On those problems
The day started with two pleasant surprises: my clothes were cleaned like in a premium hotel, I believe they were even ironed, the socks paired, so I was ready to head off. Then they gave me quite a hearthy breakfast and did not even charge me for all the extras, saying it was included in the room price...What a service!
I found myself heading eastwards on Highway 67, next to some very interesting rock formations out of limestone, then some more monestaries, until I reached the town of Ramnice Valcea. There was some clicking sound coming from somehwere and searched for a bike shop. I spent some two hours there, but it was just some smaller settings done - the sound continuing. At the shop, I met the 16-year-old Eugene, who helped with the repairs, spoke perfect English and also was the state-wide #2 in Information Technology (in other words, a hacker 😉. I had an interesting chat with him, he was really grown-up for his age. On the road outside the bike shop, was a gypsy funeral procession taking place, first a priest, then a big black Mercedes, then about 50 people dressed colorfully and then a long line of honking cars (could have been mistaken for a wedding, except for the Mercedes).
Thn it was a road with little car traffic (however, with a lot more horse carriage traffic) till I reached Curtea de Arges. Here I met someone with whom I spoke in French about the general state of Pakistani politics. He was very interested in politics (not just that of Pakistan).
Remember that scratching sound I mentioned before? All of a sudden, it started squeeching and after a long battle, I at least identified the culprit: it was something broken in the back disc brake. Well, I love biking, but am honestly not too good with fixing such issues, though I thought to have taken care of it as the noise continued.
The weather was anything but friendly, plus it was getting rather late, but I continued towards the Transfagaras Highway (the one that crosses the Fagaras Mountains). As I am pushing upwards, suddenly there is no more: the whole back wheel was dead-locked, I literally could not move it. This was right outside a B&B and I just decided to stay there and try to resolve my issue.
The owner's son Mihai, noticed I was fidgeting in the dark, he made me take the bike to the terrasse of the B&B and he even offered to help. To make a long story short, he was a real master and took the break apart - and even better - was able to put it together. A little piece of the brake deformed and this caused the blockade. We tried for about two hours to repair the damn thing, but then we decide to retire. I went to bed rather frustrated wishing these problems had never existed. Also, the weather outlook for the following day was bleak.