Cycling from Bamberg to Pecs

 Today was a great day! I was finally back on the road! First I had to say goodbye to my relatives — that was kinda sad — then I went back on the road! I cycled about 30 km then I visited my brother had a nice cold drink there and I continued my trip. I didn’t get to far before I visited my longtime seen friend and her husband and kid. I’ve only saw them on pictures in the past 4 years so it was great to finally re-meet them in person.  My way from lake Balaton to Kaposvar was really nice. I had only a minor headwind and I had to meet buncha people. First I met some locals at Somogybabod’s only working restaurant/bar. They asked me if I was traveling far, then I told them I’m coming from Bamberg. They were absolutely staggered they said I have dedication. I do, haha. Then I cycled on the remains of the old highway that used to connect Kaposvar to Balaton. It was great to see the villages that we used to drive through. I’ve stopped near Kaposvar at lake Deseda, I had a few beer...

 Today was a rest day. My body really needed it. Philippe was right when he said that we need a rest day every week. I slept 12 hours and ate 2 huge langos for breakfast and 3 huge portion of spaghetti for lunch. I think I’m starting to catch up on the burnt calories — probably not — most days on my trip I’ve burned more than 5,000 calories. During daytime while I had my watch on. We went on two sail trips, on in the morning one in the evening. It’s so interesting that both trips happened the same day, but the environment was completely different. In the morning there was really little wind, but buncha sunshine, in the afternoon it was the absolute opposite. I had the chance to sail the ship both occasions, it was really cool but strange. We watched the sun go down from the middle of the lake, it was gorgeous. I’ve only ridden something like 20 km today, my Achilles tendon didn’t hurt while I was riding, but it did while I was walking. I hope it’ll be better tomorrow and I can slee...

 Today I made it to Lake Balaton! It was a very long ride with huge hills (I gained 1,058 m elevation) and I even got lost so I had to ride an extra 20 km…  The morning was nice, I got up early, and started my ride. First 20-30 km was okay no big hills, but then I saw the shit flying to the fan. And eventually it did hit the fan. It started with little hills, but then I saw the sign that said 10% incline in 3,000 meter. I gotta say that was a long walk…  After I made it thru Bakony I needed some food, however all the restaurants I checked were closed… So I bought a bottle of Gatorade and ate my snacks. I was close to Balaton, where I was staying with my family anyways. I climes the only two hills that are on the cycling trail around Balaton. As I refilled my bottle at a water fountain a few youngsters came with huge bags on their bikes. As it turned out they were cycling around Balaton. They asked me about my trip, I told them I’m coming from Germany they were absolutely ...

 Today after I woke up I got a really nice breakfast and I was off to Hungary! It was easier and faster to take the highway instead of the cycle lane. So I did. There were some cars but the traffic really wasn’t that heavy. Honestly I’m not completely in love with Austrian people, however I was absolutely shocked how much they respect cyclists. When they were overtaking they went to the other lane to do so, if someone was coming in the other lane they waited and then went past me. That was amazing.  The border was only 60 km I got there pretty quickly. And what a feeling it was. I stopped at the country sign took a picture with it, some people started applauding from a random car… it was such a beautiful moment. My heart was very full at that moment. I left the border and started crying. I couldn’t believe I finally made it! ‘I am home, I am home!’ kept going in my head. I was only away for 9ish days but because of the tiredness I’ve completed lost track of time, it rather fel...

 Today is a very special day. I’m writing my blog from an actual bed. I’m lying in a bed right now! After 5 days of sleeping on nothing but the bare ground in my tent it really feels special!  My morning started really slowly. I didn’t really have energy to start the day, I was hungry but I didn’t want to eat. Then I started cycling and my appetite finally came  back.  My first stop was at a restaurant where I drank a beer and had the opportunity to check out a nuclear power plant— from the outside of course. Allegedly the power plant was built in the 80’s but never got used. Then I had another stop to have lunch by that time I cycled more than 50 km. After my lunch break I only wanted to stop in Vienna, but it was so full of people I rather came to my parents friend’s house instead. If I had to sum up today in one word that would be headwind. All freaking day. I was lucky because near Vienna a road cyclist who was jut a little bit faster than me overtook me so I cou...

 Today was a great day! I slept like a baby, yesterday had a toll on me for sure. In the morning we arrived to Linz, where we had breakfast at the oldest bakery in the city! I finally got to try the original Linzer cake. It was amazing! I can’t even describe it.  After Linz we headed towards Vienna, but Philippe wanted to see the nazi camp at Mauthausen so we had to say goodbye. It was amazing to meet him, he helped me so much. He helped me fix my tire he helped me get a different perspective on cycling. I’m grateful for the time we’ve spent together.  Saying goodbye was hard, but it was also nice to be alone. At the end of the day that’s why I’m here to be alone. Now I had to rediscover my own rhythm, my own body(?). Our breakfast was so much I wasn’t really hungry till 3 am. Then I found a Spar and people who were eating something in front of it. I entered the shop and asked a worker what were the people eating. She said leberkäse. Wow. I never had a leberkäse in my lif...