9 September 2017: Komarno to Esztergom, Hungary

Mileage: Today-38; Total-578

Mornings are starting out warmer, needing jackets for only a few miles. Soon the tights are off as well. Today was the last significant cycling day, at least with loaded bikes. Tomorrow, we take the train or boat from Esztergom to Budapest to avoid riding into such a large city. So, low key riding with few opportunities for getting off course and lost.

Our Hotel Forras, had a huge lap pool—decent breakfast included.

OK, this next bit is for the amusement of Stuart's Frederick Peddlers Monday night cycling group. I offer this as two examples of Stuart competing with the local cyclists. Enjoy, Stephen, and share with your Monday night mates.

Contestant #1, the Unknown Hungarian Cyclist

Contestant #2, Stuart, representing the Frederick Peddlers.

Pursuit

Gaining Ground

Pulling left for the pass

The Pass

Done and Dusted

Yes, that's the top speed in MPH. Another win for the Frederick peddlers.

Crap Road Surface. The stretch near the abandoned collective farm was one of the poorest encountered.

Collective Farm Headquarters.

Collective Offices

Rusted razor wire fence topping the chain-link fencing. No idea why anyone would want to get inside.

Some of the former collective farm housing is occupied. I surmise the price is right.

Thinking we might get back to the EV6 Bike Trail along the Danube, we started off on a concrete path that deteriorated into gravel, then dirt, and then this sign.

We met these fine gentlemen on the other side of the fence that directed us back to the road for a few more miles before the trail reappeared.

Back on the EV6.

An entrepreneur taking advantage of the market offered by cyclists on a major European touring route.

Just another fine village church.

This tiny bakery caught my eye.

Bicycle road art.

Disappointed to not see any horse-drawn wagons, but lots of warning signs.

Roadside sculpture.

Back to the Danube.  Much of the EV6 in Hungary is miles away from the River.

Local Hungarian cyclists. OK I had the small .3 ml glass, they had the full .50 plus a shot of schnapps. 

Stephen, here is race number two, Stuart was at it again. Note that two of the cyclists in the touring 3-person peloton were also riding Octavo folding bicycles. Presented, frame-by-frame.

Waiting for Team Octavo member #3.

Team Octavo restarts; Stuart of the Frederick Peddlers visible on approach in the yellow jersey.

The race is on.

Team Octavo gets a gap.

Closing the gap?

Not yet. Team Octavo surges.

The diesel kicks in. Stuart closes the gap.

Stuart passes on the left. Note the wide gap to minimize the opportunity for Team Octavo to jump on his wheel for a draft.

Victory. With the two Octavo riders dusted, Stuart pursues the breakaway leader, and soon passes him as well.

Frederick Peddlers: When enjoying your post-Monday night pizza and beer and hearing tales of great touring challenges, this IS training pace. Honest, I had to delete Stuart's shadow to enlarge the photo to read the speed.

Another village church. A bit larger.

Village Hall

Many bakeries, and all are good, with some fantastic.

Road Sculpture

Stan Rogers put it in a song: A boat is a hole in the water that you put your money in.

1st Thatched Roof 

Wild Hops on the Power Pole

Made it, the Cathedral City

As we sat on the patio of a restaurant, we heard the cracking of whips and horses hooves. It was this group initiating a Magyar Festival. 

Hungarians, also known as Magyars (Hungarian: magyarok), are both a nation and an ethnic group whose members speak Hungarian and are primarily associated with Hungary. There are around 13.1–14.7 million Hungarians, of whom 8.5–9.8 million live in today's Hungary (as of 2011).

The festival was in a park bordering the Danube. Lots of crafts, food booths, demonstrations, and music in the evening. The following photos were from the festival.

 Austrian Empress, nicknamed Cici. Husband was Franz Joseph, mostly deemed insane. Oversaw the formation of Hungary as a joint country with Austria.

Note the Montana banner.

They roll the pastry dough on in strips, toast over coals, and coat with sugar that is cartelized by the hot coals. 

Downtown Church

Cathedral ofOur Lady of Assumption and Saint Adalbert Esztergrom

 The cathedral on the Castle Hill of Esztergrom dates back over a thousand years. Following the conquest and settlement of the Hungarians, Prince Geza order a church to be built next to his palace and was crowned there Christmas 1000 AD.

 Cathedral Statues

The High Altarpiece, the largest altarpiece in the world painted on a single piece of canvas (13.5  x 6.6 meters). Based on a Titian's The Assumption.

Chapel of Saint Stephe the martyr.

Dog of the Day

Danube from Castle Hill

Castle

Cathedral

Our Lodging. Classing the place  up with our drying bike clothes.

I went back to the festival in the evening. Stuart, due to his sciatica, went next door for a snack and to bed. I had a great evening, soaking the local sights, sounds, and food. 

 Cheese Vendor

Chips

Most people eat them directly. Some vendors make smaller ones and fill them with whipped cream.

Craft Beer, drawing an IPA.

Tokar. Born in Esztergrom, he overheard me asking a question in English, and introduced himself. 

After serving his mandatory military service, he and his wife escaped/emigrated to Austria. If caught, men were imprisoned for 10 years, women for 5 years. They gained admission to the USA and have lived in Reno, Nevada for 30 years. He and his wife visit Hungary annually. Tokar walked me around the festival and explained as much as possible. While he retained a strong accent, he said his wife could speak much better, fluent in 5 languages.

The Csík Band entertains the audience.

Winged Lad vocalist's shoes.

Good stage show (But too much rapping)