Cycling The Globe

A Cycle Touring Expedition Around The World

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Day 36: Bucharest – Ruse, Bulgaria

Posted by Thomas Andersen Posted on Nov - 10 - 2010

Distance: 114.52 km
Ridetime: 6:18:26
Average: 18.2 km/h
Total distance: 2465 km

After 5 great days in Bucharest I felt eager to get back on the road. The first two hours of the day were spent riding around the city – first going to Jørleif’s place to give the keys for the apartment back, and then finding my way out of Bucharest. Riding on the country side is much more pleasant.

On the way to the border I suddenly found myself in company with another cyclist. I don’t think my new friend spoke a word of English, but he enthusiastically shouted “Bianchi Bianchi” as he saw my bike. He signalled that we should ride together and keep taking turns in front. And so we were riding for the next 25 km before he turned into a smaller road and waved goodbye. Meeting people doesn’t always have to include words.

On the border with Bulgaria I had to cross a narrow bridge over the Donau river. Luckily there wasn’t much traffic. After my experiences on the Ukrainian border I was happy to be able to enter in Bulgaria in less than 5 minutes.

Not really knowing the exchange rates for the Bulgarian lev I took out 400 from an ATM. Surprisingly I got the whole amount in 10 lev notes. I wonder if that is the only note they have. My wallet looks thick.

For the night I was wild camping again for the first time since Poland. How great it felt to be sleeping under a thousand stars on the rolling hills of northern Bulgaria.

Categories: Bulgaria
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2 Responses so far.

  1. Morten says:

    How cool that you met that speechless cyclist!
    And what a great photo of the bridge to Bulgaria.

    What temperatures are you riding in?

  2. Doru says:

    Hello !
    I’m living in Bucharest and on Nov.16.th.I’ve made a short trip on the same way to Giurgiu by bike. I’ve had an excelent day with nice wether. I’m intending to make a trip from Bucharest to Ruse and back…, but may be next year. Now I train myself…In this ride I’ve made 89Km in one day.I think it’s ok!
    I like your fotos, made from the bridge. I lake the landscapes !
    Tell me please,how do you solve the problem of accomodation ? Wilde camping does’t work allways..!
    Good luck!