Day 3. Thur Aug 6. Komarom (Hungary) to Budapest (Hungary)

Distance: 123 km

Time: 6 hrs 06 min.

Speed: 20.1 km/hr

Climbed: 966 ft

AHR (Average Heart Rate) 113 bts/min

Cum Distance: 307 km

Cum Climbed: 1974 ft.

Punctures: 0

What heat! I’ve never cycled before in 36 deg heat. It was just when we stopped that it really kicked in. I did drink plenty of water but could and should have taken on more. No great ill effects but that bit extra jaded at the end of the day.

This is unusual heat around here. They had heavy rain in Budapest on Wednesday but this spell of 36 deg heat is to continue for another 8 days.

Our speed (Cathy and I) clocked in at 20.1 but for most of the day we moved along at 25 km/hr. The 20 km convoy into Central Budapest accounted for the drop.

Camp started to break quietly at 5.30 am and by 7 all the luggage was ready for loading and breakfast was ready. It was nice and pleasantly sunny before the great heat moved in.

Most of us hit the road before 7.30; no need for convoy start as we were on the edge of town.

Matt had a rear wheel problem (actually a rear tyre problem) and had plenty of opinions available. Checking with Peter (our mechanic) he decided that it was safe to cycle on and rectify matters in Budapest. Another cyclist had a fall when attempting to mount a low kerb at an acute angle but no serious damage bar swelling and some pain. He cycled on.

Judy (US) and Graham (NZ) started out with us but we told them to cycle on while we stopped with Matt. We joined up again at lunch stop (85km)

Cathy and I stopped at Esztergom to visit the large Basilica of St Adalbert perched high over the Danube. It’s the biggest church and the centre of Catholicism in Hungary. It was badly damaged in WW2 and the crypt contains the tomb of Cardinal Mindszenty, a national figure during the 50’s.

I spent some time inside and went towards the stairs to the Dome. Just in front of me was an elderly gent explaining to the gate attendant that he’d sit on the (attendants) chair and wait for the others to come down. I knew he was one of our own for two reasons; the accent and the fact he had a heavy fleece over his arm just in case the evening turned chilly !!! (T’was over 30 outside). I suggested to him to put his hat on his knee and start up a song to collect the entrance fees. Up he starts with “Will you tell me Sean O Farrell...” and I helped out with a little input to ’The Rising of the Moon’. Out comes the cashier and suggests another chair to sit on. We chatted for a while. He is from Listowel but exiled in Roscommon. Had visited Tipp town lately and as a former Board of Works man was appalled at the polluted condition of the Arra. Never a dull moment on a cycling trip when you take time out from the peleton.

Leaving Ezstergom we passed the Maria Valeria Bridge between Hungary and Slovakia. Only built in 1895, it was destroyed in WW2 and only reconstructed in 2001.

We were back on the bike path again. In places the concrete path is cracked and slows progress. Many highways have a bike path alongside and cyclists must use them. Also must wear a hi-viz top when cycling on the open road.

Along here we cycled around the Knee of the Danube at Visegrad where the river for 20 km squeezes through cliffs of rock and heads southwards.

I nearly missed lunch-stop at 85 km and had to be hailed back. This was the hottest part of the day. Judy and Graham rejoined us here as far as Szentendre where the full group reconvened at a drinks stand on the promenade.

I just had to put the head under a fountain for relief. I wasn’t the only one. Time to top up the bottles again and a cold lemon drink.

From Szentendre it was to be a convoy ride (20 km) to the hotel along a zig-zag series of bike paths and cycle lanes and quiet residential areas, onto the public amenity area of Margaret Island. We were glad of the convoy; it allowed the brain to switch off and just follow the leader.

We crossed over to the Pest side (east) and paused in front of the Parliament building for a photo.

By 4 pm we had checked into our 4 star hotel and so glad to get out of the direct sunshine and into an AC atmosphere. All bicycles secured in the conference room and bags (daily and permanent) to be carried up to the rooms.And then the shower was something to wallow in.

Later in the evening I ventured out again into the heat to see a cross-section of this city. Had a beautiful tasty Goulash to bridge me over and restore calories.

As dusk set in, it was off to the Chain Bridge just as the lights were coming on. Lovely lively atmosphere all about. Dropped into a non-Irish Irish pub (The Longford), expressed disappointment no Irish staff and was immediately directed to an Irish Irish pub (Jack Doyles) down the road.

Owned by a Thurles man and a chatty Nenagh girl pulled my pint. Plenty of Irish sporting photos on the walls. They’ll be showing Tipp v Galway live on Aug 16. Music Tonite were just setting up; asked if it would be traditional; “No, Blues. Would you like to sing?” Told them I had done my quota of singing for today already. But the owner gave me directions to a launderette for the morning. (So far,I’ve met Cavan-type men, a Kerryman from Roscommon,The Longford and the dependable Tipp people. What are the chances of meeting all 32 counties on this trip?)

This morning I am here at Bubbles launderette and writing this during the wash and drying process (took last night off from writing the blog).

I explored another piece of the city this afternoon visiting Gelert Hill, Buda Castle, Houses of Parliament and St Stephens Basilica.  And it was at 41 deg for that period with locals utilising street fountains to cool down.

Then rested up early in preparation for another 120+ km tomorrow.

Another fine day’s cycling on Thursday and a city to enjoy today

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