Going a little against the tread, I’d decided not to fit a cycle computer, choosing continents over miles as my preferred unit of measure. But a good friend and former work colleague Tim had been very impressed with fellow English cyclist Myles Mellor’s statistics when he’d reach Istanbul, and suggested it might be interesting if I put some together. So here goes… A careful blend of gut instinct and personal whim. Enjoy.
Distance travelled
3,000 miles / 4,500 km across Europe
Best day by far
Through the mountains to Sofia, Bulgaria – bright but crisp, awesome scenery – well worth the night ride into an unfamiliar Capital city!
Most surreal moment
Police escort in northern Bulgaria, complete with blue flashing lights
Most epic days
Into Istanbul – torrential rain, ferocious traffic, tyre blow-out; Second day in Serbia – 100 miles of mud, mud and more mud, torrential rain, biting cold, and two hours of night riding amidst the potholes to finish; First day on the road – torrential rain and storms on Dartmoor
Favourite stops
Aboriginal Hostel, Budapest, with a breakfast to die for; Tim and Pierette’s campsite at Etables-sur-Mer; Chris, Ruth, Alex and Emily’s home in the hills of eastern Bulgaria
Most intriguing nation
Serbia
Favourite foods
Hungarian goulash; Bulgarian shopska salad and various bits of freshly cooked home reared pig; French chocolate eclairs; Turkish corba (pronounced ’chorba’) soup
Favourite music
Theme from ’Hill Street Blues’; ’Camouflage’ (Stan Ridgway); ’Axel F’ (Harold Faltermeyer)
Things I miss most from home
Family and friends; bacon and egg rolls; my two hundred year old traditional English cottage; Wiveliscombe’s heated outdoor swimming pool
Expedition best buy
Emma – my Thorn eXp expedition cycle; PHD down sleeping bag – cosy; Aspire One netbook
Emma’s contribution
Two punctures, one tyre blow-out, one set of brake pads, one hub gear oil change, various lubricants
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