We've been away 6 weeks today! Yay!
Started the day with an attempt at breakfast in the Butlins canteen. Suffice to say, our first impressions didn't change with repeated exposure. Cereal was OK mind.
The plan today was to reach Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. A distance of approx 60 miles and the last instalment of the Tatra's for us.
The day dawned hot again though more overcast than of late which helped to keep temperatures more manageable on the ascents.
We left the hotel at around 09:30 to pick up Route 537 where we left off yesterday and straight into a delicious descent. This helped us to knock out the first 10 miles or so with little effort and in very short order. About bloomin time!
We crossed the main E50 motorway (uuugh) and continued on our way via Routes 18 and 72 in very light traffic.
Once complete, these two roads would see us traverse the Low Tatra's to add to the High Tatra's already knocked off over the past two days.
Shortly after crossing the motorway the road headed in an upwards direction from which it didn't deviate for the next 15 miles and nearly 700m.
We spun away with tired legs and flagging spirits until about halfway to the summit. A roadside restaurant beckoned.
Coffee, pop and choccy later, we were re-energised enough to complete the rest of the climb.
As the road levelled we took in the view, sipped some water and pointed Disharmony II downwards for the mother of all descents. 20 miles and 750m of descent later, the road levelled out.
At a confusing set of roadwork's, we attempted to make life difficult for ourselves by taking a wrong turn but after a couple of miles we discovered our error and turned tail.
We passed through the town of Podbrezova which appeared to have the biggest steel re-processing plant in the known universe. In fact, the plant seemed to be the whole town. When we get proper Internerd access, we'll check out what secret mission is being carried out there.
A few miles later we pulled over for the obligatory CAKE, coffee and weeee break. Shortly after stopping, we were sent a message from the Big Man and the heavens opened.
What followed was an uninterrupted couple hours of the heaviest rain, the thunderiest thunder and the ...oh you get the message!
We waited out the storm for a suitable lull and in full Gore-Tex, made a break for freedom.
30 seconds later, it all came down again. How we laughed.....
Within minutes we were drenched and had to pull in again as we could see neither the road nor the other road users.
We were still in good spirits though having effectively 'finished' the Tatra's on schedule and the warm rain and head to toe bath did nothing to dampen our mood.
Happily, in a slight let up, we spied a big orange sign advertising an hotel in a small town that we had just passed.
Our plan to reach Banska Bystrica was rapidly abandoned 10 miles from target in favour of an earlier finish with half a chance of drying out before morning.
'Abart Tarn' instructed Tracey and we legged it back up the road and splished and sploshed our way to the digs for the night.
We were pleasantly surprised with the hotel, the food and the price. Three out of three ain't bad.
Bet you can't guess what we had for dinner!? You bet, that Eastern European staple.....pi...oh you've guessed already!
Back to the room for a well earned gonk. Hopefully tomorrow will see a reduction in the climbing for a bit.
Today a moderately hilly, spectacularly descending and jolly damp total of 53 miles and 745m of ascent! Total trip 2181 miles.
More Southerly ramblings to follow.
Back soon. Miles & Tracey.
