Hungary

2014-06-13: I left the campsite in Bratislava shortly after 8:00 and headed for the Eurovelo 6 cycle route about 7km's away. After an hour, due to the appaling condition of the roads, I was on it and heading towards Hungary. Upon entering Hungary, I am not too sure where I crossed the border post as it was not clearly marked, I realised I needed Hungarian currency. I stopped off at Mosonmagyarovar to get some cash and some food. Outside the town, I stopped by a monument of a well to have breakfast. I was making good time and pretended to be signing to a full house at Carnegie Hall; going mad, no, just having a good time. I stopped before Gyor to have a Pepsi and an ice-cream. There were a bunch of men sitting there having a lunchtime drink. We exchanged pleasantries and I continued on my way. Just outside Gyor, I heard this voice behind me asking me where I was going. Fran was also going to Istanbul so we rode into Gyor together where we bumped into Fergus and his partner, also going to Istanbul! They decided to stay in Gyor, while Fran and I pushed on! We lost the route and a friendly local helped us to find it again. He took us past the enormous new Audi plant and rode with us for about 20km's. We camped for the night outside Almasfuzito. A very good day cycling in great weather; not bad for Friday the 13th! Pedalling Pete from Hungary.
Kilometers travelled: 159.33; Total kilometers travelled: 3619; Meters climbed: 449

2014-06-14: We hit the road very early in cool, overcast conditions. After about 25km's, we stopped on the side of the road to have breakfast. While sitting on the pavement, we received stares from the motorists as they drove past. The journey into Budapest went very well, baring an odd detour here and there because of roadworks. It got hot, with a gentle tailwind to assist us. We arrived in Budapest before noon and headed for the Danube and had some lunch. I needed to find a campsite and went into the old part of Buda to find an information centre. They were very helpful. While saying our goodbyes to each other, a cyclists asked us where we were headed. He told us that he was a journalist and had cycled around the world. After about 30 minutes, I went to find the campsite and Fran went off to find the bicycle shop that was recommended to her by the cyclist. Good luck for the rest of your travels and it was enjoyable riding with you. Tomorrow, I will have a look at the sights of Budapest. Pedaling Pete from near the Danube in Budapest.
Kilometers travelled: 90.34; Total kilometers travelled: 3709; Meters climbed: 406

2014-06-15: I had a good night despite all the noise from the surrounding area and the traffic. I decided to visit the city park, St Margarets island and the Buda Castle area. The ride to the park was through a beautiful area; the buildings are exsquisite! However, the park was overrun by athletes and their supporters as a number of road races were taking place. I then went to St Margarets island and trundled around it for a while. Her grave is in the ruins of the convent. There are some beautiful water features on the island. I then proceeded to the Buda Castle area and tried to cycle to the top of the hill; disappointingly, every path I took ended in steps. I had to go through this long tunnel of about 100 meters that went under the castle to get there. I then wandered through the old town of Pest and had an ice cream. A very pleasant and interesting day. I was told that Budapest is the most beautiful city in the world. It certainly has its charm. How does it compare to my favourite city so far, Vienna? In my opinion, Vienna has the opulence and extravagance; Budapest has the raw charm. They are both fantastically beautiful cities, but in different ways.
Kilometers travelled: 30.33; Total kilometers travelled: 3739; Meters climbed: 175

2014-06-16: Last night, I tried poached eggs again; this time with success! This morning, I left the Camping Hellar campsite just after 7am and crossed over the river only to find that the route crossed back over on the bridge I had just ridden on - they say this is a temporary change in route. While looking for the route, I turned a corner to find a cyclist coming the other way on my side of the cycle path. We hit one another and he just rode straight off - this time a number of people heard me swear at him! The temporary route markings were appalling and I asked a cyclist if he knew the route - he mentioned that it was on the other side of the river and he would show me the way. I then followed the route alongside the river until it crossed over a bridge. As it was heading away from the river, with no route markings, I headed back to the river and followed a path running next to the river. I was getting a bit peckish so stopped alongside a building where there was some shade and had something to eat. As I was nearly finishing, I noticed a couple of headlights in the distance and they seemed to be approaching rather slowly. I packed up and was about to leave when the two motorcyclists pulled up alongside the building. They were dressed in dark blue police uniforms and were both armed. The lead guy greeted me and I greeted him back in English. He then mentioned one word: trouble! Picnicing Pete became Phrantically Pedalling Pete in a pico second and I was back on my bike while still taking a bite out of my apple! As soon as I could, I left the path and headed away from the river; never mind that the road I chose was rutted and in some places thick, loose sand, I didnt stop pedalling until I was in a town. As I didnt know where the cycle route was, I headed south and saw some traffic police. I asked them about the route and they either didnt know or didnt quite understand me. However, they pointed me in the direction of Bucharest. At the next town, the information office gave me a map of Hungary. I soon found the cycle route and followed it to a town called Dunafoldvar. On the way, I met a French cyclist travelling the other way and we exchanged some comments about the route. An interesting point is the number of cherry trees growing on the side of the road. Pedalling Pete from alongside the Danube after an interesting day.
Kilometers travelled: 110.1; Total kilometers travelled: 3850; Meters climbed: 243

