Ruse – Cernavoda (Accident)

For 17.9.2020, I have planned a long day’s route of around 140 km from Calaresi to Hirsova. Since I’m not currently travelling with a tent, I spend the nights in hotels, which depending the availability sometimes results in rather short or slightly long routes.
The day started as always when I am „on tour“.
After breakfast, first 40-50 minutes of morning gym with lots of stretching exercises, black roll, etc.
I’m always happy when that’s done, I much prefer cycling! Nevertheless, the exercises are extremely important for the subsequent straining of the joints and are a so-called “must do it” for me.
Then decide on the basis of the SRF Meteo App which clothing makes sense. If necessary, apply sunscreen and prepare drinks.
Finally, it’s time to pack. Put each item exactly where it belongs in the respective pack sack. Order creates safety.
If possible, the two Ortlieb bike bags should have the same total weight so that the balance is right. Now slowly but surely set off.

I made good progress until my lunch break, felt fine and motivated to cycle the remaining stretch along the Danube over the next few days. Alternatively, you could take a shortcut to Constanta via the Danube – Black Sea – Canal. If you follow this artificial waterway, which connects the Danube and the Black Sea, you would save a good 300 km. But then I wouldn’t have seen anything of the Danube delta and wouldn’t have accompanied the „natural“ Danube to the end.  Moreover, the Danube cycle path leads via Tulcea.

I had read that there are supposedly many street dogs in Romania, but I obviously underestimated it somewhat. I didn’t think too much about it. So far, I have always escaped the attacking dogs by driving away as fast as possible. And such dogs can appear anywhere in the world.

Suddenly, out of the blue, I heard a wild barking of dogs from behind. Driving, I hastily turned around and saw a whole pack coming towards me. My pulse shot up and my legs became shaky. I became panic-stricken because the dogs were coming from my left and right and were already at my height. I quickened my pace again to the maximum. This time, however, I could not fend off the dog attack and fell off the bike onto the hard concrete… When I came to again, the dogs had disappeared and a crowd of people had gathered around me. Shortly afterwards, the police arrived on the scene. The first thing I had to do was blow into a tube…After a while, the ambulance arrived and I was transported to the hospital. There I had to blow into a tube again…
After the first examinations, I was transferred to a bigger hospital, where they handed me the tube again. This time, however, I successfully refused. Finally, I was told that in Romania an alcohol test is standard for every accident.
A broken collarbone, a concussion, several bruised ribs and deep abrasions all over my body finally led to the termination of the tour. Thanks to the great commitment of my sons and the Mobi 24 team, I was quickly repatriated, but before I set off on my journey, I had to undergo a Covid test. The bike was still at the police station, so it also needed to be transported to the hospital.
The transfer by ambulance from Slobozia to Constanta was brutally painful. The driver drove at full speed over the many bumps, as if at a rally… When I finally arrived at the airport, the Rega crew welcomed me and I already felt half at home.
In addition to the pilot and co-pilot, a doctor and a flight attendant were on board and there for me. When the plane landed in Zurich, it went into its own hangar. The ambulance was waiting there and I was taken seamlessly with my bike to the Linde Clinic in Biel. I found the repatriation a very impressive experience. As an accident victim, I was also able to gather many positive experiences. My family, the neighbourhood, my boss and many other people important to me were by my side when I needed them.
Since the orthopaedic surgeon and the surgical team successfully patched up my collarbone and the physio subsequently made it mobile, I can continue the route again next year. I am very very grateful for that.