8 September 2017: Rajka to Komarom, Hungary

Mileage: Today-72; Total-540

Route. As usual, this route is approximate, as we often had difficulties staying on the EV6 Route. The initial portion, on the 150 leaving Rajka, was not part of the EV6 but had a bike lane paralleling the highway.

With no TV, which seldom matters, and outside patio internet, it was early to bed and early to rise. I paid our host and we prepared to depart when he asked if we would like some coffee.

Our Coffee-bearing Rajka Host. The 56 F early morning chill was not a problem.

Nearly perfect early morning riding. This part of Hungary is extremely flat. Did-afternoon we finally found a few rolling hills.

I would not attempt to pronounce the name of this town. Moson and Magyaróvár became united 1939, so they simply joined the town names. Unfortunately, this was where Stuart and I were separated. 

Not abandoned. While first appearing abandoned, not the flowers in the windows and bicycles.

Dog of the Day #1. István Fekete and his dog at the gates of the castle.  (25 January 1900, Gölle, Austria-Hungary – 23 June 1970, Budapest, Hungary) was a Hungarian writer, author of several youth novels and animal stories.

He is perhaps best known for his youth novel Tüskevár ("Thorn Castle", 1957), about two city boys' summer holiday at the corner of Lake Balaton and Zala River, their experiences, adventures, contact with Nature in its genuine form. They are helped by an old man on their gradual journey into manhood. This novel was awarded the Attila József Prize in 1960, was made into a film in 1967 (see its IMDb entry) and was voted to be the 8th most liked novel of Hungary in the Big Read in 2005. Its sequel was Téli berek ("Winter Grove", 1959).

This novel, as well as Vuk: The Little Fox and Thistle, were also in the top 100 of the Big Read. (Wikipedia)

The following 5 photos are of the castle complex in Mosonmagyaróvár.

Castle Entrance. 

Castle

Silage from the local corn. Later we passed a hog feeding complex comprising perhaps 50 huge sheds.

Flat

The EV6 is fairly well marked in Hungary, but the best markings are turn-by-turn painted arrows, probably by one of the touring groups. 

Sure, you pronounce this one as well.

The quality of Hungarian bakeries is on par with Austria. Even grocery stores offer outstanding pastries.

We stopped here for a beer and Coke or tea. You know who had what. These two got into a heated conversation regarding the best route. I programmed my Garmin for Komarno, pretty safe since it was only 14 miles away. The man recommended the same route. However Stuart insisted his map was more accurate. After repeated stops, I simply followed at 8 to 9 mph.

Live Dog of the Day. 

Lined up at the pastry truck. Anyone remember the Omar Brad Delivery Man? Except this guy stops at the village, not rural house to rural house.

Hungarian Uprising? He is holding a Molotov cocktail. Statue in the center of Komarom.

We left Rajka about 7:15, finding a cycle path parallel to the main road about a mile from our starting point. The surface was absolutely smooth, the terrain pancake flat. Very easy riding. After repeated stops to regroup, and no towns in between to offer potentially confusing routes, I just settled into a steady 12 mph nearly effortless pace. If there was any wind, it was a tail wind. 

Today's mileage was our longest, at 72 miles. I think I added 3 or 4 miles, searching for Stuart. Tomorrow should be easier, about 80 km or 50 miles to Esztergom. Stuart used his phone to book a room in the event Saturday night is busy. We are unsure about the boat into Budapest, perhaps only a hover craft that might not take bikes. Alternatively, the train runs hourly, but the boat cruise would be a great finish to our trip and great way to enter Budapest.