Lost (Bul) to Karnobat (Bul)
I managed to pick up the GPS course today so am comforted in the knowledge that I am always traveling in the right direction.
Today’s route took me over a torturous climb that was so steep keeping my front wheel on the ground was a challenge.
I’m really shattered this evening but my stomach seems to be settling down at last.
It was a late start today after heavy rain during the night which continued on late into the morning. I packed up a wet tent but in this h
God knows where (Bul) to Somewhere further Southeast (Bul)
I really am cycling blind at this point. I’m just following my compass southeast until I either pick up my GPS route or hit the Black Sea.
Bulgaria seems much the same as Southern Romania inasmuch as the people in every village I pass through cease what they are doing and are transfixed on me as I pass through or stop in their village. I rather suspect that cycling tourists are a rarity in these parts to put it mildly
After su
Zimnicea (ROM) to God knows where (Bul)
It was a late start as the ferry crossing was at 11:30am and I rode today at a gentle pace due to my delicate state.
I’m well off my intended course and completely lost. Finding my way around this part of Bulgaria is no easy thing, all the signs are in their own unique script and impossible for me to read or pronounce. All I can really do is keep on a southeast heading until I hit either the Black Sea or Turkey.
This evening has been nothing short of
Izvoru (ROM) to Zimnicea (ROM)
After a nervy night I got up at sunrise and was on the road for 6:00am.
I made my way through “Slobozia”, “Tatarastii” and on down to “Alexandria” and then down the 51 to “Zimnicea”.
When I reached the border I discovered that it was a ferry crossing across the Danube and there are only five sailings a day.
So I decided to made my way back some 7km back to a pension I had passed earlier and make the crossing tomorrow as I was absolutely shattered.
Corbini (ROM) to Izvoru (ROM)
An altogether less inspiring day after the thrills of yesterday, but on the upside it was for the most part all down hill.
I clearly have a bad gastric bug so the easier terrain was most welcome.
I made my way along the same road until I came to the busy city of “Pitesti” whereupon I got totally disorientated and took the wrong road. On realizing I had been traveling in the wrong direction I tried to take the dirt roads to get back on track. Eventually I found
Cartisoara (ROM) to Corbeni (ROM)
What an epic day!
I awoke this morning feeling quite delicate, not sure if it was the home distilled alcohol last night or the fact I've been feeling a little under the weather with a slight tummy bug over the last couple of days but I was still excited about the stage to come.
The climb could best be described as gruelling. I took around four hours to cycle the 30km to the top as the heat took its toll on my weakened body.
I stopped occasionally to
Miercorea Sibiulut (ROM) to Cartisoara (ROM)
A really tough and stressful days cycling as I made my way along the busy 1 and through the city of “Sibiu”. Then it was on to the equally busy and stressful E68 through “Bradu”, “Avrig”, “Porumbacu de jos” and on to the “Transfagarasan Highway”
I found accommodation in the little village of “Cartisoara” where a local family have a home with a small annex that they rent for weary travellers. They invited me to join them in their evening meal where
Abrud (ROM) to Miercurea Sibiului (ROM)
I left "Abrud" and started the climb towards "Zlatna", through “Metes” and on into the thriving town of “Albaiulia” before taking the altogether busier 7 through “Sebes” and on into “Miercurea Sibiului” Where I checked into quite a plush hotel which cost twice as much as the place I stayed at last night but at around £20 I can live with that.
I really thought my number was up today when on the descent into Zlatna a maniac decided to overtake three v
Beius (ROM) to Abrud (ROM)
Today was the toughest stage so far but by far the most spectacular.
I made my way from “Beius down the busy E79 to “Lunca” where I took the 75 and was soon to face my first real mountain climb of the tour. In a mere 20km I climbed 1000m but the descent was through some stunning countryside as I followed the course of the river through the ski resort of “Vartop” and some lovely villages such as “Izlaz”, “Arieseni”, “Raul Valcea” “Ursoaia”, “Vadu Motilor”, the thriv
Sarkad (H) to Beius (ROM)
Today was the hottest day yet at 38c. With no cloud cover, covering up was the order of the day. I wore the desert scarf which has turned out to be an inspired purchase.
I made my way across the border and into the busy town of “Salonta” and then through “Tulca”, “Tinca”, “Soimi” and on to the busy town of “Beius” where on spotting a pension and the heat sapping my strength I decided to call it a day.
The woman who ran the establishment asked where I’d cycled from
Biharnagybajom (H) to Sarkad (H)
Another frustrating day, inasmuch as I made my way to the road on my GPS route only to find that it was also closed to bicycles. There was nothing for it but to retrace my steps some 16km in the stifling heat that was now up to 35c in search of another route.
Through the back roads and cratered lanes I made my way through “Zsaka”, “Furta”, “Komadi”, “Zsadany” and on to “Sarkad”
I must admit to feeling somewhat apprehensive about entering Romania after hearin
Tiszasuly (H) to Biharnagybajom (H)
Another rain free day but boy was it hot! It was 32c out on the road and keeping hydrated was the order of the day, it is now quite noticeable how much more fluid I am taking on board.
I followed my GPS course through “Kunhegyes”and on to “Karcag”, where I hit the E60 motorway and couldn’t go any further by bike, so I followed my compass in the hope of picking up a road taking a favourable direction. After spending the late afternoon and evening totally lo
Galgaguta (H) to Tiszasuly (H)
A rain free day! Only my second one so far but it felt so good to be out of the rain gear and feel the sun on my back.
