Training and cake: a beautiful partnership

Esztergom. One of the oldest towns in Hungary and its capital from the 10^th to the mid-13^th century. And I just happened upon it because it was near somewhere that looked like it might be nice for cycling. Superb.

The town, as I have already mentioned, is home to the largest building in Hungary – the Primatial Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary Assumed Into Heaven and St Adalbert. Now, that’s a name! I can also attest to its size. It is huge. The most awesome building I’ve seen ever I think. It took my breath away more than St Peters in Rome, or the Colosseum or even Stonehenge (which for a prehistory keen-bean like me is saying something).

Up & Up

The Slovak Paradise (Slovenský raj) is regarded as one of the most beautiful areas in the Spiš region of Slovakia. A small National Park, designated as such in 1988 and the first protected landscape in Slovakia, it is a great example of a karst landscape, that is, one based on limestone that consists of plateaus, river canyons, gorges and caves. It also supports a rich fauna and flora. As a lover of such stuff, I couldn’t really miss this.

I arrived at the main set off point for many of the hiking trails at around noon and the place was heaving. Obviously a popular spot (I later learnt that this was their busiest day on record…trust me to turn up then).

Spectacular Spiš

I wake up in Zakopane. Its Wednesday. I don’t know where I’m going next. No target to get to. No invitation to accept. For the first time in maybe forever, I, the queen of being organised, am not. It feels liberating on the one hand. Strangely alien on the other.

First things first, whilst I’ve got the benefit of campsite WiFi I write my blog. This is a surprisingly time consuming thing but I’m enjoying crafting it, so I hope you’re enjoying reading it.

I look at Google Maps. Where should I go? Zakopane, whilst on the doorstep of some great hiking is a little too busy and touristy for my liking. I want to head somewhere quieter, and maybe somewhere slightly less mountainous so I can get out on the bike and achieve some distance rather than just meters climbed.

Poland: hospitality, history, hills and hiking

I’m reading a book at the moment, lent to me by someone from work. Its right up my street, about cycle touring. Anyway, I was glad to read the following paragraphs the other night, and it made me certain that I’ve done the right thing in not planning my trip: