We decided to cycle to Mechelen where Raf Van Hulle was organising a workshop about the Sun Trip. With an early start we were on the road by 6:45 AM. It was still dark outside when we rode along the Schelde eastbound. Gradually the clouded sky lighted up as we approached Dendermonde where we had a quick pitstop at the LIDL.
From thereon out Auguste, sitting at the back, took on navigator duty and guided us through the countryside towards Mechelen. We were running slightly late and after a short detour involving roadworks and passing a bakery to buy lunch we arrived at Raf’s place shortly after 10.
There we met the other Belgian particpants and sympathizers. The info sessions of Raf and Florian, one of the Sun Trip organisers, were very informative. The day quickly passed and at 6:30 PM we packed up and started our journey home. It was already dark and a strong headwind made things harder. To make things worse it started raining, limiting visibility on the unlit path along the Schelde. Due to the lack of a rear fender Auguste’s back and behind were being showered with the cold water.
As we passed Wetteren disaster struck as Auguste sugar levels dropped and his legs turned into spaghetti. Luckily we quickly found a night shop and he smashed a pint of Ben & Jerry’s as we put in the final kilometers towards Ghent. Wet and tired we were happy to finally be home again around 10 PM.
