Today's ride was particularly scenic, at times it felt like I was in New Zealand again, surrounded by sheer cliff faces while cycling alongside running water. We started our day with some borek, a common breakfast food comprised of pastry and a filling of ricotta cheese and spinach, plus other sweets from the bakery. It … Continue reading EU Day 42: Riding Pirot (SRB) to Zajecar (SRB)
EU Day 41: Riding Sofia (SRB) to Pirot (SRB)
We were still feeling a bit sore today, so we decided to get a taxi since the train from Sofia to Pirot only runs at night time. None of the taxis wanted to cross the Bulgaria/Serbia border and we understood why. It took over an hour and a half to get through passport control, meanwhile … Continue reading EU Day 41: Riding Sofia (SRB) to Pirot (SRB)
EU Day 39-40: 25th Birthday, Riding Blagoevgrad (BUL) to Sofia (BUL) and Rest
The big quarter century! I woke up at 4am to the sounds of thunder and heavy rain and went on the balcony to fetch our drenched laundry. Leo woke up too, wished me happy birthday and played the "Lisa it's your birthday" tune from The Simpsons, while we wrung out our wet clothes in the … Continue reading EU Day 39-40: 25th Birthday, Riding Blagoevgrad (BUL) to Sofia (BUL) and Rest
EU Day 38: Riding Lake Berovo (MKD) to Blagoevgrad (BUL)
We hoped today's ride would be easy, but we braced ourselves for the worst, since we had to cross the ridge between Macedonia and Bulgaria. It was a cool morning and we eased into the ride nice and early. We had lunch at the midpoint in Delchevo, but it was a dud restaurant which took … Continue reading EU Day 38: Riding Lake Berovo (MKD) to Blagoevgrad (BUL)
EU Day 37: Riding Strumitsa (MKD) to Lake Berovo (MKD)
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)
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)
Jenny on Wheels 