directions_bikeReturn of the Sloth

Coffee and pre-ride sweets barely in my bloodstream when disaster struck. First baby climb, slight power increase on butter-smooth terrain, and SNAP – derailleur hanger sheared off like it was made of stale bread. Fifth casualty in less than two years. Do they forge these from compressed dust? There was absolutely no reason for it to break.

Three Raven rides were planned before some mechanical therapy – some minor parts already inbound from MTBiker. This changed everything. Scrambled to do maintenance today so it could at least cure while I take the fresh-chained roadie for a spin. Plot twist: treasure chest empty of hangers. Pivoted to alternative maintenance instead.

Loaded up like a pack mule with my epic ride supplies. Food for half a battalion strapped to a bike going nowhere epic. Basically expensive training weights, committed to one banana only. The shoulder devil was relentless: "Just reach down, grab that gel, you know you want it, you"ll split the road in half with that power.", "That gel"s calling your name. One squeeze and you"ll crack the asphalt." Then the energy bars. Then the "healthy" dried fruit-nut mix. It"s healthy anyway! Every kilometer, new temptations. But I stayed strong, held the line, resisted every whisper.

Pure sloth mode. Heart rate so low my computer thought I died. From Žilina, threw in a few short spontaneous bursts – completely violated the recovery ride protocol, but sometimes you just feel it. The legs demanded chaos. The computer"s screaming for seven days of rest, says I"m still paying off the Mordor debt. Sorry, algorithm, that doesn"t fit my plans. This ride was probably a step in the right direction, though the empty stomach probably sabotaged any recovery benefits.

The comedy peaked near Bytča – cruising 33 km/h with my heart barely aware I was conscious. Recovery ride or time trial? Even I couldn"t tell anymore. That sunset though... Photos are pale ghosts of the real thing. Should"ve been watching it from the peaks, but the derailleur had other plans. Another day, another mechanical middle finger, another great ride regardless. :)