~ Friday ~
~ So many clouds ~
The ride took me through what seemed like hundreds of farmers fields, corn mostly, which is taller then me! Way taller!!! Not a car or person to be seen for miles, except the occasional old farmer on a bicycle, always a pleasure. It was the first cloudy day and I wondered when the rain would come, obviously I took precautionary measures, by strapping the tarpaulin all over the place, it was not as simple as I had envisioned, however after a short while I continued on my merry way.
As I meandered through the fields I came to what seemed like an abandoned village, very eerie, as always I had the urge to look inside but of course, there wasn't anyone to hold my hand so I gave it a miss... Next time!
The rain started to drip at a leisurely pace so I put my feet a working to try and make it to the next stop before it poured! Alas all the speeding ensured was a puncture... Luckily I have packed some spare tubes so it was just a case off whip it off and whip it in... Easy peasy!
On. The long road down to the next stop I came across feild full of old trees which had been stripped of their bark, I had never seen anything like it and wondered what went on. After a few Facebook messages I was finally informed that this is called corking.
Soon I arrived at the next stop, greated by yet another friendly face. All the way through thie trip I have been shown by the universe that people are nice! They aren't there to be feared. I set up my tent on the greenest pitch yet, the grass so thick I couldn't help but spend a few minute gently caressing my feet in it :D
For what seemed like the only time I had a spot in the shade, of course this was an afternoon nap opportunity which I was quick to take on.
In the afternoon I did a little yoga to stretch out my body and took a walk to the local lake. I then took advantage of the pizza menu and arranged to meet some other Boom bikers the next day. The route was approximately 70km and I was ready to meet up with some other people. I prepared the bike and set the alarm ready for an early start.
~ Saturday ~
~ Late starting ~
Not all went to plan, I ate breakfast, finished preparing the bike, got on the bike and noticed another puncture... "Ah maaaan!" Due to the surrounding darkness, I decided to wait for sunrise before attempting a repair. I then started to change the tube and found two little splinters, sticking to the edge of the tyre... "That's why!"
With a little encouragement from the kind owner of the campsite, I set off, determined to meet the others. The route took me through hilly roads up and down up and down, it was long, my legs were tiring, then I checked the map and noticed I had gone off track :(
Finally I thought it wouldn't be possible to meet the guys on time, so I kept my eyes open for a wifi spot... "This could take a while" thought I with no sign off a village for miles... I continued on until I rejoined the planned route and was full of joy when I finally reach Portugal. There are no words to describe the sense of achievement in that moment and it was all I needed to keep me going.
At 10 mins past the arranged meet time I finally came to a service station... Wifi love! It's amazing how much we have come to rely on this technology (just saying), fortunately it allows the magic of long distance communication to continue. For me in that moment, I was able to reorganise the meeting, by changing the destination to a nearby campsite. I had some lunch and off I rode.
As I approached the campsite I came across a choice of paths, one was a hilly paved road the other an
amazing downhill dirt track... Can you guess which one I chose?! Of course! I arrived covered in dust the bike turned bunt orange along with all the bags, but nothing could destroy the exhilaration created by such a road, life is great!
I turned up and checked in quickly noticing other boomers :D
The first people I met were a couple who had both ridden and caught trains from France, with plans to continue their journey around the world. They decided to take the trip after getting married and sold their house and things to do so. Not long after arriving I notice a big group of cyclists and made my way over to say hello.
They were all very interesting and after our initial introductions we spent the afternoon sharing stories of the road, eating and getting to know each other.
3 English guys rode from Surrey, through to Idahna a nova and plan to continue on to Morocco after the festival... Good luck guys!
There were a few Americans who's stories I can't recall, but I know they rode a fair distance to get here... Big up!
Then there was the Aussy who rode from Amsterdam and the French guy who rode from France, those two were my favourite, you could see the bond they had created between them after just three weeks on the road. The French man is the one I had been in communication with and in very glad to have met such beautiful people, full of life and creativity... Live well guys! (LOVE)
After cycling the for longest time yet, I was ready to sleep and happy not to have to set alarms.
~ Sunday ~
~ It's boom day :D ~
Without the buzzer set, still I woke at sunrise, although the time difference gave me an extra hour. I had the best breakfast so far in form of an English breakfast. It's is however the first time I've has one in a bowl, great experience! And delicious! As the others slowly began to arise, it felt nice to be around people again.
There was a rumour that the Boom gates had opened early and a few of the guys began to panic and rush around with the intention to leave as soon as. We had planned to leave around 12 which would give us plenty of time to arrive at the gate before 7pm (the arranged time for the cyclists entrance). After doing things my way until this point, it was interesting to take a group decision. In the end a few left early and the rest left as planned.
The ride to the festival was up and down, but with a group of 8 in convoy, spirits were high for the final kilometres before the festival arrival! Woohooo!
As we reached the turning to the festival, exhilaration kicked in and the ride past the 15 hour queue of cars and camper vans made the entire journey an even bigger victory.
We then reached an open spot perfect for a week of Boom! Shade did the tents and an open space for our new community!
~ Many days ~
~On Boom time ~
Settling into the festival meant losing track of time, not being able to access the internet or charge my phone and not caring to much about the story I would share here on the blog.
The best bits about taking a bike to a festival:-
1. You get to skip the queue.
2. The bike can be used to go in and out if the festival for shopping trips (this saves slot of money on food as supermarket prices are less than a third of festival prices)
3. You can camp really far from the main stages and still travel into the centre quite quickly.
4. You can use the bike to transport stuff saving you an achy back.
5. The bike can be used as a taxi offering a new festival friend the chance to rest their legs.
6. A bell makes a great festival companion enabling an exciting ruckus of noise to transport festival goers into a higher state of excitement and or frustration.
The week at Boom has been an incredible one I've met many wonderful people and made a few good friends. The festival promotes sustainable community living and educates people in methods of creating sustainable life for the environment, the body and the future of the planet. They hold seminars and workshops which teach the vast subjects, practices and learning tools for anybody wishing to take a step toward a healthier future. Not only that but they create a community encouraging all 42,000 people to take care of each other and Boom land. Cycling is new aspect of the Boom program, this year increasing the awareness and bringing in over 70 cyclists. In the next years we hope to see a better established system and a huge number of Boom bikers taking to the roads. Boom Bike LOVE!
Towards the end of the festival I felt it would only be right to donate my bike to a new friend and fellow cyclist to continue on the journey through Europe.
Since then I have continued the Boom Love travelling with a group of 9 Boomers who came together as thousands of others left. We took to the roads travelling half on bicycle and half pushing a shopping trolley (also a great method for transportation) thoughts have come and gone, the journey is one of love and life learning. There may be more cycling to come the decision has not yet been made, but Life will unravel in time.
