Europe – Sida 8 – The Global Cycling 1726 Around The World Journey

My first tough climbing

May 2

My sleep has been good and today, 2 May my first goal is Beiuş 40 km away.

View from my tent camp in the morning

Need a new sim card for my old cell phone I luckily had brought with me, and also a new butane / propane gas bottle which is almost has running out for the camping kitchen

Now the summer has come, despite early morning. I can ride in shorts and short-sleeved shirt and I like that.

A sad sight in front of me between Brătești and Răbăgani stopped me, a dead collie lying on the road. A it seems he had been lying there for a while and no one wanted to know anything about the dog either.

Today early fornoon , a sad sight. A dead collie on the road. I stopped to bury him

I found a small shovel and buried him on a grassy place by the side of the road. It is deplorable that no one in the vicinity showed any concern.

I entered Beius just before noone, lots of people and traffics, seems to be a busy town at the moment. I bought a new simcard at Orange, a new gasbottle to my camping kitchen and a lunch.

Some hours later I was om my saddle again peadling after small roads through rural villages.

In Cristio de Jos I did my last stop before my camp and stopped ouside a local grocerie shop which also worked like a meeting place for the locals.

My last stop before camp. A local grocery shop, bar and local meeting point

Three tables and a TV hanging on the wall above the pay desk. At one of the tables sat some villagers and chat while watching TV. I bougth some groceries and bread and then a cup of coffe and sat down beside the door. One of the men at the other table asked me with a mixed of english end romania where I was going.

– I´m heading f0r Deva…

They laughed and shook their heads and gestured with hands and arms that it was very uphill and they said in chorus…

– Good luck …

From here and now the challenge of today began.

The road wound like a serpentine uphill with steep precipices to my right and dense forest on the other side.

Roadworks had been started at some parts. Five – six km up then about two easy km to my camp.

Tired but satisfied, I got my reward on the top, the view down valley was magnificent… gave me Goose bumps, Really

Just before 8 o’clock pm, two hundred meters from the road out in a field overlooking Groși down belov, I camped.

Pretty tough climbing before my tent camp

Next day, my third in Romania I´m plamming for a break in Deva before I visit the castle Bran where Count Dracula has/had his residence.

Before I fell asleep, I started my audiobook app, as I alway don every night and continued to listen Leif G.W´s ”Kan man dö två gånger” (Can you die twice) about Police commissioners Evert Bäckström and his exploits.

Has reached chapter 24 or 25.

See Yeah from Deva

// P-G

By The Global Cyclist 1726|2023-09-25T19:46:16+00:00maj 8th, 2017|Europe, Romania|0 Comments

My meeting with a father to world famous womens and the summer has come

July 28 – May1

Visiting The Avas hill.

I started my second morning in Hungary with an English Breakfast and coffe at the hotel, then I checked out and cycled to the bicycle workshop to leave my bicycle for service as planned since yesterday.

With a small rucksack I started to walk up to Avas hill. Upwards all the way and passing some residential areas but the landmark was hard to miss, the television tower was visible from everywhere.

The Avas televisopn tower visiable from everywhere

The sad thing was that the weather became more cloudy with risk for rain. Well up there I observe a luxurious views of Miskolc and it´s surroundings.

Luxurious views of Miskolc

I chose another way back down to town, steeper, more na rrow and switchback-path similar. Much nicer, lots of flowers, trees and small houses.

Back in city I picked up my bike which was ready for more adventures and hardships.

Two hours after I visit Avas view point Chris and his girlfriend appeared at our meeting place at Tesco Express.

He described the best way to his address and 45 minutes later I stod infront of his residential buildings. He helped me to carry up my bicycle to his apartment

– It´s to risky to park your bike at the yard, even if you lock it up

We had a nice smal talk and a beer before nightsleep.

Chris couchsurfing host

It’s not a five star hotel but the experience of sleeping with a totally strange Hungarian is great for me and Chris was really a nice person to learn.

Next day, I less than 100 km to Balmazujavaros which is my goal to day.

106 km easy cycling today

coffe break next to the railway track

This guy from Germany had some odd packing

Balmazujavaros is a small village and I stoped only for provision at rural shop.

While I prepare and pack my purchased groceries in my panniers, a boozer hanging around my bike and talking incoherently. Tried to ignore him and cycled away.

When I pitched up my tent outside Balmazujavaros I noticed my cell phone was missing.

quite easy to pitch up a Hilleberg tent

Time has past 6 p.m and the rural shop closed so I had to wait until next morning bike back and ask if anyone found it, but I was sure the boozer stole my cell phone while I was packing food into my panniers.

I will kill the soon of a bitch.

