Post #5

Vienna Bound: 11/28/25

We left Budapest with a treasure trove of memories, far exceeding our expectations. The city was almost overwhelming with its vibrant energy. Leaving town was less hectic than our arrival, though navigating the roads still posed challenges. At one point, we got lost trying to cross a bridge, and a man shouted at us for riding on a jogging path. As always, we sorted it out and continued on our way.

We stopped for a quick coffee at McDonald's, a familiar haven when traveling abroad. It's a place we rarely visit back home, but it offers a comforting slice of familiarity. 

After a few more stops for photos and rest, we reached our campsite, Vándorsólyom Kemping, nine miles east of Szob. It's a simple spot—nothing fancy—but perfect for pitching our tents, taking showers, and planning the next few days. Planning is a group effort, with everyone pitching in to map out routes and set goals for the coming days.

Around 5:00 PM, we headed to a fantastic riverside restaurant for dinner. The food was incredible! If we weren’t cycling 30, 40, or even 50 miles a day, I’d worry about how much we’re eating, but those calories are burning fast!

Rode 34 miles

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah

Another Beautiful But Sweltering Day: 08/29/25

The morning kicked off crisp and cool—perfect, except for the squadron of mosquitoes treating us like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Those bloodsuckers were so eager, they practically packed our bags for us. Pro tip: nothing motivates a quick campsite breakdown like donating a pint of blood to the local mosquito blood bank.

Low on breakfast supplies, we decided to hunt for food in the first town on our route. A short 10-mile ride to Szob had us dreaming of pancakes and bacon. But, in classic road-trip fashion, our dreams were crushed—nothing was open. Apparently, Szob’s eateries believe breakfast is a noon-and-later affair.

Undeterred, we pedaled on to the next town, blissfully unaware we’d crossed from Hungary into Slovakia. Surprise! It was August 29, Slovakia’s National Uprising Day, a holiday commemorating the 1944 Slovak resistance against Nazi occupation. It’s a big deal—national pride, and… closed restaurants. Yep, it seemed every diner, café, and food store was closed for the event.

But, in a twist of fate, Slovakia’s ice cream shops and one rogue coffee bar were open for business. Breakfast? Pfft. We embraced the challenge with ice cream iced coffees, waffles drowning in chocolate and whipped cream, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for good measure. Nothing says “balanced diet” like a sugar coma before noon.

By midday, the temperature soared into the mid-90s. Luckily, our accommodation in Moca was just a short ride away—a cozy, air-conditioned studio with two queen beds. We showered off the road grime, whipped up some dinner, and played cards while a rain storm serenaded us, hammering the metal roof. Dry and happy, we called it a night.

We rode 41 miles

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah

Here Comes the Rain: 08/30/25

Last night was cozy—to put it mildly! Four adults, who are getting to know each other, sharing a single room is like a reality show waiting to happen. What do you wear to bed when you’re bunking with near-strangers? Pajamas? Your Walmart best? And how do you sneak to the bathroom with everyone parked right outside the door? Not a chance! Sleeping habits come alive in close quarters—one person’s gentle snoring is another’s midnight symphony. But we survived until morning, mostly unscathed and semi-rested, ready to face the day… or so we thought.

Unfortunately, Susie woke up with a migraine that stopped the morning progress. The sky was clear, practically begging us to hit the road, but she was down for the count. In times like these flexibility becomes the name of the game. After some quick strategizing, Craig and Susie decided to stay put for another day, while Sarah and I pedaled on. The plan? We’d all reunite in Vienna, where we’d booked an Airbnb for a three-day visit of the city.

Off we went into the sticky, humid morning, our first mission: food. We rolled into a charming café in Komárno and treated ourselves to heavenly coffee and bagel breakfast sandwiches. Nothing says “adventure” like caffeine and carbs in a picturesque setting. 

As we savored our meal, we checked the weather map—uh-oh. Rain. Buckets of it, forecasted for the evening. A rainy night in a dry tent can be oddly soothing, like nature’s white noise machine, until you’re wrestling with a soggy tent at dawn. So, plans changed again. Thank goodness for cell phones! With a few taps, we booked a hotel down the road using our native language—no charades required.

We finished our coffees and pedaled through the village, where the downtown looked like it had been plucked from a postcard. Not long after breakfast, my stomach demanded an all-American snack attack. We popped into a small grocery store and loaded up on… let’s call them “nutritional treasures.” Healthy? Debatable. Food? Technically. Delicious? Absolutely, and I regret nothing.

We made it to our hotel in Gyor, Hungary just before the skies unleashed their wrath. There was time to shower, nap, and grab dinner. When the clouds finally burst, we didn’t care. We were snug as bugs in a rug, tucked in for the night… at least until morning, when we’d probably face a whole new set of snap decisions.

We rode 42 miles

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah

A Bratislava Blast: August 08/31/25

The night drenched Gyor in rain, leaving us to wake up to gray skies and slick streets. Luckily, our hotel’s breakfast buffet was calling our names, and we dove right in. Over breakfast we struck up a delightful conversation with some folks from Málaga, Spain. It was a brief moment but always a pleasure to meet fellow travellers. We waved goodbye and shuffled back to our room, bellies full and spirits high.

Minutes later, a knock at the door! Our new friend,  Juan José, was standing there and handed me his contact info—complete with a heartfelt note and an invite to visit their home in Málaga. Well, guess who’s already daydreaming about tapas and sunshine?

With the rain taking a breather, we hopped on our bikes and pedaled out of town on mostly dry roads, the Sunday morning traffic blissfully light. As we crossed a bridge, we spotted a rowing race below and—lo and behold—there was one of our breakfast buddies, oars slicing through the water. We gave him a cheery wave as he glided under the bridge.

Just after the bridge Mother Nature was quickly busy at work: 15 mph headwinds battered us all day. It was like pedaling through molasses—one step forward, two gusts back. Still, we powered through, fueled by a pit stop at a cozy village bakery. Let’s just say we embraced our baked goodies with zero regrets.

Rolling into Bratislava, Slovakia, we crossed another bridge when a guy hollered, “I know you!” Turns out, our trusty bike was the real celebrity—its quirky frame gave us away. We’d met this fellow weeks ago at a campground outside Novi Sad. Small world, huh?

By 5:00 PM, we cruised into the bustling town square, where the energy was electric. A young Polish couple snapped our photo like we were rock stars, and a Russian duo high fived us with gusto. Talk about a warm welcome! We settled into our hostel, a steal at 50 euros, and found it surprisingly charming for the price. It was right downtown and could not have been in a better location.

With too little time and too much to see, we showered and headed out for dinner. I savored a traditional Slovakian chicken dish slathered in mushroom sauce, while Sarah devoured her peach-sauced chicken. Both were so mouth wateringly divine, we nearly licked the plates. 

After dinner we strolled the historic downtown for hours, soaking in the twinkling lights and even trekking up to the fortress castle perched on a hill, gazing over the city. Bratislava? Absolutely stunning. It’s a must-visit gem we’d recommend to anyone looking for beauty and charm.

Rode 48 miles

Keep on rolling,.

Scott and Sarah