The Route https://www.plotaroute.com/route/268470
Today it was all about making choices. I had originally thought three alternative routes: 1) back to the mainroad from Jekabpils to Daugavpils, eastern bank of Daugava river 2) the cycle route along western side of Daugava 3) paved road to Akniste and then on road number P73 to Ilukste. I thought the option number 3 would be optimal, more kilometers, but no gravel. Because rule number one riding in Latvia is to avoid the gravel.
But one more choice emerged on the way: on the crossroads of roads P72 and 74 I got appeal to the road P72. It is the shortest road to Ilukste, but it was marked gravel road. I shoud have taken P74 to get to the P73. But, I checked the opencyclemap.org and it seemed it might actually be paved. That turned my head for the P72. I continued a bit saw workers and asked them if there’s asphalt until Ilukste. A guy said yes and off I went.
So, that’s how you make choices regarding what way to go.
My decision today was a mixture of false optimisim, not believing the obvious and suppressing unpleasant facts.
So, it was gravel. For 45 kilometers. I had some hours for serious thinking of what can I learn from this: why did I make this choice? Should I blame the guy who was maybe joking or didn’t know? Why didn’t I stick to my original plan? Would the cycle route along the Daugava have been nicer with the same effort? Should I turn back? Should I navigate to the P73?
But calculating the options I decided to go on. And so I pushed on, with a thought that every meter is forward, closer to my goal. I cheered myself. So I managed the headwind, awful dust from bypassing traffic, inconevenient gravel. I rode through some villages, had a pause at one. It rained a bit, which was actually good because then it wasn’t so much dust. Actually, the road was rideable most of the time. The last 10km were the worse: most soft and hills. I had to walk by bike three times and the horseflies harrassed me as I coudn’t fide fast enough.
But I did it. I reached the asphalt again. I was so happy. I breathed deep, to leave all the gravel grinding behind.
I strolled through the Ilukste village. I felt appealed by a cheap motel in Svente, some 10km before Daugavpils. I didn’t feel like wanting to the city traffic hassle and a hostel in the city. But before Svente, I wanted to have a refreshing swim in a lake I had spotted on the map. There is no signs to this lovely lake and a swimming place, but maps.me showed the way. At the spot I found a naked couple enjoying the Monday afternoon. As they found some clothing pretty quickly, I figured out it’s ok for me to have a quick naked swim and continue.
Then, I rode last kilometers to Svente and to Rudzupukes. The guy at the reception/bar was impressed about my travels and very kind indeed. So I considered it as a good choice and invested 26€ in a single room. They found me some cold beetroot soup and potatoes and meat for me to eat, along with some beer, so I was happy.
Kristiina Ullgren 