Today I had a huge problem to which I found a perfect solution. I broke a 3rd spoke on my back wheel… I thought about giving up and take the train until I called a bicycle shop 20 km away which could repair my wheel. Yes!
I woke up at 6:20 am. I’m packing and will leave soon after.
Packing
Short break 😊.
The weather is still cloudy and a little cold.
Come on sun!
Geovelo sends me to tricky roads again.
Some time later
I did a short break. I’m on a smooth road but right after I started moving, a third spoke broke…
The wheel is getting weaker. I’ve checked and I’m about 23 km away from the next train station. I don’t have much choice unfortunately.
Let’s ride even more careful than before.
Actually I’ve checked if there is a bicycle shop in Saint-Amand-Montrond. Most were closed but one answered my call.
Hello, Cycles-Sports 18 here.
Hello, I'm calling for a kinda of an emergency. I'm touring on a bike with small wheel. I've got now 3 broken spoke and I wonder if you could swap some from the front wheel to the back so I can finish my trip.
Actually, we do have the machine to cut spoke at any size you want but we are quite busy today.
Ok but as I said, I'm travelling right now so it's a bit critical. Would that be possible to fix it today?
Mmmh, ok I understand. Can you make it to the shop?
I'm about 20 km away so I need roughly an hour.
Ok, so the best is that you come at 2 pm. We will fix your wheel. I'll call some of our clients to inform them about the schedule change.
Cool! Thank you so much! See you at 2pm then.
No worries, see ya.
Wow! How lucky? We checked 2 bicycle shops in Toulouse (a bigger city obviously) and none of them could help. These guys will. Now, my wheel must last another 23 km😅.
Some time later
Arriving in Orval, the town just before Saint-Amand-Montrond. Almost there.
Crossing “Le Cher”.
Stop at the bakery
It’s now 11:40 am. I have more than 2 hours to eat.
I also have time to update my blog 😊.
Here we are. The shop will open in 15 minutes or so. I want to dismount my wheel so I won’t delay too much their on going work.
greasy hands
Done! I’m ready.
I gave my wheel to the repair guy. They told me to come back in 2 hours at 4 pm. Now I’ve got more time to do some laundry. Yesterday I was thinking of doing it so it cannot be a better time.
The machine was way to generous with the laundry powder!
Washing / blogging
My wheel is fixed! The guy said it’s a good quality. He changed the 3 spokes and true the wheel again. It’s like new again. Wow, that’s such a relief! I could have take the train but it’s so much better to cycle to the end.
Saint-Amand-Montrond seems to be a nice city.
Let’s have some food then.
Salad instead of sandwich for a change.
Food time
That’s the Musée Saint-Vic. Closed today apparently.
Back along a new canal. The Canal de Berry.
It’s not used for boating any more. There is no water anyway 😅.
The road along the canal transform into grass so I’m on the main road for now.
Back on a small road again.
This is Vernais.
I imagined going further but this place is too tempting to stay for the night.
It has a table, drinkable water and perfect trees. I’ll stay 😁.
Setting up camp early
I’m not sure if it’s going to rain or not but I’ve setup the full camp.
If rain comes I’m ready!
Now, I’ll eat, wash some clothes and take shower. Too easy 😁.
See ya.
One response to “Bétête > Vernais”
Vernais à l’air bien intéressant, surtout la boucle autour du Cher. Idée à retenir. Finalement, ce dut une bonne journée non? 😊. Souhaitant que la pluie ne se soit pas invitée 🤞😘