Shifting Gears

October 3, 2026. Orebic to Ston, Croatia. 36 miles. 2,997’ climbing. After my accident, I was a bit out of it and off my game as the “Trip Director” who organizes logistics and keeps us going forward in our itinerary. Normally, the night before we take a ferry,  I check to see where it actually leaves from by walking to the actual site if possible, or asking our server at dinner. Last night I forgot to do that. So in the morning we biked over for what we thought was a 2 minute ride to the port where we had arrived.  We were running late on account of my slow morning movements, and were shocked to learn from some dock workers that the ferry out leaves from another port about 2-3 miles away, with a climb up then descent. We had 15 minutes to make it, or wait another few hours for the next ferry. Not a disaster, but would mess up the day. We raced there as fast as possible with a climb on top of it, and it was a sweaty, stressful start to the day, and a sign of things for the wee...

October 1, 2026. Jelsa to Hvar town (Island of Hvar ), Croatia. 30 miles. 2,859’ climbing.  We took a water taxi for the 25 minute crossing from Bol (island of Brac) to Jelsa (island of Hvar). We  learned our captain Arsen was 19 years old and looked 16 (braces does that to somebody). Given his youthful looks, and to me 19 is young, I wondered about our safety.  In the middle of the Adriatic Sea, I started thinking about us capsizing or colliding with another boat and wondering if I’d be able to get my bike shoes off in the water to swim to shore. I sometimes imagine ridiculous scenarios.  Safely  transported, our ride from the port in Jelsa was immediately magnificent as we rode a coastal stretch that ended in Vrboska, a picturesque fishing village. *          *          * Author’s note: We interrupt this Hvar blog to jump to the island of Korcula for an update.  October 2, 2026. Vela Luka to Korcula town (...