Day 8

It seems that we left the ambit of Mária of Pócs, since today started and went on rather lubberly, but it ended way better and merrier. During the hours of the night it started raining in those tiny drops that are so bothersome for bikers, and it seemed like it didn’t ever want to stop. We hoped that the copious buffet breakfast and the hot tea would make us forget the unpleasant drizzle, but it didn’t work out. But the 11th Bike Expedition won’t get scared of such an ’airy’ obstacle. Digging in our heels, we visited the enormous fortress complex in that cold and rain.

We stepped in awe on the thousands of years old stones, waved down to our tents, went into the tower, and under a sunshade everyone found the free wifi. Thus we had sent a few messages for our folks worrying at home and could like Zsolt’s latest posts. Then we returned to our improvised campsite. We packed up our tents and the kitchen, and got ready to set off. It required a great amount of courage to take off in such cold rain. Luckily for us, the distance planned for today was only 40 kilometers, all the way to Ménhárd.

Our first and only big stop was at Levoča. There in the parking lot Paul pulled out the equipment and made tea for the drenched and cold crew. Along with the tea they got some wafers and crackers. The initial plan was to visit the city, but it didn’t really work out: after gathering under some stoop and getting the hot tea we didn’t really wish for anything else. Except for a thermal bath, of course! Only this was before our eyes when we set off in the bothersome drizzle, and we knew that the hardest part was just about to come: climbs and the remaining half of the total distance. Our crew stood firm daringly, but safely. So that nobody would be bored, in the meantime we found out that there are several problems with our accomodation. Zsolt rapidly ran ahead to take action. The tents didn’t really prove to be very good for protection, many of these soaked through and the air became really cold. The campsite where we should have gone to was found closed. Then, after searching through the whole town, they successfully found a warm house and safe roof for the bikers and the organizers. So in the end this was also solved, we got a whole mansion and smaller hotel rooms next to the bath.

When the bikers arrived to Vrbov, as known as Ménhárd, the hot broth and goulash was steaming on the table. We can’t deny that it was welcomed, mainly after the cold adventure; but to tell the truth, we like Paul’s food more! Full and warmed up, we had only one thing left to do: to bathe! Ménhárd is famous for its Thermal Park, and the brand new strand pampered our tired muscles. We relaxed in the hot water, and it felt really good after today’s troubles.

After this we ate dinner, settled in and soon fell asleep. We hope that tomorrow the weather will be more agreeable, so we can go on on our bikes towards the fortress of Nedec, thus crossing another border.