A mobile phone is just more than a phone, it´s a life line to sister and friends, pictures, documents, addresses, codes, and you name it.

Day after I cycle back for searching my phone if someone ….! It was now I met an older well-dressed . He told me during our cycling that he spokes ten languages and was a proud father of two world-famous daughters, both Celione Dione and Maria Carey… !!!! Wow what a father

In Balmazujavaros this man told eme he was father to Celine Dion and Maria Carey…!

No Phone, it´s gone for ever so I turned back for heading romania at Ártánd Border Crossing 75 km south.

For me as a Swede it´s always with joy to see a storkfamily. In Sweden they are very, very rare, only in the very south, Skåne if you are lucky get to see some couple.

a pair of storks in their nest who may be waiting the birth of their newborn

Waiting patiently to perform a day’s work

A day later just before 14:00, passing the border croosing and passcontrol in Ártánd and then I cycled into a Oradea, Romania.

Ártánd Border Crossing Station a gate into Romania

and I stopped at a big, clean and beautiful square close to Crişul Repede river

Oradea magnificet square where I stopped for coffe

I asked my self while sitting with my coffe… Why is the traffic so scanty, it´s monday?

Then I remember, today is it May 1, International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day and an official holiday even i Romania.

I continue drinking my coffee and eating one of my pizza slices which I had in handlebar bag and at the same time browsing on my Huawei MediaPad.

45 minutes coffe drinking and peeking on strolled DEVA citizens anf then I cycled around and across the river until my hunger told me to stop.

After a small alley outdoor cafes are lined up and after a certain inner persuasion, I sat down inside one of the restaurants and order a pizza.

Sat for two hours with my computer connected to their WiFi and at the same time as I myself felt relaxed.

A kind of inner harmony and calm had spread to my mental state despite the hassle and the loss of my cell phone, but fortunately you learn a lot from events like this.

Then I cycled ovet river Crişul Repede again and further south direction of Băile Felix which is a few km outside the city but the goal I have set is Drăgești.

The traffic has increased significantly, but it is quite easy to find your way out of Oradeao. Signs keep saying I’m on the right track.

It is noticeable that I have left Hungary’s flat and treeless pannonian steppes, now it’s more like Wales. Hills and small mountains everywhere and very green.

Passing many small and cozy villages and noticed the Romania’s Orthodox Catholic is very visible in the design of all churches, specialy the roofs and they are beutiful.

Romania is Wales look alike, grreen and many hills

On the very peak of a small hill and with a magnificent view over the valley below and nearby community I steered my bike a bit from the road and pitch up my tent.

Time has past 20:00, the air is lukewarm and only few clouds on the sky, so I calculated with a chilly night.

Eating a late dinner and have time to listen to three chapters about Evert Bäckström’s achievements

See Yeah from Deva
// P-G

By The Global Cyclist 1726|2023-09-25T19:46:56+00:00maj 6th, 2017|Europe, General, Romania|0 Comments

Miskolc and couchsurfing inquiry

Has slept as well as possible despite the choice of my campsite beside the motorway and no rain.
Madness and crazy, but a fun experience in the end.

Today I’m going to cross the Slovenian border into Hungary. No checking, just passing the borderline.

Maybe a new bicycle cart worth a try

After 70 km, heavy headwinds after dull road and many sunflower fields, has forgotten how many…

Hungary is widely known for their sunflower fields – they are everywhere

…I cycled into Miskolc few minutes after 12.

The first thing I did was look for a cafe and found severals after the shopping street.
While I was sitting in the afternoon sunshine drinking my coffe and beer I send a inquiry to a couchsurfing service for a one night bed or two!

Expected no response at all but within quarter I recived an answer from a person calling himself Chris.
He was positive and told me this very night was´nt possible but next one. His real name was Ugochukwu Anigu and we decided for a short meet outside Tesco Express tomorrow afternoon.

We switched mobilephone numbers and e-mails and he also gave me a brief description of where he lived. Has never tried this kind of accommodation before, so it will be a surprise.

When I cycled into Miskolc, I saw a tourist info poster about The Avas which is a hill of volcanic origin and also a landmark for Miskolc. This visit have to wait until tomorrow morning.

After my coffebreak I searched for a hotel and no problem to find one.
Rest of afternoon I cycled aorund the citycenter, left my bicyclefor servivce with promise it would be finished before 15 p.m next day.
Later in evening I took a walkabout for eveningmeal and few beers.

See yeah tomorrow
// P-G

By The Global Cyclist 1726|2023-09-25T19:47:33+00:00maj 4th, 2017|Europe, General, Slovakia|0 Comments

A short but beautiful passing through to Slovakia

It was cold when I woke up, almost below zero and outside the sun had´nt show up… yet.

