By motorbike from Prague to the Sahara - 1st part of the journey
I'm leaving Prague...
Prague - Pilsen - Karlovy Vary
After arriving in Karlovy Vary, I learn that dad is leaving the next day for a trip to Holland… hmm, I think… the perfect opportunity to let him know that I’m also leaving for a little trip. I’m already dialing it on my mobile phone: Me: “Hi dad! So you’re going to Holland and you won’t even tell me? 🙂 Just so you know, I’m going to Morocco tomorrow! On a motorbike. ” Dad (after a slightly tense pause): “On a motorbike? Hmm… so you’ll drive through Germany and preferably around Stuttgart. Call aunt, you can sleep there .” Food for thought: Does the phrase “dial on the phone” still make sense? I’m dialing aunty. It’s been a few years since we saw my aunt, but word got around, and together with the fear that my aunt wouldn’t have any idea who I was, my plan to not stay in Germany longer than necessary also fizzled out.
Karlovy Vary - Stuggart
I have other concerns, like avoiding highways. I’m not ready for a fast ride. It is true that I have ridden half of Mexico and also the north of Vietnam on a motorcycle, but in both cases the maximum speed of the motorcycles was around 60 km/h. The unlimited speed of the autobahns in Germany would only make me panic.
An hour later…
I drive on highways all the time and my eyes nearly pop out of my helmet. They strictly reflect my fear and nausea caused by the speed of 130 km/h. And that’s mainly because I’m without a doubt the slowest vehicle by far. When you are afraid and have no choice, there is a simple solution. Clamp the halves and continue.
I tried to pull off the freeway several times, but always immediately lost track of my current location. And so I always preferred to return to the highway, where there was no shortage of signs for Stuggart. It was not pleasant. That in 15°C on a motorcycle at 130 km/h in cycling gloves from Decathlon, that’s not exactly a hit parade. It is widely known that the line between courage and stupidity is very thin. This time I felt on the silly side of th border. Maybe I should have waited another year or two and really prepared for it… Eee… no.