Day 159 – Mehriz, Yazd Province, Iran
Starting cycling again feels a bit untrained after 3 Days of Cycling in the past 2 1/2 Weeks. On the first Corner I got out of Balance and rubbed my Panniers, also floating through the City traffic is not so smooth that I am used to. I Left the City towards south and passed the Policeoffice where I got my Visa extended 5 Days ago. On the last bigger Turnarounds I took a short Banana break to sort my mind and my stuff for the ride out of the City.
Ones I left the City behind me and tried to axes the Freeway my Bike felt wobbly 2 Minutes later I pushed it to the sandy side of the Road. Flat Tire in the back its such a pain. Tried to demontage the Wheel without striping of the panniers which worked out but to put it in and fixing it in the Right Position I had to put them down. That experiment didn’t worked out. While I put the Panniers on again a Couple and a Friend approached me. Turned out they are also Biketravellers on their way to the Desert for the a 3 Day Holiday. While watching their Instagram Feed from India, Thailand, Scandinavia, Germany… We changed Details and made us on the way again.
The Sky turned dark, The Wind was blowing heavy from the Mountains where I saw big Rainclouds and the air was full of sand with the unique Smell of Rain in it. I tried to get going when my Bike felt wobbly again. First I thought it was the heavy Sidewind put after looked down it was clear. Flat Tire No 2 after 10km from the previous. I felt raindrops on my skin and quickly rolled back 200 Meters to the Mosque where the Truckdrivers stopped for praying and getting a shot of strong, Black Espresso in the Coffeeshop next door before heading the Road again. I putted my Bike beside the Coffeeshop to get some protection by the short Roof. Striped the Panniers off and started the routine of changing my Back tire again. Under the Saddlebag was a spare Tire strapped on. I bought them to replace the Front tire which got a hole in the Side since Turkey but I putted a 5 Turkish Lira Bill inside and it works since then. The old Back tire is still good to ride but with the heavy luggage and me it’s too weak to cycle on without much trouble. Before I left the Guesthouse in the morning Diego a traveller from Germany asked me if I think I have too much Stuff and I agreed totally. 5 Hours later, the bike is 1kg lighter.
After finished work, washed my dark hands and got also a Coffee. I am back on the road was the Conclusion while I sipped my Espresso with a Group of Truckdrivers.
Headed out again, the Sky was even darker than before, Wind still strong and the People warned me about the upcoming Rain. But I have to go. 30 KM Down the Road is the Zein-o-din Caravanserai which I planed to sleep in. I had 1 Hour of Daylight left. Putted on my rainjacked and started paddling through the Raindrops shooting in my Face. In the upcoming dark the rain stopped, Wind turned to my tail and I had 10km to go. Frozen and Stiff I reached the only lighted structure around 30 KM radius.
From Outside it was Silent, no sign of people. I stopped on the Backside, still silent Just one Lightbulb shows the silhouette of a big wooden door. Knocked it with a heavy piece of Iron hanging there, silence again until the door got unlocked and a Man with a little Boy went out to me. I ask to stay here for that night. The Door opened completely, I pushed my Bike in their like entering a different world. Standing in the entrance hall, floored with Carpets towards the Round Yard, where the tall walls are lighted and the green in the Centre created a magical atmosphere.
A Group of Iranian Friends and Me were the only guests for this night and while we had Dinner on one big Table in the empty Salon it felt like we rented this just for us…