A quick breakfast and then up on the saddle and pedaling away south to Stavra Lubovna.

I had positive hopes for warmer weather within couple hours If I could be trusted to the local weatherforcast

I been told Slovakia is a little more mountainous than Poland and more grandious nature to look at.

It is the the views and magnificent nature together with all the encounters with people that give me the drive to ride a bike with panniers

The road follows a stream slavishly the first 4-5 km and surrondings is dense deciduous forest. Small villages with green sloping meadows and nice wooden houses.

One of some nice and cozy villages on the ride to Stavra Lubovna

Exactly what I expected after I checked my routeplan in Garmin GPS yesterday.

Every half an hour rises the heat both inside my self and the air, the sun was shinning and the altitude is rising

For the first time since start , I had to take off the jacket and just ride a short-sleeved shirt and it feels absolutely wonderful.

At the top of this hill at Sedlo Vabec I got a magnificent view over the valley, Tatra mountains and down to Stavra Lubovna.

View over Jabrinba Valley and Tara Mountains from Sedlo Vabec

after a speedy descent I stopped in Stavra Lubovna just for provisioning at LIDL for dinner tonight and some coffee at a coffebar in the city.

Buildings with beautiful architecture at, St. Nicolaus´ Square, Stavr Lubovna

Nice landscape views close to Plavnica

This day was the shortest on a saddle since I started in Ö-vik. Barely 50 km and in Puste Pole, beside and down by the railroad I pitch up my tent near a field and surrounded by small trees and shrubs

Next day april 26 in Lipany a meeting with my first touring bicyclist on my journey, a cycle geek like myself and I notice him from distance , a long-haul cyclist, we cycle in a little special way when we have panniers and other stuffs on the bicycle .

My first meeting with an other touring cyclist, Lee Jay from Seoul

We stoped and talk to each other. He was from Seuol and his name was Lee Jae and also only two years younger than me.
We mostly talk about where we came from and where we are heading. Changes email addresses and also ”Selfi-card”.

I like this, meetings with like-minded nerds. I noticed Lee only had two panniers, and he told
me because he sleept only at hotels.
His next goal was passing Slovakia, then Poland futhrt into Russia and from there he would take a flight home Korea

In Presova coffe break for an hour, relaxing and som WiFi connecting, then I take a direction towards Kosice.

The happiness and joy in Pečovská Nová Ves

The tailwind I had before lunch is gone, headwind on very bad roadsurface, but the weather was warm so I stopped at Lemesany and my first icecreame this year.

In Kosice I did some dinner shopping at Tesco, but move on quite quickly to the Hungarian border.

After half a mile I saw a roadsign showing Kechnec which was near the border, but somewhere, now in the eveninglight and in the dense traffic, especially the long trucks, I missed an exit to a smaller road and I end up on a motorway.

After a few miles I was stopped by a traffic controllers who told me I can not ride with a bike on this road.

– This is an speedy highway
– You can´t cycle here, turn back and choose road 17!

After a crude intensive discussion, I could continue my bikeride in the dark that increases… to first and best exit I had promised.

Late evening around about half past nine p.m finally I find a place to put up the tent. Just 25 meter from the highway beside a sort of buildning for traffice monitoring .

Tent camp beside highway E71

The only thing I worried about just then was if some borderguards notice my choice of camping place.

Tomorow, Hungary border and thewn Miskolc.

See yeah
// P-G

By The Global Cyclist 1726|2023-09-25T19:48:17+00:00maj 2nd, 2017|Europe, Slovakia|0 Comments

Mnisek nad Popradom and another chilly night

Crossed the borderline into Slovakia whithout a control but that´s the facts if you choose the smaller border crossings.

Crossing river Poprad at Mníšek nad Popradom.

Just 100 meters after the bridge a campingplace with roofed camping tables lined up, large green areas surrounded by forest, perfect place for me.
After 101 km on the saddle today, my legs was a little bit stiff and my self tired.

To pitch up my tent did´nt took long time and then I occupied the roofed camping table and prepared the evening’s dinner.

Late dinner at Mníšek nad Popradom

Tomorrow an other country on my global journey, Slovakia

See Yeah
//P-G

By The Global Cyclist 1726|2023-09-25T19:48:50+00:00april 25th, 2017|Europe, Slovakia|0 Comments

Going for Slovakia and Hungary

My first week in Poland was a little bit boring. Dull and straight roads, not everywhere but almost. But above all, the weather was cold and windy and I had to cycle with down/feather gloves most of the time.

