Poland 🇵🇱 (429,3 km)

Here we go again. I do find starting a new journey more difficult than in my youth. Maybe it’s really the age or it’s the fact that I have done so many already that the excitement is less. But, stubborn as I am, I left for Warsaw.

The Czech railway company was the cheapest option. Strangely, first class was even cheaper than second. And I do love the fact that somebody comes in and brings you your coffee in porcelain mugs. I’m a spoiled brat.
However, it took 15 hours to get from Germany to Warsaw via Prague. Not counting the 1.5 hours I cycled to the train station.

Warsaw still has a nice old town but lots of the town was destroyed during WWII. Germans have played an awful role and I am always conscious on how I might be welcomed being one. However, I have met only friendly people and they always tried to help me. Thanks Poland!

19.07.2023 – Day 2 – Warsaw to Dabrowa (79,9 km)

After checking out the town for half a day I finally started off. And boy did I feel a drag. I have again packed too much. I should have left the stove and pots at home (and some other things). I did consider at one point sending something back but it just didn’t work out.
It took a while to get out of town and then the roads were rather boring.
But I found a great wild campground even though later the night proofed not to be as quiet as hoped due to a constant alarm sound.

20.07.2023 – Day 3 – Dabrowa to Kuleszka (77,1 km)

With horror I had to realize that the casting of the rear tyre is broken and the tube already said hello looking outward. Change of plans! I rode to Ostroleka, where the next bike shops were supposed to be. But only after I MacGyver-style put something into the tube to go on. Apparently, it wasn’t enough (or done right!?). 5 km before town I had a flat. Fixing the tube and off I went. Bah, far from “off”. I was limping into town. The last 2 km constantly filling air in and then 700 m before the target it was done. I had to push the bike into Decathlon. There was no selection but at least they had a tyre and tube in the “right” size. 20 EUR and changing them unto the bike later I found myself in good spirits again.
I should have stayed in the town because as I moved on rain clouds seemed to follow me. Once I heard thunder close by it was time to get shelter. I found a pavilion alongside a playground and not only stayed for the rain but the whole night. It’s not fun putting up a tent when the ground is wet. My neighbors were surprised but friendly.

21.07.2023 – Day 4 – Kuleszka to Biebrza NP (112,4 km)

Not for the first time I had to cycle along sandy paths. It’s a bit challenging with the thin tyres and heavy load.
In Lomza I met a guy that recommended me a different route, which he took last year to get to Vilnius. It took him 2 days to cycle the 360 km! The new route let through the Biebrza NP and it is a stunning area. Of course, more tourists as well but still, this part of Poland is far from touristy. I did see many more cyclists with their pantiers. All of them looked lighter than mine 🙄
Along the road you can see many crosses and many of them decorated. Poland is a very religious country after all.

22.07.2023 – Day 5 – Biebrza NP to Augustow (68,4 km)

The morning I stayed in bed thanks to rain. I didn’t mind. Midday I started and made my way. But today was not an easy day. My legs just felt tired. The only motivation was the beautiful landscape and the hope of a room in Augustow.
I also had the chance to witness part of a wedding. In my imagination all the gifts the groom brought are for the parents of the bride in order to give her away. Any thoughts?
Several people asked me where I am going and they drop their chin when I say Tallinn, which, as you know, is only half the story 😀
As a German it’s amazing that you can pay with credit card everywhere, even in the smallest shops in the last village. I haven’t used any cash yet. In fact, I didn’t withdraw any Zloti.
What additionally did I take from Poland? The fields are smaller than I imagined, sometimes with a piece chucked away for growing vegetables. They still have, for example, old harvesters without cabin and also more (small) farms. In a way it feels like when I was growing up…and I love it! It feels much more natural than the big farms we have in central Europe.

23.07.2023 – Day 6 – Augustow to Lithuanian border (91,45 km)

I was really exhausted and needed more time in the morning to motivate myself leaving. But go on I must as my resting day is only in Vilnius.
However, during the first kilometers I realized that I felt much better today. And, looking at the map, I was surprised to find the Lithuanian border within today’s reach. And once an idea is in my mind it is hard to get it out.
I was very happy having reached the Lithuanian border. I mean, sometimes it feels I don’t move forward at all and then suddenly here is the border and I am in another country.

But my happiness didn’t last very long. Just beyond the border I was attacked viciously…to be continued… 😜

Love,
Matthias