I've probably said this before, but this was by far, the hardest ride on the tour. Initially it was straightforward, but we knew there was going to be a tough climb after the petrol station at the 12km mark. The climb took me two and a half hours and at one point, I got off … Continue reading EU Day 37: Riding Strumitsa (MKD) to Lake Berovo (MKD)
Touring
EU Day 36: Riding Star Dojran (MKD) to Strumitsa (MKD)
Today's ride was easy, we left before 8am and had plenty of time to ride before it started getting hot. We finished before lunch time and it felt strange to be in a bigger city, but we arrived during the Strumitsa Open Festival, so there were activities at night. After dinner, I went for the … Continue reading EU Day 36: Riding Star Dojran (MKD) to Strumitsa (MKD)
EU Day 35: Riding Lake Kirkini (GCE) to Star Dojran (MKD)
The sunrise boat trip was beautiful and it was nice to feel a cool breeze and watch the birds thrive on the water. The dalmatian pelican is an endangered species, but they've done well in the area due to the availability of food and some man made nesting platforms to increase the success rate of … Continue reading EU Day 35: Riding Lake Kirkini (GCE) to Star Dojran (MKD)
EU Day 34: Riding Sidirokastro (GCE) to Lake Kirkini (GCE)
We started the day with a nice breakfast and reflection about our lives and how things were going. I've been used to talking to strangers during my travels, so it was interesting to talk with someone who actually knows me. Six months ago we were in Tonga, part of the volunteer program where we met, … Continue reading EU Day 34: Riding Sidirokastro (GCE) to Lake Kirkini (GCE)
EU Day 33: Sidirokastro (GCE)
The morning didn't start off well, when I got up to use the bathroom, I kept bumping into the walls for some reason. I was feeling really dizzy and couldn't even stand while I showered. Leo was getting ready for the big ride, which went through a mountain ridge and I curled up in a … Continue reading EU Day 33: Sidirokastro (GCE)
EU Day 32: Riding Dospat (BUL) to Gotse Delchev (BUL)
This was the easiest ride yet, it was a day of solid downhill action. So that explains why this is such a short post. After yesterday's less successful ride, my stomach was still feeling unpleasant, but it was okay because gravity did all the work for us. The mountains were very pretty and we had … Continue reading EU Day 32: Riding Dospat (BUL) to Gotse Delchev (BUL)
EU Day 31: Riding Smolyan (BUL) to Dospat (BUL)
I was hoping to feel refreshed after our rest day in Smolyan and tackle one last day of climbing. Unfortunately today was painful, starting off with some intense stomach cramps, but I was determined to ride regardless. The first 10km were fine, I just winced and grit my teeth when my stomach started turning. It … Continue reading EU Day 31: Riding Smolyan (BUL) to Dospat (BUL)
EU Day 30: Smolyan, rest day
I woke up this morning with extremely sore abs, it hurt to sit up in bed, so I rolled over and ate the left over chocolate on the bedside table. Leo heard the wrapper crackle, pointed at me and said "chocolate fiend" then went back to sleep. Breakfast was essentially the same, although the waitress … Continue reading EU Day 30: Smolyan, rest day
EU Day 29: Riding Kirkovo (BUL) to Smolyan (BUL)
This was the last ride for stage 4, before our rest day in Smolyan, a town near the Rhodope Mountains. We were amped up and ready rumble, each with our own snacks, frozen water bottles and two designated stop points along the way. Zlatograd was a very pretty town, with plenty of locals out and … Continue reading EU Day 29: Riding Kirkovo (BUL) to Smolyan (BUL)
EU Day 28: Riding Krumovgrad (BUL) to Kirkovo (BUL)
After an excellent night of rest, we were prepared for today's ride, which was half the distance as yesterday's ride. We had some omelettes for breakfast and briefly investigated town before we headed off. It seemed odd that parts of the town were really nice but parts of it were abandoned or really run down. … Continue reading EU Day 28: Riding Krumovgrad (BUL) to Kirkovo (BUL)
Jenny on Wheels 