20 to Klaipeda

Route: 103 kilometers, cumulatively: 1,760 kilometers | Elevation: 250, cumulative elevation 6,430 meters, distance from home: 1,308 kilometers (as the crow flies)

One of the reasons I wanted to take a trip through the Baltics was a journey to Lithuania and Latvia with the Seeklub Sursee. Especially the cycling tours we did back in 2015 left me with good memories. Today, I had the chance to repeat the most beautiful of those routes.

However, I first had to tackle the first 50 kilometers of the journey, most of which was on the national road. Despite it being a Monday, the traffic was manageable, and I made good progress despite the brisk wind.

Before I could leave this national road, I had to cross the border into Lithuania. Again, there was no control or other obstacles. Instead, there was a nice swing bench where I could sit comfortably and eat during my lunch break. I had pasta again that I had prepared in the hotel with boiling water.

After that, there were only a few kilometers left until my exit. Immediately, I was greeted by a different world. There was also a short path that was so sandy that I preferred to push the bike. I was surprised by the many new constructions that looked like vacation homes. And there were hardly any people around, probably because the holiday season hasn’t started yet and the temperatures are still too low. This holiday resort named Šventoji, which is part of the municipality of Palanga, has only about 900 residents despite its size, yet it can accommodate several thousand tourists. The beaches and the beautiful landscape leave nothing to be desired.

I didn’t see much of Palanga itself; I preferred a long break at the beach, where I could also take a few photos. And I took the opportunity to remind a participant from that trip of our experiences.

Then, the journey continued through the pine and birch forests that had impressed me back then. And this time too, I enjoyed the ride to the fullest.

As Klaipeda approached, I got back on the road, where rush hour traffic was already picking up.

The journey ended with obstacles in the form of stairs: first down, then back up. My destination was the hotel where we also stayed 10 years ago. I was surprised by the affordable price for this nice house and room. It is among the cheapest in all of Klaipeda.

A particular delight was the weather today: although it was windy, the sky was mostly clear.

https://www.komoot.com/de-DE/tour/2197767723?ref=itd

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**Español:**

Una de las razones por las que quería hacer un viaje por los países bálticos era un viaje a Lituania y Letonia con el Seeklub Sursee. En particular, las rutas en bicicleta que hicimos en 2015 me dejaron buenos recuerdos. Hoy tuve la oportunidad de repetir la más hermosa de aquellas rutas.

Sin embargo, primero tuve que recorrer los primeros 50 kilómetros de viaje, la mayor parte de los cuales fue por la carretera nacional. A pesar de ser lunes, el tráfico fue moderado y avancé bien, a pesar del viento fuerte.

Antes de poder salir de esta carretera nacional, tenía que cruzar la frontera hacia Lituania. También aquí no hubo controles ni otros obstáculos. En cambio, había un bonito banco columpio donde pude sentarme cómodamente y comer durante mi pausa para el almuerzo. Nuevamente, comí pasta que había preparado en el hotel con agua hirviendo.

Después, solo quedaban unos pocos kilómetros hasta mi salida. De inmediato me esperaba un mundo diferente. Pero también había un camino corto que era tan arenoso que preferí empujar la bicicleta. Me sorprendieron las numerosas construcciones nuevas que parecían casas de vacaciones. Y apenas había gente a la vista, probablemente porque aún no ha comenzado la temporada de vacaciones y las temperaturas son demasiado bajas. Este complejo turístico llamado Šventoji, que forma parte del municipio de Palanga, tiene a pesar de su tamaño solo unos 900 habitantes, pero espacio para varios miles de turistas. Las playas y el hermoso paisaje no dejan nada que desear.

No vi mucho de Palanga en sí; preferí una larga pausa en la playa, donde también pude tomar algunas fotos. Y aproveché la oportunidad para recordar a una participante del viaje de entonces sobre nuestras experiencias.

Luego continué mi viaje a través de los bosques de pinos y abedules que ya me habían impresionado en aquel entonces. Y también esta vez disfruté del trayecto al máximo.

Cuando Klaipeda se acercaba, volví a entrar en la carretera, donde el tráfico de la hora punta ya estaba aumentando.

El viaje terminó con obstáculos en forma de escaleras: primero hacia abajo, luego de nuevo hacia arriba. Mi objetivo era el hotel donde también nos alojamos hace 10 años. Me sorprendió el precio asequible de esta bonita casa y habitación. Es uno de los más económicos en toda Klaipeda.

Un placer especial también fue el clima de hoy: aunque ventoso, el cielo estaba mayormente despejado.

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**English:**

One of the reasons I wanted to take a trip through the Baltics was a journey to Lithuania and Latvia with the Seeklub Sursee. Specifically, the cycling tours we did back in 2015 left me with good memories. Today, I had the opportunity to repeat the most beautiful of those routes.

However, I first had to cover the first 50 kilometers of travel, most of which was on the national road. Despite it being a Monday, the traffic was moderate, and I made good progress despite the brisk wind.

Before I could leave this national road, I had to cross the border into Lithuania. Here too, there was neither control nor other obstacles. Instead, there was a nice swing bench where I could sit comfortably and eat during my lunch break. Once again, I had pasta that I had prepared in the hotel with boiling water.

After that, there were only a few kilometers left to my exit. Immediately, I was welcomed by a different world. But there was also a short path that was so sandy that I preferred to push the bike. I was surprised by the many new buildings that looked like holiday homes. And there was hardly anyone to be seen, probably because the holiday season hasn't started yet and the temperatures are still too low. This holiday resort named Šventoji, which is part of the municipality of Palanga, has only about 900 inhabitants despite its size, yet it can accommodate several thousand tourists. The beaches and the beautiful landscape leave nothing to be desired.

I didn't see much of Palanga itself; I preferred a long break at the beach, where I could also take a few photos. And I took the opportunity to remind a participant from that trip of our experiences.

Then, the journey continued through the pine and birch forests that had already impressed me back then. And this time, too, I enjoyed the ride to the fullest.

As Klaipeda approached, I returned to the road, where rush hour traffic was already increasing.

The journey ended with obstacles in the form of stairs: first down, then back up. My destination was the hotel where we also stayed 10 years ago. I was amazed at the affordable price for this nice house and room. It is one of the cheapest in all of Klaipeda.

A special joy was also the weather today: although it was windy, the sky was mostly clear.