The first four weeks

Hi there,


First and foremost I wish to thank everybody who has supported us on our journey, and I want to apoloise for the lack of updates on this blog. We have been cycling hard and getting into our routines. We have so far covered 2500km  and have cycled through France, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and are currently in Hungary. As I write this we are in a town called Kecskemet, a historical town about 180km south east of Budapest. 


We are so lucky to be able to cycle through all these amazing countries and have enjoyed every minute of our trip so far. We have been getting stronger each day and now we are fitter than ever, just yesterday we covered 100km with relative ease which included a 700m climb through the Danube Mountain Range! We have been enjoying the contrast between each country and there is no better way to see the change in culture and scenery than by crossing the and border. In England we generaly fly between countries since we are island, but land borders are so much more exciting since you get to see the change slowly happen all around you.


This is no-where more  prevelent than when you cycle between Germany and Czech Republic. This is where Western Europe ends and Eastern Europe begins and we arrived with a real sense of excitement and fear as we did not know what to expect. We crossed the border between the German town of Eslarn and the Czech town of Zelezna, where the highlight is a large mall where the Germans can cross over and take advantage of the falling prices to buy their food, tobacco and washing powder in bulk. They also have a toilet here, which is helpful to those who wish to follow our path since there is not another toilet 30km before or after this point!!


As you arrive at the border the German countryside makes way for Czech forest and the hills become steeper and steeper! Once you reach the first town Bela Nad Redbuzou it is like entering a new world. The buildings are in a state of disrepair, there is nobody around and we could not understand a word. Our nerves were at fever pitch as we continued and the towns got smaller and theremore more barren! It is so exciting to see the difference just 30km can make between the countries from relative safty of Germany to Czech were we were expecting our first dog attack (more on these later!)


Once you reach the first main town of Horsovsky Tyn, this however becomes more western, banks and supermarkets replace abandoned churches and our nerves began to settle, we purchased a beer in a local bar and chatted away to the locals who informed us were we could camp for free and taught us some czech words to make everything easier. We had a great time in this bar and this contined throughout Czech Republic. Everyone was friendly and the countryside was beautiful and it goes to show that our first nerves were nothing to worry about. 


The land crossing is the best way to see the country, and we recommened to anyway to cycle between Germany and Czech Republic since the difference is staggering but don't let a  falling down farm put you off Czech Republic is a fantastic country and best explored on a couple of bicycles!!


Some stats so far


Total Milage: 2760km
Top Speed: 47.90km/hour
Counties Visited: 7
Cheapest Country: Czech Republic (70p a beer)
Most Expensive Country: Belgium


Thanks


Tim & Fin