An Ordinary Introduction to Slovakia

Krakow to Budapest Stage 7 – Strážnice to Malacky 65 Km (Tue 25 Sep 2018)

Weather: 1⁰C min – 13⁰C max, fine but overcast, windy

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“Life is what you make it” ~ Grandma Moses

On any bike tour there are spectacular days and there are ordinary days. Today fell into the latter category. It didn’t help that the temperature only got as high as 13 deg C after dipping to a low of 1 deg C overnight.

In contrast to the last two days of perfect cycle paths in Czech Republic, it was all on long, straight, busy roads today in Slovakia. It seems that Slovakia has not made the same investment in cycling infrastructure as Czech.

Scenery consisted of fairly ordinary countryside, dark forests and unremarkable little towns. Photographic opportunities were few and in any event the dull light was not ideal for photographs.

Still you have to take the good with the bad. At least most of the roads were smooth and had a generous shoulder to ride on, so there were no safety concerns. It was just a matter of putting my head down and powering along, enjoying riding if not the surroundings and the constant roar of traffic.

The town of Malacky, where I am staying tonight, lacks appeal too. Tomorrow will be a more interesting day with my destination of Bratislava being something to look forward to. Hopefully my camera will go into overdrive to make up for today’s disappointment.