Cycling – Page 21 – Travelling reflections

OE Day 22 Lakitelek to Gyula 120km

The maps of routes don’t show wind. Today was a good strong crosswind as in slightly not a head wind. Luckily there was no tree cover so we were able to enjoy it for the majority of the ride.

A little cooler, as in you use a lower temperature in fan ovens. The poor ground looked parched. You can imagine how dust bowls start.

We were mainly on cycle paths along the side of the roads. When on the roads and at junctions the drivers are incredibly polite and caring. We’re told that changes tomorrow in Romania.

The few places we pass through looked like working rural towns on a Sunday morning before church. Even when the shop didn’t sell coffee the assistant came out to point out where it can be found. Pointing and smiling is a good universal language.

Hungary is famous (I read) for it spa towns. A few we go through have that holiday place feeling. The lowering water table will be a problem.

The long climb up starts gently tomorrow.

Cycling, Hungary, Orient Express

D21 Budapest to Lakitelek 124 km

We leave civilised Budapest and the Danube (for now) and head acrossthe Hungarian Plain. It covers 56% of the land mass of Hungary.

The National sport of Hungary is water polo. How do these things arise? We didn’t see much water today. Just parched landscapes dotted with the remains of a few dessicated cyclists.

The villages are smaller. Friendly though as people enquire in broken English (which is better than non existent Hungarian) what we are doing. I was thinking the same about what are TESCOs doing here?

Our crew do their usual excellent and quiet background work. One goes ahead to mark any detours. Ryan’s turn today: he’s the mechanic too from San Diego. Sam from Quebec backmarked. Balasz was on lunch duty: Gergo was driving the luggage van. The latter two are from Hungary. They rotate these duties around. Balasz organises all the evening meals where they are provided, and buys all the lunch food. Ryan has a 1hr “mechanic shop” every day for fixing things you can’t do yourself or advice. Gergo is in overall charge, doing the daily briefing.

One more day in Hungary. A plains day too.

Cycling, Hungary, Orient Express, Slovakia

OE Day 20 Kormarno to Budapest 125k

Even although today is mainly downhill it felt a wee bit tough. Just a combination of bumper Hungarian tracks criss crossing the road, hot and hotter, and busier traffic.

Over the bridge this morning and into Hungary. Its illegal to ride on the road if a cycle is adjacent. Should have that back home. A constant theme which continues from the start is litter free and well maintained (glass free) paths. Stopping to get our forints reinforces the sense, with the script, of being in a new land. Luckily we negotiate ice-cream. Tesco x2 for the first time since Paris. Lidl of course.

The suburbs of Budapest are a pleasant surprise. The parks are full of people having fun. Lots to explore tomorrow on the rest day.

Cycling, Orient Express, Slovakia

OE Day 19 Bratislava to Komarno 110km

Our route today was mainly on the flood embankment on the North Slovakia side. The South side is Hungary. So flat, no shade and hot: kept us focused on the next coffee stop. None until near the end.

It’s strange now your can’t understand the signs. Could be back in Wales with a few added squiggles. I thought that when I saw a sign saying “Botel”. Ah I understand mutations. The reality of a boat hotel came as a wee blow. Ah well.

The hotel we’re in has two names, one Slovakian the other Hungarian. As a place on a key river crossing and the confluence of the Vah and Danube, it seems to have been flattened and rebuilt in an endless cycle. The result is a mishmash friendly with it.

Tomorrow Hungary, Farewell Euro, hello Budapest.

Austria, Cycling, Orient Express, Slovakia

OE Day 18 Vienna to Brastislava 72km

A new country Slovakia at the end of today’s short ride. Vienna was relatively easy to get out of apart from the traffic lights where you aged as you waited. Soon into open country.

And visiting a summer palace. Those poor royals needed to escape the pressures of their town life.

Buildings start to change now in this border region. Single story in the main. Border crossing is as it should be (easy). And then a new language.

Bratislava is the only capital that borders on two countries, Austria and Hungary. It has a long avenue of display boards celebrating Eliz 11 70 anniversary. She made an impact in 2008!