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Published: July 12th 2017
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Hooray, we've made it to Bodo, gateway to the Lofotens. Two nights ago we were camped when a bike tour company, 'bike-dreams.com', pulled in. One big truck and 2 smaller. They quickly set up tents and tables as 40 riders began riding in! Quite an operation with 6 support staff. They were well away from us and except for a morning rush on too few bathrooms they were good neighbors. By 8:30am they were all gone, riders off and trucks gone! We were off for a 53 mile ride with lots of hills and rain. We went through several tunnels. They're nice in that they cut out some of the big climbs, but they are freezing inside and the roar of traffic is really rough. We were well tired by the end of the day. Luckily we were able to get to a campground with a cabin available so we could spread everything out to dry.
We actually woke to sun and anxious for the the short 20 mile ride to Bodo. As we were getting ready, I noticed a couple of other tourers near us and a girl fiddling with her bike. Looked like another fellow tried to help
but he left and then she was on a cell phone to someone and looking at the bike. These things can get out of hand quickly, but I had to see if I could help. Naturally they had tried to adjust the rear derailleur and had messed up the high and low stops. I readjusted the stops and adjusted cable tension as best I could. The real problem was a worn chain and slightly bent derailleur hanger. Crazy thing was she and her friend had just stopped at a bike shop and the 'mechanic' had told them the chain was fine and and had 'adjusted' the derailleur and sent them on their way. It gets worse. Naturally after I had finished, her friend asked if I could look at her bike! What a mess; badly bent derailleur hanger, worn out cassette and chain! The same mechanic had 'adjusted' her derailleur and again sent them off. The result was she was on a steep hill, tried to shift down, the chain jumped off and she fell. Luckily she didn't get hit by a car!!! Turns out the derailleur hanger was bent in I shipping the bike. I managed to straighten it
a bit, but it was in bad shape. I did manage to get the stops adjusted so the chain wouldn't jump off, but with everything worn, the shifting was marginal at best. I was very frustrated, but she was totally happy after taking it for a ride!?!?! I explained to both girls what needed to be done when they got to a bike shop, but from stories from other riders we've met, I'm not sure they'll get much help until they get to a major city. Of course now I figure if ask for asylum I'll have a skill I can bring to the country that they obviously need! I can set up a little shop on velo 1 route!
Anyway, tomorrow the ferry to Svolvar!
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Tot: 0.239s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 5; qc: 45; dbt: 0.0459s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Bob Clifford
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George to the rescue!
Loved the story about fixing the "fixed" bikes!