14/11/2012 - Oslo to Israel. Day 57

Distance cycled: km from to
Average speed: km/h
Moving time:
Total distance: km
Border X'ings:
Money spent: €90 - too much.

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Thinking that Podgorica was the place for me to sort out my bicycle with little or no difficulty was silly. It took me almost all day to find a bike shop that had the facility's to sort it all out. Eventually after cycling perhaps 20km around the city and going into half a dozen bike shops I was sent to the outskirts of this capital to a bike repair man who went through a lot of trouble to sort my bike out. He and his workmate had to dismantle my wheel, remove the hub and realign it to a new rim. This took a few hours and on completion he also gave my bike a quick tune up. It's now running like clockwork and this repair actually didn't cost me too much, it was only when I returned to another bike shop where I had left all my belongings I spent good money on a new tire for my front wheel; this was necessary because it seemed that the cheap tire that I had installed way back when cycling Canada would pick up and embed many shards of glass that would, after a while, puncture the tube.
Having all this shit sorted out the sun was going down and I needed a place to stay so I opted for a hostel in the city.
The hostel owner, Boška, was more than helpful, he directed me to a local restaurant a walk aways where I had such an amazing meal. Popeci with salad and a locally brewed beer; the popeci was amazing, rolled battered, then deep fried pork with melted cheese and fries, I would have to say that it was the best meal I have had in a restaurant since arriving in Europe.
I really liked the city, wandering the streets where people were dressed in their supporting football team outfits because the stadium literally next door to the hostel was hosting the qualifying match to the World Cup.
Friendly, helpful and English speaking people inhabited the city and Boška especially was a fantastic and fun to be around peer of the hostel.

Where i camped last night, with a great view over the lake.

FINAALY, my bicycle is getting fixed and tuned up!

Easily the best food i have had since arriving in Europe. Cheap too