Esztergom to Budapest

June 26
57km (659m vertical)

Woke up with a start last night to the sounds of wild winds. The tent was shaking and the trees were whipping back and forth. Soon there were loud cracks of thunder and bright lightening. People got out of their tents to look for hurricanes. Then came torrential rain that lasted an hour or so, and then it all stopped.

Short ride today. Started with a 6km climb up about 500m. Thankfully it was over a forested hill, so most of it was in shade. My knee felt find and I went up briskly, passed all of the other riders on the hill except Bill. Waited at the top until a group of 10 or so had reached the top, and then sped down the other side. Max speed = 65.6km/h, and I was above 50km/h for almost the next 20km to lunch.

Waited at lunch for all the riders to arrive, before heading into Budapest in two large packs. The directions were too complicated to be explained. It was quite the experience to ride into a busy city in a group of 20 cyclists at 25km/h. We went along bike paths, busy roads, and even through a train station (inside the building...at full speed).

My passport was not at the hotel when I arrived. The tour company was supposed to courier it here from Toronto. I was going to apply for a Chinese visa while I was here, but it turns out that the embassy is closed tomorrow a holiday. After much asking, e-mailing and worrying, I found out that my passport was being carried over with a new tour leader that will join the group tomorrow. Phew.

Left our laundry at the laundromat, to be picked up tomorrow morning. Strange system. Had a beer at a cafe and walked around a mountaineering shop. Its Nicole's birthday tonight, so hopefully we had a nice dinner in a nice rester aunt.