(Temporary Backup) Day 37- Zimnicea to Giurgiu- 62 . 2 kms

Today was a really early start to the day with us awake at 5.00am todo most of the ride before the heat set in

Breakfast was a bowl of muesli being some leftovers from an earlier breakfast in the ride that Chris carried with him...

We were on the road by 6.00am and we made really great time on reasonable roads for the journey to Giurgiu.

Along the way we saw the farm workers coming out on the roads from the towns to start their day of work.

The farming here is very much manually based with very little mechanisation. The tractors we saw are very old but most of the hard lifting is done with horse drawn carts 

The other interesting thing is the animals such as sheep,goats and cattle are largely tendered by shepherd type labor.

Several times on the ride we had to watch the road for farm birds like hens chickens and the like who were on the roads.... all very interesting 

Arriving at Giurgiu I was able to book on the train to Bucharest in the afternoon so I have a 5 hour wait...

Based on this Chris and I found a cafe where we had a coffee and lemonade ( home made with honey to sweeten the taste)

At about 10.15 Chris and I said our goodbyes and Chris continued his journey for the day to Rousse on the other side of the river.

It was sad to say goodbye to Chris after being riding companions for 5 weeks. We had a lot of fun and faced a few challenges along the way which were met with the usual ANZAC spirit. 

I finish my journey here after traveling over 3400 kms ( distance from Melbourne to Perth) with a wonderful friend and for the most part untroubled riding 

I am a lot fitter for the travel than at the start of the ride and a lot wiser on traveling in Eastern Europe.... to be frank the lack of riding infrastructure including good roads and bike paths together with a lack of the creature comforts that we experienced in France,Germany Switzerland and Austria made the trip harder

Having said that I am glad to have done the trip with Chris...

I am sorry I am missing the final leg of about 350 kms to Costanta but appreciate that circumstances prevented this with my passport issues 

On the other hand I will be kind of glad to get home to see the family. The only issue for me will be adjusting to the cold Melbourne weather

I should say a word or 2 about my bike....

It held up very well over the trip however I really underestimated the road conditions and changing tyres for the latter part of the journey was a good decision. The fact is that ordinary road tyres do not like ruts and potholes which was the problem I had with punctures. Also some of the EuroVelo 6 route was in very poor surfaces which often meant losing grip and control.

The other lesson learned from the trip is to regularly service the chain.... most days daily as the crap from riding really plays havoc with the chain and gears on the bike.

Other than this ,which was largely my fault for not doing proper research ahead of the trip, I cannot complain about my “faithful steed”!!!

The train trip from Giurgiu to Bucharest was pretty uneventful with a change of trains involved at some town I cannot pronounce... the train stopped at a siding and I and others had to climb off the train cross train tracks and get on another platform to board the train to Bucharest...

Managing with the bike seemed relatively easy 

On the way on the train I took a decision to upgrade my stay in Bucharest to the Sheraton hotel which had cheap rates on booking.com so I am now sitting in the main restaurant with some fine food and a beer.... I have had only 1 beer in 3 weeks!!!!!

Having a shower with fresh soft towels is something to savour when you have been staying in cheap hotels and hostels

Been a great last day but sad in a way to say goodbye to my travelling buddy Chris 

FYI my weight in the shower was 71.5 kgs .....

I hope I can keep some of the weight loss as I go back to normal life...

FYI I included a photo of the trip I have made

Now for the photos.....

Chris and I at the end of the ride as we go our separate ways 

Safe riding Chris!!!!

Today’s ride.... my last one for this trip....

The whole route for the ride is shown below..... courtesy of Chris....