a series of problems, starting Day 1: 1.
We had 45 minutes to perform an F1 assembly, take care of luggage storage, and sprint to the bus stop. 2. We nervously loaded up our bikes on questionable bike racks. 3. In Slovenia, my cleat came loose, so I had to hunt for a screw. And we concluded with shifting issues, requiring fine-tuning.
And you know what, these problems didn’t even feel like complicated issues my brain imagined. They were more like effortless challenges, which made me realize how much fear can hold me back from building genuine relationships and personal growth. In the face of relentless rain, our capacity to find humor in every circumstance, poke
Fun at mistakes, and engage in playful banter brightened even the dreariest of days. It’s embracing those imperfect moments, staying flexible, and focusing on what IS in our control that allows us to navigate challenges with grace. We’ll encounter situations that are out of our control, and the only thing we can do
Is work with what IS in our control to find solutions that are within our reach and timeline, embracing vulnerability and openness. We didn’t beat the rain. In fact, we turned out soggy and attempted a shortcut which felt like a booby trap because
It only took 10 seconds of spinning to notice each revolution was clogging up the clearance on our bikes. We had our own chosen mud scraper and technique (Jonah – stick and bike laid down, Justin and an old toothbrush which snapped on him, me – large stick and upright rolling).
We were at our wits’ end, frustrated and annoyed that this added another 45 minutes to our ride. After a pause, we eventually banded together and worked on each bike one by one until we were mobile. We officially christened our bikes with peanut butter mud, and doing it with friends makes
It even more amusing to look back on. You bet we celebrated afterward. Starting off an adventure with a fearful mindset can stifle the incredible potential of the experience. I recognize it as an ingrained, intellectual fear that was served to protect me.
When problems did arise, we owned it, worked on them together, and made sure we tackled them swiftly. No blame, no complaints, just a mutual goal of making sure we’re safe and enjoying ourselves along the way. Sounds obvious, but I grew up with that as my default reaction.
“If there’s anything I learned from this trip, it’s about learning to trust and let go of control, and if it feels smooth and effortless, then it’s a sign that the pieces are falling right into place.”