A tour of Eurasia

Budapesti days.: Your first nappy. Congratulations

Saturday April 24, 2010, 76 km (47 miles) – Total so far: 1,954 km (1,214 miles)

To spend almost 2 weeks in the 1 place 1 would think a girl was involved. Alas no, not here. Meeting some expats you become convinced to live here. So.. 4 days was spent ‘on trial’ at a nursery changing nappies and another day spent at another hostel for a job from May, neither of which you will probably take.

Budapesti to Harta.: First camping day

Sunday April 25, 2010, 120 km (75 miles) – Total so far: 2,074 km (1,289 miles)

Finally after almost 2 weeks the escape from Budapest is made. Hurray. And none too soon. The plan is to ride to Pecs in 2 days where another short hiatus ensues. The bike path follows the Danube river down. Sometimes on the left, sometimes the right, and sometimes on the island in the middle.

Being a beautiful Sunday day there are a few local cyclists about. But none have anywhere near as much luggage as you. The change in weather also marks a change in attire. Shorts and t-shirt it is. The path surface is a real mixture of dirt trails, grass, and road.

100 km down the road you arrive at Solt. That’s enough for 1 day. But there are no hotels about so it is on the road once more. Not far up the road, Harta has, apparently 3 pensions. 1 is closed and the other 2 cannot be located.

There is also meant to be a campsite on the Danube. Although no official campsite is found you are welcome to pitch the tent in front of the restaurant. And as the setting sun completes the day pork chops completes yours.

Harta to Pecs.: Meet the gypsies

Monday April 26, 2010, 160 km (99 miles) – Total so far: 2,234 km (1,388 miles)

After being overcharged for last night’s meal it is decided not to give these people any more of your business. Though this does entail not eating until lunch time some hours later. The bike trail has you riding on a sandy track in a head wind. This is not good.

You leave in good time but the promise of a big climb and a long day means things like a sandy track are bad news. Why would anybody place a bike route along a sandy track? But you persevere. There is a ferry crossing which would knock some 10 km off the ride but can you trust it? No. So the bridge it is.

And onto route 55. With heavy traffic and no shoulder these 15 km are not so nice. Still better Hungarian drivers than murderous Taiwanese. Turning south on the 56 traffic doesn’t really lighten up but now you also have a head wind to contend with. When you eventually get on the 57 the wind changes into a tail however bicycles are not allowed. No problem. There is a separate bike path. Excellent. For about 2 km anyway. Then. Nothing.

So it is back on the road it is despite the legality of it all. Very soon the freeway appears but not only does the traffic not lighten up but it is also still illegal for you to ride on it. So ride on. At times a dirt track runs parallel to the road, which is fine for a little while, but mostly the road is the only option.

And hello Pecs. Hello couch surfing and a bunch of new friends. It looks like a few days in this cultural capital of Europe. There is a seminar of sorts to host on Wednesday and hopefully a train ride back to Budapesti for a job interview. Hopefully. Wait and see. Wait and see.

Pecs to Orija: Hello Croatia

Tuesday April 27, 2010, 113 km (70 miles) – Total so far: 2,347 km (1,458 miles)

Pecs sure was interesting. Through couch surfing you stumbled upon a huge network of friends to waste away the days. There’s festival stuff happening on the weekend so you are compelled to stay and see that. Which is interesting and besides, you really don’t need to be anywhere else. Also you kinda meet a girl so it would be nice to spend some time with her.

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