I left "Galgaguta" and made my way through “Acsa”, “Erdokurt”, “Kallo”, “Versea”, “Hatvan”, “Jaszbereny” and on to “Tiszasuly”
The minor roads here in Hungary are appalling, they actually look like they have been bombed at times. I just hope my bike holds out.
It feels strange navigating with my GPS alone, as without maps I’m not quite sure w
Demandice (SL) to Galgaguta (H)
Gone was the heavy rain of yesterday, just showers and a light constant drizzle.
Because of the rain this morning and the quiet secluded spot I found to camp in, I didn't set off until 11:00am.
I really struggled today in the damp, warm and muggy conditions. I followed the GPS route but was never really sure where I was but it was uplifting to cross the border into Hungary
Crossing into Hungary
Spacince (SL) to Demandice (SL)
I awoke at dawn after a dry night to see storm clouds gathering, so I packed up sharpish and just in time as the rain started no sooner than I hit the road. I set off happy in the knowledge that my tent and equipment were packed away dry.
This was probably the least attractive stage so far as I stuck to the route on my GPS. The course shadowed the motorway and passed through a few industrial towns.
The rain today had to be seen to be believed! As I cycled up
Staatz (Aus) to Spacince (SL)
A day of contrasts. The first half of the day saw dark skies and rain, then later in the afternoon it brightened up and the rain cleared, there were even glimpses of blue sky, something I hadn't seen in a while.
An early start saw me pass through “Poysdorf”, “Wetzeldorf”, “Altlichtenwarth” and “Hohenau an der March” before crossing the border and into Slovakia. Once into Slovakia I made my way through “Moravsky Svaty Jan”, “Zavod”, “Tomkey”, “Laksarska Nova Ves”
Kunzac (CZ) to Staats (Aus)
Fed, dry and rested I headed out into the rain under dark foreboding skies.
I cycled hard all day stopping only once for twenty minutes under a children’s play shelter to cook some hot food.
Over every hill I hoped to see clear skies but twas never to be.
I made my way through “Decice”, and “Jemince”. Then stayed on the 408 all the way to “Hevlin” before crossing the border into Austria and into the border town of “Laa an der Thaya”.
I then cycled into “Staatz”
Becice (CZ) to Kunzak (CZ)
I was greatly relieved that my tent survived the storm last night and that a tree hadn't come down on me but I was soaked during the night. The rain was still coming down heavy when I awoke and no sign of it letting up. I knew I had to go out in it as I was out of food and with tomorrow being Sunday I had to stock up today.
There was nothing for it, I had to move on. I tried to care for my feet as best I could. There were large chunks of dead white flesh coming off
Lnare (CZ) to Becice (CZ)
Today I travelled along the quieter roads and national cycle routes (although they just follow the quieter roads with off road sections)
I made my way through “Blatna”, “Skvoretice”, “Lom”, “Mirotice”, “Cerhonice”, “Ostrovec”, “Varvazov”, “Zvikovske Podhradi”. “Oslov”, “Vlastec”, Then onto the 138 through “Zahori”, “Albrechtice nad Vltavou”. Then onto the 159 through “Neznasov and onto the surprisingly large “Tyn nad Vitavou” before making my way onto the 147 to “Be
Stribro (CZ) to Lnare (CZ)
Maybe Freud was right "The Irish are beyond psychoanalysis"
But the question remains “Why do I do this to myself?” Perhaps it’s my guilty past and some messed up belief that the only path to redemption is purification through pain. My catholic upbringing at the hands of Jesuit priests and Christian brothers has a lot to answer for!
Whatever here I am again living in my self-imposed hell!
These are dark days and these are the times that will test me. I have to sta
Hohenberg (D) to Stribro (CZ)
Sitting in my tent with the rain pelting the roof, this the ninth day of my tour and it has rained on eight of them!
I crossed the border this morning and made my way into "Cheb" and then through "Lazne Kynzvart" then onto the "230" at "Plana" to "Stribro" where I made camp in the woods.
I must admit I'm exhausted and my spirits are low. I am genuinely concerned that I have bitten off more than I can chew.
I have never suffered so much so early into a tour bef
Bad Lobenstien (D) to Hohenberg (D)
The heavy rain that had started as I was erecting my tent last night had continued unabated throughout the night and well beyond the morning. Alas my tent had flooded during the night and I and everything in it was soaked.
I managed to air it out during a dry patch in the afternoon and it is now damp rather than wet.
Today was cold, bitterly cold! I struggled to use my hands and shivered uncontrollably in the cold of the early day.
Again I was getting bo
Ilmenau (D) to Bad Lobenstien (D)
The torrential rain forecast didn't materialise but it was overcast and showers all day with the showers getting heavier and more prolonged later into the day.
Today was tough going on the bicycle paths, the recent rains had left them deep mud in parts and in no way suitable for a loaded touring bike, they were really only mountain bike paths at the best of times. After getting stuck one too many times and having to push my bike through ankle deep mud. I dec
Walterhausen (D) to Ilmenau (D)
It rained hard during the night and into the morning. It was 11:30am before I packed up a soaking wet tent and braved the weather. After a few hours of cycling through the cold storm shivering and miserable, I happened upon a small village just south of Ilmenau and spied a pension. With no chance of getting my tent dry today I saw this as the ideal opportunity to get everything dry, wash my dirty clothes and charge all my appliances. As I write this my tent is
Kassel (D) to Walterhausen (D)
A beautiful day with no rain! I even had the chance to dry out some of my equipment including my tent and sleeping bag.
I started off on route but was soon forced to take the cycle path route that passed through all the charming villages. Unfortunately I went somewhat off course and spent a large part of the day lost (something I would do in no small measure as the tour progressed).
I eventually made my way to "Sontra" before getting back to "Eisnach" and then