09 Jul 2025, 1229

Waiting for my bike to get fixed. It’s really surprising that my chain has worn out this much already, so the person at the bike store recommended replacing the chain and maybe the cassette. Unfortunately they didn’t have any replacement for my existing 48-teeth cog, so I might have to contend with a 43-teeth cog. I am hoping I will still be able to climb up the hills.
After I deposited my bike in the store for repairs, I wanted to check out the maritime museum in Trondheim. It’s quite small, but I had a few hours to kill. While walking there, I heard someone calling my name; it was Kristof. He and his girlfriend are spending a few days in Trondheim before Kristof starts again.
During our a little chat, we were talking about how cities differ from the countryside, and I realised how addictive this life on the road is; at least the sheer simplicity of it; the most complex decisions to take in a day are what to eat and where to sleep. And even those are not a particularly complicated decisions, given there are very few options to begin with. Eating at the grocery store, gas station or in front of my tent. Since I can’t carry much, my meals are simple, easy to prepare. And for sleeping, it’s usually the next camp-ground, or a grassy flat surface. Water is usually close by, and charging my battery bank doesn’t take too long. Sometimes I am probably mistaken as a hobo with a nice jacket, but that rarely a bother, quite the opposite actually. This lifestyle is only sustainable at this pace because there is some infrastructure around wherever I am. I wonder how it would feel like in a more expeditionary setting. Probably not as addictive, but I am willing to find out.
Ran out of shampoo, haven’t bought more. Haven’t used my own detergent for a while, so that also had to go. Haven’t use deodorant of any kind since forever, so that can went into trash. Gave up my camping mat for a lighter smaller one. All in all this is all incredibly liberating, to shed things that I am discovering don’t need.
As for my plans today, I was hoping the bike check would result in everything is in fine condition and I would be able to leave Trondheim before lunch. Even though part of me thinks it probably would have been good enough for the rest of the trip, chain wear is something I am not inclined to take lightly; I suppose major part of the wear is all the muck and mud that got stuck to the drivetrain. Should have cleaned better! I haven’t cleaned anything since Fjerritslev.
16:01:
The bike drive train has been cleaned and replaced. Now I’m on the ferry to Vanvikan. It’s generally difficult to give up comforts of a real bed, or a nice bathroom, but I am also itching to be on the road again.