Ready to go up towards the Verdon canyon, I enjoyed the nature and felt ready for the climb after the very good breakfast.
But shortly after desaster struck big time. My chain got stuck in the back wheel and I could not move the pedals any more.
I tried everything to get the chain out, even with the help of two cyclists who had tools, but it was not possible.
Again it seemed that it was time to give up on my old bike.
At this point, in the middle of the mountains, unable to use my bike, I decided to walk the 6 km back to Tourtour, look for help and calmly look at the options.
In Tourtour noone was able to help me, so I decided to go 12 km to Flayosc. There was a bicycle shop and it was going all downhill, so I would be able to roll down instead of walking. And even if there was no help available, I could even go further down to Draguignan, the big town which I had passed on my way from the coast.
So I started rolling down on and still was able to enjoy the nature and other interesting things on the way.
In Flayosc the shop was closed. It was Saturday afternoon, really the worst time for my problems.
So I continued further down to Draguignan.
I checked into a hotel where the host brought his tools to loosen the wheel and get the chain out. But I knew that something was broken inside the wheel and that I would probably face the problem again. So now I had some time left to find help in town. The first shop could not help me, but at "Dragui Cycles" I found Regis whom I told about my trip and the problems.
Regis stopped his work and tried to help me before the end of the day so I would not have to stick around until Monday.
We decided to change the wheel. But with every change he made there were new problems because it is a 30 year old German bike with dimensions that do not exist any more. Regis used all his experience and effort to adapt to every problem, and after a complicated operation he was able to put on a new wheel, pinions and tyre.
The bike felt like new and I was able to use all my gears with the chain moving without any problems. The broken frame still seems to hold up.
I thanked Regis and went back to my hotel where I happily watched the Lazio-Napoli game.
I was back to the point where I was two days ago, but I was just happy to have a functional bike.