As I got to the deck with my bike I was greeted with the bike on the floor and the derailleur hanger sheered off. This is what had taken the mechanic 90mins to fix the day before. I had a spare that I immediately put on but it seems slightly skew so the gears are not changing perfectly.
Anger beyond what I can verbalise. 🤬🤯
Off the boat at about 7am I rode to a park and sat on a bench for a bit trying to be relaxed. I found a toiled block and changed into my cycling clothes. Then back into the center of town near the port, I went to the Cafe at the Puerto Melilla Hotel and had 2 cups of coffee.
I was feeling a bit despondent and could not really decide what to do. But eventually I decided to take a hotel/apartment and do nothing for the day. I headed to Nador 10kms down the coast. And into Morocco. I passed a bread van selling circular breads, stuffed it into my bag ready for later. I bought a sim, i got some cash.
As I was riding I met Ben (grrr, I wish I had written his name down I thinks it was Ben) He’s a 19 year old Aussi who had cycled from Lisbon. Then rode my proposed route but the other way. We talked for 30mins or so at the side of the road. He wasn’t a cyclist and just bought the bike in Lisbon. I was in awe of his bravery and so admired his happy attitude.
The apartment was not where it purported to be, it was more sleazy than I thought, was dirty, I’m lying in the bed now and hoping the sheets have been washed. 🤢
When I got in I lay on the bed for a second and woke a good few hours later.
The town center is a few hundred meters away. I had shwarma then a milkshake. And pooled off back to the apartment and bed.
More miles tomorrow I hope.
A Couple of Days Ride Outta....... 