My second week was a bit warmer but not less windy, but apparently the spring has come a little bit further down here.
Nights and early morning still cold.

No problems with mosquitoes at this temperature

After the roads grows typical spring flowers in ditches and blooming trees in the gardens. Best of all is to woke up every morning hearing chirping birds, such sounds are always nice to listen to.

Blooming cherry-trees

Has also seen that some dandelions already begun to spread their seeds. It gives me hope for a brighter and warmer period.

Within a few days I will left Polen for this time and cycling into Slovakia and Hungary, but also probably more mountains and hills to ride over, especially In Slovakia.

So far I have´nt met so many other touring cyclists…Yet, when I do, I’m always get happy . It’s always fun to talk and share information with other like-minded nerds

Must also tell me that my dear companions Kenth and Maggie has finally found each other.

Now they are buddies and joining their time at the lake Jezioro Rożnowskie

Now it´s time to jump on the saddle and padaling futher to the slovakia border at Mníšek nad Popradom which is also my goal for today… 46 km leftHope the summer has lasted longer as I get closer to Hungary.

Bye Polska. Możemy być postrzegane w innym czasie

See Yeah from Slovakia and Hungary

//P-G

By The Global Cyclist 1726|2023-09-25T19:49:23+00:00april 24th, 2017|Europe, Polen|0 Comments

My first day in Polen

Sweden good bye for a while, now Polen is waiting and I have no expectations of this country. Never been here before and in the name of honesty I do´nt know much of it either.

The morning light is about to wake up

The ferry trip across the baltic sea did not make me any problems, quite calm on the sea. Into the very central part of Gdynia I had to cycle 16 km, but since it was early Saturday morning, the traffic was sparse so no problem to cycle into the center.

Antonio Abraham monument a Polish promoter of Pomeranian culturean & Kashubian activist

Parked my bicycle outside a café and then I visit a bookstore for purchasing a detalied map of southern Polen.

Soon after I left the city the drizzle began and it was time to switch to more suitable clothing.

Gdynia and Gdansk are two popular cities for ferry tourists especially from Sweden and soon more or less cohesive city region.
If the traffic intensity was sparse in the morning it was the opposit now. Speedy cars,dense and busy traffic but it also saturday for the Pole, and as if that were not enough lots of road constructions made me and my Garmin Navigator some minor problems.

Well out of Gdansk, the drizzle has deteriorated and now it looks raining ”cats and dogs” , but late afterwards it stopped.

Few km north of Gmina Subkowy I turned right into a small village road and amongs trees of beech I pitched my tent…. in drizzle!”

Hour is late, and also my dinner preparation.

Few km north Subkowy my first camping dinner in Polen

My first day i Polen ever could have start better.

Tomorrow I plan to reach Torun

See Yeah
// P-G

By The Global Cyclist 1726|2023-09-25T19:54:19+00:00april 23rd, 2017|Europe, Polen|0 Comments

Spring comes closer, jetted bathtube, fatal calender blunder and ferry to Gdynia

Almost mid April and clear signs of spring are visible but summer still far away.

Cycling on small dirt roads between villages , which I thought was not on the map, but people lives here in the middle of the wilderness.

In Nässjö, I made a short stop for a toilet visit at a ”Resecentrum” then on the saddle again heading Vetlanda, Astrid Lindgrens dear hometown.

The weather still chilly and the dun gloveds are needed. In Nottebäck I turned into a smal road after a sign to a bathing place. Worth to check up, could be a nice place to camp.

Few cabins, a bathing jetty and some small trees close to the lake was a prefect place to camp at.

The last few hours the weather has become more chilly and soon rain is coming.

Campnight at Lake Madkroken, chilly, windy and drizzel

The lake , Madkroken is in rebellion, the waves bump into the beach edge and it´s very chilly so I make my self hefty campfire to warm me up while I’m eating

While drinking coffe and sips a small glass of whiskey it´s start to drizzle. Before I crawl into my down sleeping bag I pulls over my Surley Long Haul Trucker with a bicycle cover.

I woke up early, thoroughly rested and the cold is noticeable, snow in the air. Before I left I tried to eat some breakfast but it was to cold to make a real one. It will be to stop by the road at some suitable tavern.

Mostly of the trip to Smedby was quite easy despite some headwinds

A few stops after the road for coffe and sandwiches I arrived to Smedby which is located 5-6 km from Kalmar just after three o’clock p.m.

Feel like home, have lived, worked and walked with my dogs here for 14 years, and good warm feelings creep in the body.

Looking up Raab’s road 25 and soon I saw a 185 cm long, unshaved Magnus with his big welcome smile and I’m get happy.

