Day 16 of 22. Sat Aug 22. Ruse (Bulgaria) to Veliko Tărnovo (Bulgaria)

Distance: 120 km

Time: 6 hrs 32 min.

Speed: 18.3 km/hr

Climbed:  3911 ft

AHR (Average Heart Rate) 111 bts/min

Cum Distance:  1522 km.

Cum Climbed: 26,837 ft.

Punctures:0.

As yesterday finished , so did today begin. Rain. About 5 am it was torrential in that it woke me up. After breakfast it was just heavy. In normal circumstances I wouldn’t have dreamt of going out on the bike.

But the group set out encouraged by the fact that there was a 50% chance of precipitation for the day. And so it turned out. Heavy rain at the start; dry after 30 km, light rain again after 65 km and dry after 95 km. but even when it was dry, it was overcast and at the end we climbed back up into the damp clouds on that final climb.

As we were ready to leave at 7.30 Judy was confronted with two flat tyres. We stayed on till all was rectified (Article 4 of DC International.....We leave no one behind). Finally at 8 am we hit the road.

Within the first kilometre we faced into a 15% climb of about 500 metres with water cascading down against us. It was like trying to surf up the Niagra. No answer but to walk up.

Over the first hour we just covered 15 km between rain and hills. The roads were awash. Attention was needed in case surface water covered potholes.

Clearances showed us that we were in rolling countryside..villages in valleys. Tillage crops draped over the terrain, mostly sunflowers and maize. For a change fields were bounded by hedgerows. It reminded me of cycling through South Wexford.

Today I used the amber sunglasses and it brightened up the surroundings. Anytime I removed them I was amazed how dark it was! 

Our route today was parallel to Highway 5 (E85) but on the eastern side of it. After 33 km we reached Dve Mogili (Two Hills) and had a coffee stop. Now we were on cobbles for a period as we passed through this town of 4000 inhabitants, but banners across the street were unintelligible to us.

Now the rain had stopped (but we reckoned it probably would return) and we careered along at a respectable pace without over-exerting ourselves. Up and down it went till we reached Lunch at 65 km. a welcome stop with hot coffee and tea all prepared by Oscar. That went down well. But the rain also began to come down also.

Trying to follow signposts here is a bit of a problem. So many of them are in Cyrillic script only and I haven’t hacked that yet. In some places I noticed the ’English’ script I'd blackened out. Haven’t we heard of that before!

After lunch we faced into a rough piece of road for a distance but then rewarded by a fine long stretch of slightly downhill before reaching Lozen. Houses here were much as in Romania without that high protective wall around the property.

In Dragonova (95km) we reckoned we deserved a coffee break and dropped into the local shop for sustenance. Drinks and confectionary were good while locals arrived for the Saturday morning drink at the adjacent bar.

At 105 km we crossed over the Jantra river and it showed the effects of recent rains. This is unusual weather for Bulgaria at this time of year. Every other year TdA have come through here the weather has been  extremely dry and hot.

Again I noted their eyes of diesel along the way. At 2.60 lev (= 1.20 euro) it’s much the same as at home.

At 110 km we had arrived in Gorna and negotiated our way through the centre. Nearly there!

Out of Gorna the road began to rise and rise and rise...... We faced into a 4 km winding climb of 7% with many rises of 10% on the way. After over 110 km it was a challenge to stay in the saddle as we ascended into the clouds, but we did. Cathy crested, then myself and Graham was just behind.

A corresponding descent followed down to a river crossing and another climb up into Veliko Tărnovo.this used to be the capital of Bulgaria and castles and fortresses proclaim such. It’s a city built on a number of hills and looking about this evening tire I dos me of Shillong in that respect.....acuity built on hills.

We followed directions through the Main Street (plenty of tourists here) and located Hotel Alegro.

Bikes all locked up and labor the hot shower and soft towels after a great day on the saddle. (In the bathroom I was disappointed to find the toilet rolls not according to Francis Brennan standards! I rectified that.)

Still raining heavily outside so I just nipped around the corner for a bite to eat....The Bikers Club which describes itself as an Irish pub, but the waitress couldn’t indicate any Irish element in the establishment. No problem.....a lovely pasta and a pint cost just over 3 Euro. A number of bikers in eating wore leather jackets bearing the logo ’Bastards of Bulgaria’?

Had a drop of wine also to fit in with the theme and to make me feel part of the stag/hen parties in Kenmare/Killarney tonight. All behave yourselves!

A satisfying day but a pity it wasn't sunny to enjoy the scenery. The next few days are forecast to be good. I want to see the nice side of Bulgaria.

Thank God for the health and tank God for the energy.