Messages

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International / Hungary-Slovakia-Poland Tour - summer 2022

« on: August 08, 2021, 04:03:26 pm »

CHANGE. My touring plans were DELAYED until the July or August of 2022.
(Due to family concerns I am not able to do the tour this year as planned, so I can look for a whole year for a riding partner.)
Yes, I posted this earlier, but since I had to cancel the tour, I am planning ahead in looking for a partner.

I am seeking a riding partner to travel beautiful route from Budapest, Hungary through mountainous Slovakia to southern Poland. This is NOT for the faint of heart. The route will be demanding, but the pace not so. Route should take 7 -10 days. If you like beautiful mountains and scenery (and perhaps to brag about what you accomplished), then this may be of interest to you.

I am 62 years old male. I am not sure if I will ride a Surly LHT (real touring bike), or a carbon fiber Giant TCR racing bike (carrying MINIMAL gear (clothing ONLY, NO sleeping bag). I will be overnight at pensions. This is not my first tour, but now I am not as fast as I used to be. This is the first time to consider riding a racing bike with minimal gear on a tour. Wise? I'll find out.

Route will be on out-of-the-way roads, avoiding traffic, seeking to enjoy the scenery, small towns and quiet. I will send you the exact route to those who respond. It'll be a memorial trip! (If no one responds, I plan to go alone.) The company would be nice.

I am pretty much fluent in Hungarian, so Day #1 (Budapest to the Slovak border) will present NO language problems. I do not know Slovakian nor Polish, so I am happy that my native tongue is English. (I know basic German, but due the terrible things that happened during WWII, it may not be wise to reveal that.)   

My end goal is Odrzykon, Poland (Galicia) where I will do genealogical research on my maternal great-grandparents.

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Routes / SEEKING Riding Partner: Hungary-Slovakia-Poland

« on: July 24, 2021, 11:38:48 am »

URGENT NEED: Riding partner to travel beautiful, HILLY route Budapest, Hungary through Slovakia to southern Poland. NOT for the faint of heart. The route will be demanding, the pace not so. Plan to depart Budapest first week of AUGUST, 2021. Route should take 7 -10 days. Can you say, "ADVENTURE"? If you thrive on it, then by all means, respond!

I am 62 years old male. Normally I ride a Surly LHT (real touring bike), ...but for this trip I will be traveling on a carbon fiber racing bike carrying MINIMAL gear (clothing ONLY, NO sleeping bag). I will be overnight at pensions. This is not my first tour, but now I am not as fast as I used to be. This is my first time to leave the Surly at home. Wise? I'll find out.

Route will be on out-of-the-way roads, avoiding traffic, seeking to enjoy the scenery, small towns and quiet. I will send you the exact route to those who respond. It'll be a memorial trip! (I plan to go alone even if no one responds.) The company would be nice.

My end goal is Odrzykon, Poland (Galicia) where I will do genealogical research on my maternal great-grandparents.

Yes, this is short notice -- but, who knows?!

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Routes / Re: southern Poland

« on: March 30, 2021, 05:03:10 am »

Thanks Don! I greatly appreciate the reply and you sharing your route. I was aiming to go around the High Tatras from the east side. But maybe the west side is better. It is critical for me to find the best route, my wife is not a strong cyclist. We will be taking a tandem, but still I don't want to turn her off. Thanks again!

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General Discussion / Re: Tales of Calamity and Woe

« on: February 06, 2021, 02:16:37 pm »

In 1976 (I was 17) I did not have the money to do an across the country Bikecentennial ride, so a friend and I rode from just north of LA to Bellingham, WA (nearly Canada). 1600 miles in 33 days. Awesome trip for a teen.

On the 4th of July we were at Bandon State Park at the Oregon-California border. Our bikes were parked and locked at our camp site. We had walked down to watch the fireworks, and were on our way up the hill. (Inside the park.) I was walking on the 6" high concrete divider between the road and sidewalk, my riding partners were walking next to me (three abreast). A pickup truck came up the hill behind us, the kid driving was not used to how wide the trailer mirrors stuck out and hit me. Knocked me flat. Nothing broken, but plenty sore. If I had not been that extra 6" higher the mirror would have hit my head. Would I be here today? I doubt it.

The driver was shocked too and did not stop until he got to the top of the hill. His mirror was totally destroyed. (I was proud of that.) The driver was freaked out at hitting me. (I'd hope so!!) He was relieved to know I was "okay". Then he looked at the mirror and said, "I'll tell Dad I hit a pole or a sign." The next day I was riding, but not without some discomfort.

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General Discussion / Re: Free Ranging Dogs and the Cyclist

« on: February 06, 2021, 01:57:52 pm »

Wild dogs??? I have lived in Budapest for 20 years and never heard or experienced wild dogs. Not in Hungary, Austria, Slovakia,... It sounds like an urban legend to me, or a one-time event that has been over-blown.

Regarding safety from dogs. I have found a half-full water bottle to be amply good deterent. A quick flick of the wrist to make the water fly to the nozzel end, followed by a fast, solid squeeze and a steam of water can be easily aimed at the dog's face, which disorients them long enough to get out of range.

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Routes / Re: southern Poland

« on: February 06, 2021, 01:45:22 pm »

Hello,
It looks like you got no response to your request for the Poland-Slovakia tour. Too bad. Did you go? What can you tell me about a route? (Yes, I realize your message is now 15 years old.)

I live in Budapest, Hungary and am planning a trip from Budapest through the Tatras (uggh! wow!) to southern Poland. My mom's great material grandmother was born in ODRZYKON, Poland which will be my destination. My aim is to do genealogical work once I get there.

I know that the Tatras are beautiful but also high, often with steep climbs. Some routes are not terribly bicycle-friendly. At the moment I have a tentative route planned, heading pretty much straight north from Budapest toward Krakow. I will be on Hwy 520 and cross into Poland near Chocholów (tiny village). I know tha there is a nice bike path along the Dunajsem River.

Can you give me any insights?

Regards,   Steve Herrmann