#7: [12-Nov-16]

#5: [28-Jul-14]

#4: [12-Oct-11]

#3: [15-Apr-08]

#2: [20-Sep-07]

#1: [31-Mar-02]

14-Oct-2016 -- This is the second out of three reports reaching confluence points on the island of Sardinia. The story continues from 39°N 9°E.

The first half of my route northwards was flat and with tail winds I was able to cycle 35 km/h for quite a while. But as I entered the inner mountain ranges of Sardinia, my progress slowed down significantly. In addition, I had a flat tyre in the village Lunamatrona. To my negative surprise, I encountered the reason for my flat tyre: the tyre cover was absolutely worn out such that I was already riding on the tube at some spots. Since I had no chance to get a new tyre in the mountain region, I fixed the tube and continued.

I cycled through the deep valley between Ruinas and Samugheo. Then I continued ascending on the road towards Ortueri. Less than 1 km before entering town, a gravel track leads down to the confluence point which is 2 km away from the road. But when I had just entered the gravel, my rear tube exploded with a loud bang. This happened due to the worn out tyre. Since it was already time of sunset, I decided to visit the confluence first and repair the tyre later in the fading daylight. So I ran those 2 km along the track and reached the confluence which is located 40 m from the track. There is a piscine used for irrigation. I passed the piscine, crossed a stream and a strip of thorny blackberries.

I found the confluence on a piece of open flat bushland with a mossy groundcover.

After the visit, I ran back to my bike, repaired the tube and cycled towards the town Ortueri. But even before entering the town, I had another flat tyre. Now it was obvious that I was not able to continue cycling without obtaining a new tyre. Unfortunately, there was no bicycle shop or any other shop in town that would sell bicycle tyres. I checked in the only hotel of Ortueri and first enjoyed a great pizza. It would be much easier to solve my problem with a full stomach.

CP Visit Details:

• Distance to a road: 2 km
• Distance to a track: 40 m
• Distance of bicycle parking: 2 km
• Time to reach the CP from the road: 15 minutes
• Time at the CP: 5:53 PM
• Measured height: 381 m
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 0 m
• Position accuracy: 3 m
• Topography: generally mountainous but the direct location is in the valley flats
• Vegetation: scattered trees, bushes, moss.
• Weather: mostly cloudy, 16° C (felt temperature)
• Given Name: The Worn Tyre Confluence

The story finishes at 41°N 9°E.