Thursday, 10 August, 2017 --- Day 24 -- From gaz station To Baku

ΚΑΤ’ΕΜΠΟΡΙΑΝ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΩΡΙΑΝ

ES MUSS SEIN

CARTAGO DELENDA EST

Nos perituri mortem salutamus

Thursday, 10 August, 2017 --- Day 24

From gaz station To Baku

Stats

Day dist: 55.28 km

Riding time: 4 hours 50 mins

Avg speed: 11.44 km/hour

Max speed: 36.06 km/hour

End day odo: 2905 km

Dist covered so far: 1205 km

Coordinates: 40.369800N 49.839600 (Mr. Hostel)

Alt: 98.5

Was up before 6:00 and after connecting to internet and unsuccessfully trying to resolve the name mispelling on my plane ticket, I hit the road.

My petroleum motel

I biked well and as there was no wind I was fast.

At 12 kms I saw a nice cafeteria on the other side of the road and stopped for the morning tea. I did order tea and after exchanging a few words and info with the two guys that were there they also offered me a couple of sweets. I stayed for more than one hour and it appeared that I was able to resolve the misspelling issue over the interenet. The place had wifi and I used it.

It seemed that I would have an easy ending of my ride to Baku. I left at 9:30.

Man proposes, God disposes. Never forget that.

The promiced easy ride turned out to be the most difficult one of the trip. The wind that had been against me since day one, now it was against me with a vengeance. It was so strong that my speed slowed down to almost one third of the usual. I told myself that this is probably temporary or only for a small stretch BUT the wind kept going strong till the end. Hardly ever did I curse more in my life.

I had a resupply stop at 22 km (11:15)

Spithas patiently waiting

Stills the gods had not forsaken me, it seemed. When I parked Spithas and crossed the highway to the small market store, I left my helmet hanging on the handlebar. As usual, I left my bandana in the helmet. When I returned the bandana was missing. I realized that the strong wind had blown it away How can I be so stupid? At the very least I would search in a small distance in the direction of the wind. I knew it was hopeless but I had to do it.

Lo and behold!!!

Ten tons of luck

How could this have ever happened? The bandana was wrapped around a small rock on the ground. The gods still love me.

I made another stop at 35 kms at 12:15. It was at a bus stop so that I would be protected from the continuuous whipping of my face with sand blown by the wind.

When I was totally exhausted, I made my final stop at a gaz station where I had tea offered by the very nice attendants. The news was that I was closer to Baku than GPS was telling me.

I carried on, litterally dragged myself against the wind.

I made it alive.

Entering Baku

I biked to a hostel I had located on internet, “Mr. Hostel.” Thanfully there was a bed for me.

Also, a very nice lady, Ayshan, was in charge. She was not only nice but also very helpful. Thanks to her, I managed to resolve all the pending issues. I am really grateful to her.

ΕΙ ΘΕΟΣ ΥΠΕΡ ΗΜΩΝ, ΤΙΣ ΚΑΘ’ΗΜΩΝ; Προς Ρωμαίους 8:31

IF GOD BE WITH US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? Romans 8:31