2014-06-17: I tried to make some supper last night, but was ferousiously attacked by the mosquitos, so gave up and had what I had bought for this mornings breakfast. It rained most of the night and was still drizzling this morning. I packed up in the rain and left the campsite at about 8am. I went into town to buy some more breakfast and then set off on the west side of the river. Roger, a cyclist from Cambridge, suggested that this is the safer option. After about an hour and a half, I stopped to have something to eat. To my horror, the lid of the yoghurt tub had broken and the contents were spilt all in my pannier. I cleaned up what I could. I noticed something with some of the houses that I had not seen before; some of the downpipes extended out away from the houses. The road led me onto a major road and I decided to cross the river; there was a ferry about a km ahead; I had to wait about an hour for it. The road on the otherside was pleasant enough, although it also led me onto a busy road. In Batja, I stopped to take a photo of a frame of chillis hanging on the side of the road. The next moment, a woman is beside me; we have a conversation and she tells me how she threads each chilli. I stopped at Baja and found the campsite situated on a branch of the river. A very good day for cycling as it cleared up, but remained overcast for most of the day. Pedalling Pete from the Hungarain Danube.
Kilometers travelled: 94.64; Total kilometers travelled: 3944; Meters climbed: 256

2014-06-18: Today was supposed to be a special day. I did 123 km's, but ended up 30 meters away from where I started this morning. I left the campsite and stopped off in town to buy some elastic. I then got onto the velo6 route and made good time. The surface of some of the route was newly laid and it was a pleasure to ride on. At Ujmohacs, I spent my last Hungarian currency and headed for the border. Shortly afterwards, I clocked up 4000km's. I spoke to a French cyclist riding the other way and we exchanged information about the route. I arrived at the border post and went through the Hungarian side and stopped at the Serbian side. They wouldn't let me through - I didn't have a Serbian visa. I protested that I was told that I could get through on a Schengen visa; no, they said, not into Serbia! I turned around and started making my way to the Hungarian/Romanian border post at Mako. A little setback in the big scheme of things! Just after Gara, I noticed that my groundsheet was missing! I could only have left it back at the campsite. I took a chance and speed back to the campsite and looked around - it was not there! I went and checked in and asked at reception if it had been handed in. Ofcourse not, I was told. Disappointed, I resigned myself to buying a replacement. I went to get a pitch and found 3 other cyclists, all French, already there. One cyclist has a Surly Long Haul Trucker. I looked around and noticed that my groungsheet was hanging from a tree; what a fantastic end to a mixed, eventful day.
Kilometers travelled: 123.0; Total kilometers travelled: 4067; Meters climbed: 312

2014-06-19: I had a good night and woke up at a reasonable time. I was packed and on the road just before 9am. I took the same road out of Baja as I came in yesterday afternoon, looking for the turnoff to Csavoly, but didnt see it. I ended up in Gara and went past my turn around point from yesterday. I had breakfast on the side of the road. It was getting hot and there was a steady headwind. At Bacsalmas, I saw some workers eating their lunch under a tree and thought that was a great idea. I stopped a couple hundred meters further on and did the same thing. I was getting tired. When I started again, I was feeling lethargic and a bit nafi! I stopped on the side of the road before Csikeria and put my groundsheet down under some trees next to the road, lay down and had a nap. The cars were zooming by about 2 meters away from my head! When I awoke, I felt a bit better and pushed on. The break and nap helped a bit; at Csikeria, I stopped and bought a coke and a chocolate. I got onto the 55 road with a bit of a tailwind and then I was feeling better. In Morahalom, I asked at a police station for directions to a campsite. I am in a garden with a bit of a direlect house on the property, but the facilities are reasonable. Just hope the house isnt haunted. Today was not a good day emotionally and I was feeling a bit rundown. Again, another fairly long day in the saddle, but getting closer to the Romanian border. Pedalling Pete from near the Hungarian/Serbian border.
Kilometers travelled: 110.4; Total kilometers travelled: 4178; Meters climbed: 151

2014-06-20: In the middle of the night, I was woken up by lights coming on in the house and someone walking around. I poked my head out the tent and saw it was the owner of the place. I went back to sleep knowing that I would not be requiring the services of the ghost busters. I woke up this morning just after seven with the wind blowing and a cloudy sky. I packed up camp, had a breakfast of cucumber and salami sandwiches and was on the road just after 9. Fortunately, the wind was a crosswind blowing in roughly the correct direction. At Domaszek, I stopped and bought some food for lunch. I reached Szeged in good time and was assisted through the town by a friendly gent. Just outside Deszk, I stopped on the side of the road and had some lunch. On the approach to Mako, I saw a campsite sign and thought, yes, Ive seen these before and have not been ablr to find the campsite. However, this time was different as the campsite appeared on que. I purposefully have had a short day as I dont know where there are campsites in Romania and didnt want to spend hours looking for the next campsite. As you can gather, I am rather tired and need to recouperate a bit. Pedalling Pete from the near Hungarian, Romania and Serbian border area.
Kilometers travelled: 59.09; Total kilometers travelled: 4237; Meters climbed: 127