This hostel is really fantastic! It’s a farm and hostel in one. The owners are English from Lancashire and they are very helpful. I had a thoughtful ride and arrived here a bit troubled but now everything looks brighter.
To begin with my feet didn’t feel good today and my left foot still felt weak. It’s scary and I was actually thinking of turning back. Not so much that it interferes with my riding because I have taken up the habit of shifting gear with my heel. Learnt that some years ago when I had a fractured toe. But the weird feeling of numbness is unpleasant and worrying. I was only two day-rides from home and I wanted most off all to see my doctor. I have no experience of limbs going and staying numb. From my experience numbness wears off when pressure realises. What this is I have no idea, but it seems to make sense that it is connected to the riding somehow. But I have been on longer and harder rides in my life and nothing like this has happened. My heart felt a bit lighter after communicating with my aunt Gun via text messages and I decided to continue to ride and see a doctor if it gets worse or otherwise see one when arriving Gothenburg on Monday.
I was riding on beautiful roads today, but had a hard time enjoying them. My brain was occupied on how to handle this situation, go back home, see a doctor here, push on and see a doctor in Sweden. What if it got worse and I couldn’t continue, how then to go about things with the bike and me? Passing the Harley Davidson store along my route I went in on an impulse. They must have experience of vibrations, was my thought. The boys were very helpful and even though I was more thinking of changing footpegs they started to go through the bike, went for a test ride to feel the engine, and then looked at the chain. They suggested they tighten it and I agreed. Then they looked troubled and showed me that the chain really was worn out. A bit embarrassing for me who tried to explain that the bike had just been on service and no-one mentioned the chain then even though it is on the list of things to check at an annual maintenance.
Now it all seems to be working out well since the host is very knowledgeable regarding mechanic stuff and is helping me out arranging with a garage tomorrow. I certainly hope they can take the bike in for a change of chain and sprockets.
After googling the internet for “numb feet vibrations” I also found some information about the effect of a worn chain and that that causes more vibrations… so hopefully I will get the feeling of my feet back soon to. And hopefully I get a good nights sleep, I need it!
My grateful thanks today goes to:
My aunt Gun for providing medical advice and pointing out that it probably isn’t a deadly disease that causes my numb feet.
Christopher for being supporting as always and listens to my troubles and makes me feel better.
The boys at the Harley garage who hepled me for free out of good will! Merci!!!! …and I hope you read this!
John, the host of Le Grand Chaume Hostal who is helping me arrange to get a new chain tomorrow.
