Imperial Capitals Bike Ride

A 12-day adventure by John Read more

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Trip start
July 21, 2023
Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Wheelchair jam
July 21, 2023 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Departure from Liverpool and a dilemma - paid drop off & limited carrying of the bike or free drop off and a quarter mile hike with a 23kg bike box. No choice but wasn't keen - a friendly Irish guy offered to help but pride is a bad thing. Something of a sweaty mess while queuing up to drop the bike off. The Lufthansa check in was next door to the God express to Lourdes. An epic wheelchair jam full of geriatric catholic scousers heading out for 'salvation' or something like that. Nice and easy through security to find the Frankfurt flight was delayed. On the face of it - less time waiting for the transfer, that is assuming it's not horrendously late and the connection is missed. Eventually boarded onto the rather small hopper plane. Had jets though. Bit of a bumpy flight but there was 'free' chocolate. Coming into land and there was an awful lot of circling going on. Apparently there was a fierce thunderstorm over the airport so landing was postponed until it passed. As if getting to the gate wasn't going to be tight enough. Once off, the bus ride reinforced just how massive Frankfurt airport was. Hectic up and down dash only to find the Prague flight was delayed. Due in at midnight(ish) Really hoping the transfer will take the bike...Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
A tale of 2 stadiums.
July 22, 2023 in Czech Republic ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
The final leg from Frankfurt to Prague didn't quite go as smoothly as hoped. Obviously there were delays & it was touch & go whether it would go at all - there was an 11pm curfew but exceptions were made due to the storms. Flagged up the delay to the hotel & was assured the transfer company took delays into consideration. It wouldn't be a problem - someone would be there and or get in touch. No queue at immigration. All good. Pannier was first off the belt. Then the wait. All bags off but no bike. Asked & was pointed to the oversized area. No sign coming in the other direction. Ho hum but bike was there & box was relatively unscathed. Off to find the transfer. Out & 1 taxi guy looking for Martha. Went outside, waited a few minutes but clearly no transfer. Either phone or get the bike out. Went with the bike & managed to get myself in a right panic - couldn't get the chain right on the derailleur. Had to walk away & calm down. Still annoyed but sorted the bike, got the lights on & off into the darkness. Once away from the airport it really was dark. Dodged potholes & puddles & made it to the hotel for around 2ish. Hotel a bit non-plussed by it. Eventually came out that this often happens. Anyway that meant a rather groggy start and lots of cakes for breakie. Quick dash to the nearby bike shop for a bike lock, except it was closed. Next stop the Great Stahrov Stadium - site of the 3rd biggest stadium attendance ever in the world. A Soviet throwback that had definitely fallen on hard times. Unusually, though, you could get in without paying so that brightened the mood. Convoluted route to the next bike shop, which was open. Didn't speak English but understood bike lock. Sorted. Decided to head to the hotel to dump the panniers & then head off to the Slavia Prague stadium - a little more cared for. Managed to get in there as well - setting up for the match later on & a gate was open. Wandered in - a couple of guys saw but clearly weren't bothered. On the way back, stopped off at TV transmitter tower - it'd be rude not to. Except they only took cash & all I had was Euros. Tried the cash point & the first card wouldn't work, the second was asking for £4 just to hand over money. Nope. The guy settled for Euros. Nice views and some bizarre chairs. And as for the baby sculptures crawling up the side of the tower ..Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Hike to stay awake.
July 22, 2023 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Checked in & immediately knew that lying down was a bad idea. Especially if any more of Prague was to be seen. Ambled for that was the pace of the day down to the old town to discover, unsurprisingly since it was a Saturday and it was sunny, that everywhere was busy. And those who were out and about consisted of a large number of stag dos. Managed to take in the astronomical clock. Bit peckish so the first of what will probably be a number of sausages. Nice. Braved Charles Bridge & it was bad. Tour parties stopping & blocking coupled with numerous artists bottlenecking the bridge. Braced myself for a massive queue at the South Tower - where you can get panoramic views of the bridge. No-one was there so it was quiet panoramic views. Priceless. On the way upto the castle - popped over to Lennon Wall - a symbol of defiance against communist rule. Surprisingly the castle was pretty quiet as well. Yet another tower to climb & some of the characters doing it really should have paid attention to the sign at the bottom. The gardens below the castle walls, again staved off the headache that loomed and offered views and tranquility - no stags up here.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Wooded, shady goodness.
