Distance: 130 km
Time: 6 hrs 28 min.
Speed: 19.6 km/hr
Climbed: 1273 ft
AHR (Average Heart Rate) 93 bts/min
Cum Distance: 1234 km
Cum Climbed: 21,651 ft.
Punctures:0.
We regarded today as a recovery day after the last two hectic ones, although today’s distance was longer than the other two combined. But it was virtually flat with the odd rise here and there.
And weather today was just perfect; cool morning rising to low 20’s in afternoon, a little shower to cool us down around the 100 km mark and coats off for the last 30 km.
Pulled out of the hotel at 7.30 as usual in our usual group of 5 (Cathy, Graham, Susie, Judy and self) armed with a list of directions as long as your arm. Some of us had the first half written down and others with the rest.
Within 6 km we were out of the built-up area and turned onto a less favourable surface on Str. Luncilor. This slowed us down as did the dirt roads further on thus accounting for our apparent slow speed for the day. On smooth roads we tipped along at 24 km/hr. 
Along this street (actually road) many houses had stalls with pears for sale. It had been the same yesterday on the way into town.
It was great that everyone rode today in spite of some coming to some grief yesterday - a fall on the descent with a bruised knee, hit by a fallen stone and another having tummy problems all during that descent. That’s the dynamic of this group, a team of can-do people. Well done to all.
The general topic of conversation this evening was the tussle with dogs along the route. There are many dogs inside those house enclosures barking at us (no problem), there are plenty of hang-me-down dogs about, not the least interested in us. Only once so far have I seen a dog wagging its tail with excitement with its owner.
But today we came across plenty of ones game for the chase. We all had the same experiences. On 4 occasions we were the target. The first time it was just one dog and I succeeded in getting him between the eyes with a squirt from the bottle. End of story. The next time near Merisaam, there were about 4 of them coming at us from the left. We just put the pedal to the metal and burned them off. But it was scary for a while especially for Graham and Susie at the back.
On the other occasions barking back more aggressively at them worked and a car coming in the opposite direction did the trick. Nobody suffered any injury in the course of the ride.
The only injury I sustained today was a bee sting right on the lip just after we passed through Fagetu. Hit by the bee and the sting in straight away. It has swollen up a bit. My only concern is if it will permanently destroy my beauty!!!
Passing through these long strewn out villages we got the usual waves from the people young and old. We stopped with a few and wondered what others were saying about us. One lad cheerily offered a challenge over a short stretch on his bike but pulled up either from exhaustion or because of the policeman ahead. Smiles all round.
Today (now we are in Wallacia) every village had a plentiful supply of shrines each offering the opportunity to light candles. And some were out in the country fields.
We had 4 sections of dirt roads with the first one lasting 6 km and the others about 2 km each. One was particularly rough showing the effects of the rains yesterday. But we all got through. For one later on changed from a perfect freshly laid tarmac road right onto dirt.
We had to negotiate a passage through the large city if Pitesti after about 40 km and the road out of it was particularly scary. Very busy commercial area but only lasted till we passed a large shopping centre. Then back onto quiet narrow roads again.
Much of today’s progress was across a fertile plain and a return to sunflowers that we hadn’t seen for some time. Soil not as black as in Hungary or East Romania.
Lunch today was in a field just of one of the dirt road sections. Not too hot and the daisies and local flowers by our feet. Lunch and a replenishment of sun cream.
Some of the house buildings intrigue me. Obviously there are some very old houses showing their age. A few times I spotted farm buildings with stables/stalls below and hay stored in the framework above. I even spotted one being built. Dwellings seem to be built first, roofed and lived in before anything is done to the outside. Outside Targoviste there were new large wealthy constructions. And as at home Romania has its unfinished.
Rain came for a period of about 20 minutes although the heavy clouds had been moving in our direction over the last 10 km. Rain gear was on for a short snappy hill and as we pedalled through woodland that could have been anywhere in the world.
Shortly after the 100 km mark Targoviste loomed in the distance. Again we had a busy road for the final approach and today drivers seemed to be more inclined to use the horn. But we located the hotel aided by the orange tape marking the route.
Lovely day recovering on the bike. Not as spectacular as the last two days but it sets us up for the final approach to Bucharest tomorrow.
Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.
I want one of those rearview mirrors!
ReplyDelete