Hooray Readers! Working backstage on the blog today, decided to share anyway to show that I'm as normal as you.

^{Photo by Miguel Carraça on Unsplash}

Hey Readers, today I'm slow with the insane Travel Stories blog, mostly because I'm working backstage trying to align all the projects I'm participating in, being @CycleFeed the most demanding one.

Speaking of which, if you don't know, Cycle Feed is a curation project run by me, @robmolecule and @twowheeledmonkey with the intention to warn people to the important role the bicycle has in the lives of people all around the world - it's a clean method of transportation, great exercise and can bring awesome people together. In Cycle Feed we are reading and curating each day tons of posts by fellow cyclists, that itself demands attention and care to evaluate quality, so we can give our quite generous upvote.

On top of that I'm in the middle of my demission process, which will give me extra time as soon as it's done. Once the papers are signed I'll be full on Steemit. Be ready because I'll release insane stories like a machine gun \o\.

Now the funny thing...

Because I'm leaving my job and working online, most of my friends think I have the dream life, which is partially true. I cannot complain - writing, studying photography, riding my bicycle without any particular place to go, planning big bicycle tours, sharing beautiful pictures - it all sounds fantastic. But they do not see the backstage.

Worrying because money is running out; not knowing what will happen in the future; not having money for things; making contacts; thinking; building projets; helping people and in the middle of all the online duties find time to do the real life duties. Remember folks, seeing a pretty picture that I posted is just the tip of a huge iceberg of incredible efforts to get there. By the way, I'm not even close to be successful.

Why do I encourage people to come to Steemit then, if it's so demanding? Because you'll make amazing friends along the way. Isn't it enough? All the rest will be a great bonus.

That being said...

I took some time to wash my bicycle in preparation for some trips I want to do on the following days.

If you are a bicycle traveller or plan to become one, take into account that bicycle maintenance is one of the most important things you'll have to work on. A clean and well maintained bike will last longer and it will be easier to spot if something needs replacement. So, clean and inspect your chain once a week, oil it if necessary; also inspect the hubs, headset and wheel locks to check for any sign of loose parts.

I'm preparing a video showing the cheapest way to clean a bike after a trail, but for now I'll have to leave you with pictures of how my cike was after some days of trails.

^{Mud everywhere!}

^{Don't leave this mess on your frame.}

^{A clean Derailleur grants precise gears.}

^{Brakes are sefety! Take good care of them.}

The only tools for cleaning were:

Neutral dish soap;
Dish sponge;
Water;
Two tooth brushes to clean the chain.

Remember to use as little water as possible, the Planet Earth thanks!

Now, if you really want to know how clean and oil a bicycle, manifest your interest on the comments and I'll do a full post focused on bike cleaning. I think it'll be useful.

To end the day...

I baked bread, YES! Nothing beats a homemade bread, my recipe is the simplest you'll find, it just requires time for the dough to rest. Apart from that it's just flour, water, yeast and salt. Check that out!

Photo Series #35: Food Photography | Simple Homemade Bread + Recipe

The above is an old post, so don't bother wasting your vote on that!

^{Homemade Bread - The best of all time!}

As you can see the simplest of the days can be awesome if you remain positive, that's the message for today. Keeping your enthusiasm and motivation on simple tasks like baking bread or washing a bike is what will help you to achieve biggest goals - you need to value every single activity, not only the greatest deeds.

Would you like to know how to clean and oil your bicycle? Leave a comment down below, let's see hot it goes.

If you liked this post, please, consider leaving your upvote for a hot coffee.

~Love ya all,

Disclaimer: The author of this post is a convict broke backpacker, who has travelled more than 10.000 km hitchhiking. Following him may cause severe problems of wanderlust and inquietud. You've been warned.