July 23, 2023 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Proper fill up at breakie and then onto the serious stuff - getting out of Prague. Initial SATNAV message to start off informed of 14 climbs for the day. Nice to know. So lots of climbing & in Prague lots of traffic lights - slow progress. All went by fairly uneventfully - stopped at a couple of supermarkets - sponge their WiFi & try and gauge lunch stops, which works if Google can estimate the route. It did not. Still picked up some cereal bars & bananas. Stopped at Konopiste Castle, 25 miles in. Nice place - bugger to get a photo of - too many trees. Not that the forested nature of Czechia is bad. With high 20's and lots of climbing the shade from the trees and the wind were helping. From the castle there was a good 10 miles of really busy road - relief to get off but hillier off it. Also no towns or villages to speak of so lunch was likely to be cereal bars and bananas. Water was the problem. Resorted to chancing a hand pump. In haste the output wasn't checked & when eventually needed, it was a little metallic in taste. Back on the main road & almost on the motorway - quick u-turn. Took in a petrol station for sustenance & the water tipped out looked decidedly brown. Hoping it was rust. We'll see how that affects me. Mostly downhill to Tabor. Hostel found easily - warden not so much. Buzzer & phone call both seemed unsuccessful but eventually she rocked up. Cleaned up & explored the old town - v pretty.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Endless trees & carp lakes.
July 24, 2023 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Early start - no breakie binge, just a couple of pastries. Nice easy start as well - down to the river & then along for a few miles. Then hit the dreaded E55 - the busy road endured yesterday. Managed a couple of cut throughs. Rain loomed & took a break at a bus stop. Old lady actually waiting for a bus looked on suspiciously or just in confusion. Pushed on but took shelter in Lidl. Stocked up - not making that mistake again. No climbs listed today and progress was good, if a little busy. Made it to Trebon, after negotiating a veritable maze of carp ponds & lakes. Primarily feeding this areas Chrimbo feast where live carp are bought & kept in the bath tub until the day. An early lunch in Trebon by one of the said carp lakes. It was shortly after Trebon that the route became a little tougher. There'd been a mile or so of gravel shortly before Trebon & the SATNAV had indicated 95% of the route was on sealed routes. Assumed the rest now would be straightforward. Indicted route had concrete slabs so strictly speaking it was sealed but boy was it rough - big gaps between, uneven levels & hefty pot holes. No traffic though, apart from mountain bikers - hmmm. Got to take the rough with the smooth. Had little choice - this seemed the only route through this seemingly endless forest. Ended up going with the gravel in the middle. Heard a few woodpeckers but saw nothing - eyes were trained on what was ahead and avoiding pot holes. Eventually tarmac was rediscovered. Add to that the wind was behind me and the miles were rattled off. Ended hitting Gmünd at around 3ish & the most unobtrusive border crossing ever. Rickety footbridge & a little sign at the edge of a park. Cycle out to the hotel suggested Gmünd was nothing more than an industrial border town & the hotel was based in service station - nice. Once washed, wandered into town & it had a little more to it than first appeared.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
The glorious bus stops of Lower Austria
July 25, 2023 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Throughout the night it was forecast for thunderstorms. Nothing materialised and all was dry when I woke up. Decided to make a quick dash into town to make use of the bike service zone. If nothing else a full on foot pump should do wonders for my tyres. Managed to get back in the dry. Every little helps. Epic breakie negotiated, decided to push on ASAP only to encounter roadwork issues. Tried translating the warning sign & Google wasn't exactly crystal clear. Asked a passing old lady & she seemed to suggest it was ok. Again, something might have got lost in translation. It was ok if cycling on a gravel road is your thing - I've cycled on worse ... in the the last 24 hours. By now the first few spots were falling and it wasn't long before I'd be sampling the first of many bus stops in my magical mystery tour of the bus stops of Lower Austria. This was merely an overhang from a workshop - poor. Eventually eased & I made it to Zwettl - next bus stop. More lengthy, functional and view of a tyre workshop. By now the rain was pretty grim and the forecasts were equally grim. So after about 30 mins of waiting & hoping I bowed to the inevitable soaking. What was decided was that the long route was binned off. Unfortunately the climb count went up. Couple of climbs in, soaked and hungry, another bus stop - flowers, view and even a phone - proper job... Lots of rolling stuff and eventually the rain did subside. All that was left to decide was steep b road or more shallow a road with manic drivers. Ended up mixing it up. Final climb 8 miles from home - downhill all the way, except there was a bit of a cock-up. In changing the route I hadn't checked the final destination & it took me to the hotel I'd originally planned to stay at - the opposite side of town. Got a sinking feeling when signs advertising it appeared. Never mind, the sun was out. Checked in - big room, cooking facilities and stiflingly hot. Borrowed receptions fan. Washed myself and clothes then off to explore. Down to the Danube. On the way passed an Aldi & had a brainwave - cook some pasta - easy. Had a short walk along the river and then picked some bits for tea. Should've thought. Got back & not a single bit of kit & the microwave wasn't working. Fuming. Went out to find reception was closed. What to do. Quick dash back to Aldi to pick up a cheap baking tray. Had a short cycle a bit further towards where the route should have come into Krems. Then back for some bodged pasta. Wasn't bad.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Soaked again.
