Jürgen and the blown tyre

In the days when the roads of Iceland were still wild and the wind ruled the land, there rode a vv man named Jürgen, a fearless motorcyclist who trusted his iron steed more than most men trusted their horses.

He had crossed black deserts, climbed lonely mountain passes, and faced winds that could throw a grown man into a river. Yet even Jürgen did not know what fate had prepared for him that day.

Far into the Icelandic outback, where there was neither house nor tree nor soul to be seen, came the sound every motorcyclist fears:

BANG!

Jürgen's front tyre had blown.

He stopped and looked upon the wounded wheel. Before him stretched the empty road. Behind him stretched another empty road.

No village.
No mechanic.
No rescue.

Only Iceland.

The nearest place of safety lay 100 kilometers away.

So Jürgen mounted his wounded steed.

He knew he could not ride fast. The motorcycle shuddered beneath him, and every stone in the road seemed determined to end his journey. Yet he pressed onward, keeping his speed below 50 kilometers per hour.

Hour after hour he rode.

The wind howled around his helmet. The gravel rattled beneath his tires. Mountains watched from the horizon like ancient giants, and the great Icelandic wilderness seemed to whisper:

Turn back, Jürgen .

But Jürgen answered:

"I have no intention of walking."

For eight long hours, he rode that broken machine through the outback.

At last, after 100 kilometers of misery, courage, stubbornness, and perhaps questionable judgment, Jürgen reached civilization.

The Icelanders who saw him arrive could hardly believe their eyes.

They say that even today, when the northern wind blows across the highlands, old men gather beside their fires and tell the tale:

"There once was a motorcyclist named Jørgen who blew his front tyre in the middle of nowhere—and still rode 100 kilometers home."

And the younger riders always ask the same question:

"Was he brave?"

The old men nod.

"Brave, yes."

"Was he skilled?"

Another nod.

"Certainly."

Then they lower their voices and add:

"But mostly… he was completely determined not to walk."Read more