Nine years ago since last time here and that time I would ride to Paris, ”Yippee ki-yay”

Lena comes down as happy and charming as I will ever remember her. Their children is not home Yet, they practising tennis and violin.

We had a very nice evening with waffles, church visits, Mexican dinner, late TV, Notting Hill, ice cream and liqueur.

But I’ll never forget the bath in the jetted bathtub, it was heavenly nice.

Warm jetted bath worth waiting for

Had been able to stay in the bathtub for several hours without any problems. They have prepered Aaron’s bedroom for me, Aaron himself sleeping with his sister Lisa.It´s is easter and Good friday morning and after a huge breakfast I took farewell and my plans was to visit some other friends , Joy & Tommy, but I had mixed up the weeks wrong.

My dear friends in Smedby

Joy and Tommy had visitors from north of Sweden so I turned opposite direction and pedaling heading the harbor of Värkö and the ferry to Polen instead.

From Kalmar to the Polen ferry at Verkö, Karlshamn is about 90 km, no problems to managed it on one day.

The weather was nice and not so chilly, traffic almost gone, belive that the motorists had switch the car for the broom to Blockula instead.

Half past 4 p.m I cycled into the ferry terminal to Poland. Now is my Sweden journey finished for this time.
Next time on Swedish soil will be sometime early autumn 2019

I bought my ferry ticket and a bed in a double room and got told the ferry leaves 21:00 and arriving Gdynia 09:45.

While the dark is setting down over Verkö bay I steer up my bicycle the angway.Polen and Gdynia next

Now I leave Sweden for a while

By By Sweden and Hello Polen
See Yeah from Polen

By The Global Cyclist 1726|2023-09-25T19:54:56+00:00april 21st, 2017|Europe, Sweden|0 Comments

More headwinds and forest paths to Tidaholm

April 11

The night was chilly, breakfast and then off to Skovde, stopping at the Max restaurant and drink coffee.

Just outside the town a road signpost informs me that my planned route to the road 26 does not permit cyclists so I re-route my Garmin GPS computer to find a another road .

Take left towards Paradissjön and then on the narrow, sometimes closed gravel roads, some of them are only forest roads.

This road was closed but not stoped me

Navigate carefully amongs branches, twigs, pine cones and holes, timber piles are common.

Forest road with no traffic, just me, the bike and the rustling forest.

While I was cycling in a relaxed speed, I listen to Lotta Bromé and interview with P-G Gyllenhammar, former CEO of Volvo cars and during interjuven it emerges that at 81 years of age he had just had a baby!!!

Finally I reached Tidaholm and my normal route took over…

After Tidaholm I arriving Habo and from here to Jönkoping through tough slopes in Bankeryd I cycled on wonderful bike paths.

It’s obvious that I’ve got far south. The spring has progressed further down here then home, and blomming anemones and the coltsfoot grows in the ditch edges.

Soon after 19 pm I cycling into the southermost town of Lake Vättern, Jönköping.

I get immediate positive memories from my time as a student in this city in the late 80’s and early 90´s

Continuing through town without stopping and looking up a suitable place to camp.

I found a nice place in a birch grove by the side of a small road. I pitch up the tent first and then I managed to create evening dinner in front of a fire.
I fall asleep within minutes.

Tomrrow I have planned my bicycle route by narrow, gravel roads and almost car free roads to Tennhult and then to Astrid Lindgrens Vetlanda

By The Global Cyclist 1726|2023-09-25T19:55:25+00:00april 18th, 2017|Europe, Sweden|0 Comments

Headwind, The Göta Canal and and friends with flu

10/4

Leaving Karlstad whith a little sad moment, but necessary. The weather was Ok , just a little rain. After a while the wind changed to crosswind which meant that my average speed fell dramatically.

Göta Canal locks at Sjötorp

About 22 km north of Marierstad at Sjötorp I crossed one of many locks of Göta Canal. Before I continued towards Mariestad I called Hakan and Birgitta and says…

– I’m on my way.

Finds out that they are significantly affected by flu and decides that there will be no overnight with them.

The last 22 km went into headwinds character, it was really tough, but after an hour and a half I was in front of Hakan & Birgittas villa

We chatted about past events and Hakan showed his wine project, drank coffee and sandwiches before I headed towards Skövde.

It was really fun to meet them after so long time and we said goodbye with hugs!!!

Just 7-8 km south Mariestad, Käckestad I did camp for the night. I found a place few hundred meters from the road in a forest clearing.

Tomorrow Jönköping

By The Global Cyclist 1726|2021-10-04T17:58:20+00:00april 17th, 2017|Europe, Sweden|0 Comments

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