July 26, 2023 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Ominous sounds of rainfall were heard throughout the night so it was with some trepidation the curtains were drawn. Damp but not raining. Breakfast, grabbed bike & paid. Back down to the Danube for what was the basis of the next 3 or so days cycling - should be flat. Looked like there was a tailwind into the bargain. Quickly into my stride but all that came to a grinding halt - there was a guy squatted by his bike hammering away with what turned out to be a stone. Stopped & offered help. Darius was on a 4 month cycle without any tools. I hid my horror (I think) and offered the use of my sparse kit. We botched it up but his front carrier needed refitting. We chatted away trying to ignore the annoying noise and he made a sharp exit at the next town hoping for a bike shop. Ambled away for a little while further - saw a huge carp jump out the water. Crossed one of the many hydro-electric damns and spotted a nearby pier to try and get a better view - not chained off. Just as I left a family approached - the little lad instantly wanted to wander over seeing that I had - parents didn't look keen. Big kid... Flat with a tailwind meant the miles rattled off and was only disturbed by some uber professional cyclists zooming past me then slowing up. All matching gear no idea. Just before stopping for lunch, coming off the main path a deer darted in front of me - not sure who was more shocked. Lunch was with around 12 to go. Settled down by a lake just as a game old lady was heading in for a dip. Looked cold - she maintained not. She was impressed by the idea of cycling from Prague to Budapest - I maintained it wasn't so much. Pondered climbing upto the nearby castle but apparently it was closed and you couldn't get to see the impressive views. Saved me a climb I guess. Approaching Vienna and the first spots of rain were felt. Managed to shelter under an underpass. Was I going to be lucky - nope. Managed to get a bit lost & while trying to decipher the SATNAV the heavens opened. Absolutely drenched before I could even look for a bus stop. Glad to get to the hostel to dry out. Early tea at the hostel and then chanced my arm going back out to the big wheel. Be rude not to. Thought about heading to one of the palaces after but felt a few spots so dashed back. As it happened it didn't rain.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Korean camera carnage.
July 27, 2023 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Route had been adjusted to try and have a bit of a mooch around Vienna, without fearing for a soaking. For once the weather played ball. Just the small matter of figuring out Vienna's bike lane setup. They can be superb, vanish, allow you to go down 1 way roads but not always. They can be pavement, sometimes indicated but again not always. And as for the cobbles and tram lines - the devil has a hand in those bastard inventions. Took in the ornate roof of St Stephan's Cathedral - didn't climb but have many moons ago. Up the hill to Belvedere Palace - scooted round the parks - v posh. As for the Koreans taking endless photos with endless poses - not impressed. As it happened the SATNAV on the way out took a route past the Rapid Vienna stadium. The vast number of lorries suggested something was happening. The characters queuing suggested it wasn't something to my taste - Rammstein as it turned out. Again, a gate open, but guarded this time. Chanced my arm and the bloke was wavering but the women with him jumped in with a flat no. Nothing lost, though it would've been interesting to see. Now to getting across the Danube - and the spiral access to the bridge was great fun on the way down. All a slow start to the day in terms of distance. Flat market farming land, a tailwind, well maintained road & little to distract meant the next 20 miles rattled along very quickly. A final Austrian bus stop break and a final Austrian palace. Then the small matter of the border.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
The Iron Curtain
July 27, 2023 in Slovakia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Curiously, I entered Austria on a cycle bridge and left that way as well. On this occasion, the Freedom Cycle bridge, had been talked about for decades but only enacted in 2012. The original route missed this and Devin Castle out. Would've been a mistake. Ummed and ahhed about paying to go in. But the views from the higher castle were stunning - all with the backdrop of the Danube. Caught a glimpse of the bridge with the help of a telescope - too many trees around it. Around here, there were a number of memorials to those who lost their lives trying to get across the border during communist rule. The heart of Europe monument was made with barbed wire from the fences. Had a late lunch watching the epically big cruisers battle against the current of the Danube.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Brilliant Bratislava.
