Second attempt: succes

On June 23rd this year I set off on my first bikepack trip, alone, from the Netherlands to Rome. Unfortunately I didn’t get far as I fell on day 1 somewhere in the ardennes during a descent going around 60 km/h. I was take to the hospital by ambulance where they took photos and kept me for the night. Miraculously I had no fractures or head trauma, but I was covered in skin abrasions. Picked up by my parents the next day and stayed at theirs where I took 3 weeks to recover.

After the third week I tried some short rides again in the Netherlands which felt good. So on July 19th I left yet again. The part I had already done during my first attempt I did by train this time. When I arrived, I cycled back to the spot where I fell and redid the descent for my own moral (with a much more moderate speed this time of course). But I think it helped because any fears I had disappeared quickly. Now after 13 cycling days and 3 rest days I arrived in Rome last Sunday! Great satisfaction to still be able to go on this journey after that fall, and glad I did so.