Departure into the Unknown

Day #25

Monday, May 25th

From Budapest to Jászkisér

Country: Hungary

From today, I will leave the designated bike paths.

But first, I need to hit the road and get breakfast in the form of salad and 2 rolls. There isn't much to choose from as almost everything is closed.

Then load up the bike and I can get going.

To start, a stretch along the Danube to enjoy the moment.

Along the way, I meet 2 bikepackers.

After a nice exchange, we cross the Széchenyi Iánchid (Chain Bridge), which I saved as a landmark of the city to cycle over today, heading east.

A bridge that connects Buda and Pest.

Then exit the city and look for a supermarket.

Since all the shops are closed, the only option left is the gas station.

And what I need to find out after a brief conversation, something most of you probably already know, is that it is Pentecost.

And now I know that this is also a holiday in Hungary.

Okay, even with gummy bears, chocolate croissants, and a bag of sunflower seeds, I can get through the day. Also, I have my granola bars as an emergency supply.

It begins that I exclusively follow country roads. After managing the few elevation gains on the way to Romania in the first few kilometers, I reach the Hungarian lowlands.

It is very flat again through the landscape, passing fields lined by solitary trees and bushes.

The only vegetation taller than the grass.

Otherwise, fields. And fields. And country roads. And fields.

And a short stretch of EuroVelo 14, as the signs tell me.

They really are everywhere.

And yet I stick to the route of my app, as I have decided on the path through Transylvania and the Carpathians.

This way, Bucharest is also on my route.

The next city starting with B.

In the monotony of the landscape, a feeling of stagnation arises, although the speedometer says otherwise and I am essentially making good progress.

Fortunately, today it is still windless again. At least when I ride eastward.

This reminds me of the guys I met back by the Danube.

The two are traveling from Istanbul to France. So they are facing a strong headwind today, poor guys.

Meanwhile, I am curious when I will next encounter other cyclists, after I (almost) definitely leave the designated bike paths today.

Along the country roads, I am glad for my blink light and reflector band. It gives a better feeling and nourishes hope that the passing cars will keep a bit more distance.

Or one can do it like a road cyclist who is right there with a support vehicle, flashing its hazard lights behind him.

Rice chips are my lunch, in the company of two butterflies that land on my hand and are hardly disturbed when I move.

I am curious about how my sleeping arrangement will look, as I am prepared to camp given the landscape.

All the drinking spots I find along the way are out of order, so I am glad to pass through a village with a gas station in the evening.

Additionally, there's a pack of sandwiches, and together with the two remaining chocolate croissants, I've made a sort of dinner.

Shortly after, I turn off into access roads, as directed by the GPS, which surprisingly ride quite well. The ground is firmly baked from the heat.

Around 7:00 PM, I decide to call it a day.

My GPS wanted to send me down a path where, at best, no road was visible anymore. Just a ditch.

Without water, even having a canoe would be useless.

On the alternative way through the fields, I eventually pass one of the few forested areas in the region and seize the opportunity.

Additionally, since I have already reached my daily goal, I would also like to conserve my strength a bit.

A quick check tells me that no one except Farmer Gerda might come by, so I set up my camp.

It starts to get dark, moonlight casts shadows on the ground, in the distance, a few dogs bark, and only a couple of annoying mosquitoes disrupt the tranquility before I fall asleep.

Song of the Day:

The Browning - Fed Up