July 27, 2023 in Slovakia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Just the small matter of 7 miles to Bratislava. Checked in and located my 'pod' - a more secluded version of a dorm - there are 10 pods in the room but you wouldn't know it. Cleaned up & off to explore. Headed down to the UFO observation deck, so called because it looks like a UFO. Ambled through the old town taking in the Cumil statue in honour of the country's sewage workers. Lots of shady green spaces and pedestrian areas - all very civilised. No queue at all for the observation deck which was good. Cursed not taking my glasses but still some stunning views. Back down and thoughts of tea. Further down the river had been recommended as a possible area & what do you know - there was a Wagamama. Nice stroll along the river, past the 'beach' Noodles by the river & in the sun. Happy days. Took a different route back taking in the inverted pyramid that is the Slovak Radio building and the water based madness that is freedom square. All in all, really like Bratislava - very walkable and pretty place.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Hungry in Hungary
July 28, 2023 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Surprised to see drab, grey skys. At least the most was made of the sunshine yesterday. Bizarre mixture of things for breakfast & no rolls to cadge for lunch. Still, a relatively early start. Across the tram and bike bridge which had seated quiet areas half way across & when you think about it as bridges go it is relatively quiet. Even had a guy doing some painting. Once off the bridge the cycle lanes were hit & miss. When resorting to the road, again the shoulder was erratic in quantity to the point where4 there was none & the verge was used. Relieved to hit the cycle route. First stop - Gerulata Roman fort. Got there to find it closed. In fairness it did look a little underwhelming. Pushed on towards the Danubiana Modern Art Museum. Not really my thing but the surroundings looked nice. On arrival, again it looked closed but thankfully not. Decided to bite the bullet and ignore the jazz music being piped in. From the roof you got a sense of it almost being an island & it was quite tranquil. A lot of the stuff was a bit pretentious but it was a nice walk / break from cycling. There were some sun loungers down by the river which helped the relaxation. And I learned something - Andy Warhol was of Slovak heritage - his birth name was Warhola, with both his parents being from Slovakia. Only about 10 miles down 40 to go and the vast majority was straight as a die along the Danube. Sounds idyllic - cycling along the river but it became a little tedious. Little things became the focus - watching the swifts dancing around catching insects. The grasshoppers jumping out of my way. Pings as they hit the spokes & thuds if it was the panniers. One landed on the handlebars - realised its mistake and scarpered. Ended up racing one of the barges & made it to the lock complex 1st. Watched it go through, which was interesting. All this & not a shop in sight. Definitely hungry & thirsty. Google suggested a shop just off the route - assured it was open. It was not. Pushed on over the border & was given the choice - motorway or shitty gravel track. Given how much of a bully boy the police looked at the border, gravel was chosen. Amazed at no puncture & still no shop. First shop located with 7 miles to go. The shop keeper recounting a Queen song to me - happy soul - the shop itself seemed a little forlorn. Pop and chocolate to get me through. Priority on arriving in Gyor was rehydration salts. Not enough drink & too much sweating.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Hopping over the border.
