On my second day, from Karlsruhe to Baden Baden, I had come to terms with reality, that bikepacking gravel on a loaded bike won’t be easy. I remember dragging my bike for hours, and I thought to myself I’ve too much stuff. On my bike packing trip to Salzburg or climbing to Khardung-La, 5600m I didn’t have any issue, hence I was unpleasantly surprised that things aren’t moving as planned!
Since I was going to surprise my friends for their birthday in Mannheim, I decided I would offload some stuff in Mannheim. But remember, I only had bare essentials. So I unpacked everything, and roped the tent to the front pannier and attached the sleeping bag to it. Then I packed everything that I had in the front two panniers in the last two panniers.
Oh boy climbing the following day was a breeze.
Hence I realized, we’re not dragged down by the weight of memories but by how we deal with it. Memories of things not working out, failed companionships, rejections, failed projects etc. The past cherished moments, the experiences, the moments of closure are there to stay, one can’t erase it, might as well be grateful about them.
In fact the memories don’t drag you down, but empowers you to face what’s to come! Without a tent, I won’t survive in a forest, and without the memories I won’t be me. Wajood hi insaan ki aaj ki pehchaan hai.
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