July 29, 2023 in Slovakia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
An alfresco breakie for once this trip and not a bad spec either in the hotel courtyard. Once packed, had a little mooch around Gyor then headed off. Wasn't long before the cycle lanes began & this time we weren't talking a mess of gravel. The surface was superb and didn't peter out. Negotiated some industrial stuff and then it was into the rural heartland. For a while the route followed a little river and this is more, albeit naively, what I expected from the Danube Way. Crossing back and forth, fields filled with different crops and exploring little villages. Made it to the first main stop - just under half way by about 10ish. Good going. A 1900's ish fort, which according to Google was closed. On arrival (just in case) the greeting was soldiers being shouted at (or was it me?) Bit uneasy. Saw some people walk past them and be ignored so it looked like it was open. Well done Google again. Had an interesting little explore, watching the people play at being soldiers and yet another view of the Danube. Onwards & back across the border to Slovakia again to Europa Court - a plaza modelled on the architectural styles of each European country. Had an ice cream and enjoyed the mist spray coolers.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
A strange Hungarian version of St Helens
July 29, 2023 in Hungary ⋅ 🌙 22 °C
Post ice cream, it was back over the border to Hungary and the bike lanes continued though in places they were labelled as tractor / horse and cart lanes - no matter at least the mad drivers weren't my concern. Getting across the numerous level crossings however was - lethal. Next stop was the lakeside resort of Tata - lunch stop and with only 10 to go. Settled down in a shady spot by the lake, watched the comings & goings both on the lake and lakeside. Very pretty - also quite busy. From here Tatabanya was signposted but strangely it was unclear when it began. Before getting to the hotel I went through various districts (ish) and none seemed central. Lots of Soviet looking tower blocks then in a stone's throw you seemed to be back in the sticks. Just down the hill from the hotel were three supermarkets all next to one another & nothing else. That is apart from the athletics stadium the hotel overlooked and the mining museum round the corner from Aldi. Clearly it was formerly a mining town but felt more like lots of little towns. On arrival the provincial theme continued - Not a word of English & she wasn't keen on Google's attempts either. At the moment Google isn't doing so well for me. In fairness she hunted down the AIRCON remote for me. Once cooled down, decided to have a little look at the mining museum. Unsurprisingly no-one spoke English though one of the other people visiting suggested she'd translate the tour guide. Didn't think that was fair on her so photographed the map & key and mooched on my own. Interesting window on life in Soviet times. Back to the hotel & thunder was rumbling as was an athletics meet. As the heavens opened I sat on the balcony watching the athletes compete in the rain. Decided to opt out of walking to the rather distant restaurants that might or might not be open according to Google. Lidl was definitely open and close enough.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Some you win, some you lose.
July 30, 2023 in Hungary ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
Relatively lazy start to the day. Breakie was at 8 and the cycle could be anywhere from 36 - 55 miles depending on the weather and the forecasts were not promising. Checked out & almost got away without paying. She came dashing out after me. Not that it was that pricey. It was at that point the rain came. Sheltered for a while but at some point it was a grin and bear it situation because there was no imminent prospect of better. A matter minutes and I was soaked. A matter of a couple of miles and a pot hole and the first puncture of the trip. Some vague shelter under a tree and some road side bike servicing I claimed to enjoy - pah! Was a swift replacement inner tube job except when back on the road there was a regular thud. Checked that no spokes had gone - the wheel was still true(ish) - think the pothole buckled the other way and it was both annoying and concerning. Nothing to be done though, other than worry. Pushed onto to the solitary stop - the Pancho Arena - one of the most unique football stadiums in the world, built for a 3rd tier (at best) team. It just happens to be the president's home town - I'm saying nothing more... A bit further than expected but in a village a stadium kind of stands out. Followed signs for home and away fans & no-one was at the gate so just sailed through. Started the usual circumnavigation of the stadium and as luck would have it, there was a gate open. Parked up and had a little explore. A lady went through at the same time & said nothing. A couple of other people were around and equally ignored me. Carried on to the front, quite unique. Took in the statue of Puskas and the private parking spot of the president right by the VIP entrance. Carried on round to where I was planning to come in and was roundly shooed out and away as was a Swiss guy I got chatting to. The guard wasn't for tourists taking photos. Told him there wasn't a guard at the other entrance & wished him luck. Clearly luck evens out, not that the rain stopped, nor the thumping from the wheel. Ah well. Classic rolling terrain and rain - all felt very British and mad drivers getting way too close. On the last climb into Budapest, some old guy greeted me at the summit with a round of applause. Wouldn't get that in the UK. Downhill to the hotel and dryness.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Dry at last.
July 30, 2023 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Took quite a bit of cleaning - particularly the legs. Clearly not the cleanest of roads. Fair bit of chilling while eating lunch then boredom took hold. The weather had cleared - it was dry so out & about. Simple walk along the Danube to admire the Parliament building that was modelled on the UK version. Figured I'd go down to the crooked bridge then come back. Unfortunately it ballooned somewhat - the bridge back - the chain bridge was closed to pedestrians so it became a bit longer and the sun was out so also a bit hotter. Good to get a handle on the distances and where things are. Saw the memorial to those killed by the Nazis in the war. Apparently they were lined up on the bank, told to take their shoes off and shot. Quite a striking monument. Got back and needed some cooling off time then back out for tea. Thai - had to be. On the way back took in sunset on the Liberty Bridge.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Marriage photo mayhem.
July 31, 2023 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Agonised, the previous night, over when to go up to the Fisherman's Bastion. When would the sun be in the best place, when would it be quietest, when would the queues for the funicular be the most humane. Didn't really decide but did read that before 9 they didn't charge & really early it can be quite quiet - like sunrise early - big ask but I was awake at 5. Free & quiet were big selling points. Could be up and back in time for breakie. The decision was made. In addition it was pleasantly cool. Lots of steps up though but the views were stunning, that's if you could get to them through the raft of wedding photos going on. Couldn't quite get my head round it. Was it before the wedding - if so I presume they don't subscribe to the unlucky seeing the bride thing. If they do then it must be after & by that token at 6 it is well after. Anyway probably photo bombed a few. The top levels were free at this time but on going up an irate restauranteur gave 10 tonnes - gave a little back but neither really understood. Moved onto the other top tier where he couldn't see. Again had to put up with Oriental photo perfection but at least there was only 1 couple rather than multiple. Back down for breakie.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Creaking bike.
July 31, 2023 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
The original plan had been to visit Momento Park - a collection of Soviet relics - on the way in from Tatabanya but the copious rainfall had put paid to that. However the suspect noises being produced by my poor battered bike had steadily got worse over the day & it seemed prudent to see how it coped with the distance needed to get to the airport. Cut to the chase - it wasn't happy - the rear bearings sounded bad after just a couple of miles. Thinking to be done. Got to the park to find it opened at 10. Half an hour of thinking time. Found a well reviewed bike mechanic on the route back. Pop in & see what they say. The park eventually opened & they were definitely going for the Soviet memorabilia. Interesting take on displaying rather than destroying. Particularly liked the Trabbie - they must've been grim though. Apparently you had to put a deposit down of half the cost and you'd wait between 8 - 10 years for delivery. Made out of cotton waste and resin - the world's first recycled vehicle (ish) Back to base via the bike shop and the first slot available was 20th August - not much use. He was very apologetic. More thinking to do and a bit of chatting with the old man. Opted for a taxi to the airport.Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Chimney cakes.
July 31, 2023 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Got back to discover the Sunset stand up boarding tour along the Danube I'd booked had been cancelled. They claimed due to the weather - the sunny forecast suggested otherwise. Decided to go to the local thermal baths - something that Budapest is famous for. Little bit of a walk but it might de-stress. Very slick operation though the rules took a bit of following. Had to get a swimming hat, had to shower before & after, had to have some slippers. Think the last one got lost in translation - flip flops or sandals. Anyway, it's probably one if the most ornate places I've swam in. The main pools were cool but the thermal pools were nice & toasty - could've easily dozed off. Chopped and changed between pools. Nice to finally get a swim in this holiday. Eventually succumbed to reality & headed out. Across the river was the famous market hall. Had a little wander & couldn't resist trying the chimney cake - kind of like a coiled doughnut but less greasy. Very nice. Then back to pack...Read more
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Imperial Capitals Bike Ride John Bickerstaff
Inside knowledge.
August 1, 2023 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Kind of hoped that everything that could have gone wrong did yesterday. Trip cancelled, bike struggling & bike shops not able to help. The big concern was a taxi turning up and taking one look at the bike bag and scarpering. In fairness the hotel had been made aware & had repeatedly maintained that all was well. Until the bike was at Budapest airport, then all was not well and as a consequence sleep eluded me. Went for a final stroll along the Danube and things seemed quiet enough. Had a little check on Google to see the expected travel time and it said 30 mins of traffic jams. Now obviously Google hasn't covered itself in glory this trip but concern set in, despite giving a ridiculously early arrival time. Decided to decamp to the reception so when the taxi got in it was a quick turnaround. In fairness he was 20 mins early and he had an estate car - back seats down and we were away. Very chatty - interested in what I had done, very keen to talk about Liverpool's new Hungarian signing - level headed and brought up the right way. All sounds good but in a country that votes for a right wing egotistical nut job I'll take it with a little pinch of salt. Still it was interesting to hear his take & we got to the airport in the 40 he said rather than the 90 Google said. Quick rearrangement of luggage as the carry on could be checked in for free - so lighten the bike bag - just in case. Told to leave it by a door & someone would take care of it. Sounded a bit dubious but what choice was there. Settled down to wait for the almost inevitable delay - 30 mins late but that only eats into the 3 hour layover in Frankfurt and emergency exit seats on both flights so things are ok. Oh and in the space 40 minutes we've flown the route that was cycled in 8 days.Read more
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Trip end
August 1, 2023