Day 407 30th August
76 miles (Letenya to Zagreb) Average speed 12.3 mph Top speed 34 mph
An amazing fast hot day. I was awake at 5am with dogs barking, church bells ringing and alarms going off, but managed to get back to sleep somehow. I got up at 8.30 and had brekkie of sausages and tomato rolls. I said hello to my only fellow camper, who was from US, but had been studying in Budapest and travelled through Croatia. I’d lit a fire to keep the mosquitos away and apologised if I’d disturbed her.
Then I left at 10 and followed the main road south until I could no more, as it turned onto motorway, so left and went through minor roads for a while and stopped at Lidl to buy lunch. After a short detour through a couple of towns I managed to get back on the d3 and at points used the footpath to avoid the worst of the traffic on the uphills, which were quite steep at times.
Border crossing
Into Croatia
I stopped for lunch at Lozan in a forest after a big climb and then it was downhill for quite some time following the path of the river alongside the main a4 motorway.
River beside the road
I was enjoying the ups and downs of Croatia and especially the downs. I stopped quite a few times for cold drinks as it was very hot. I did consider stopping sooner but the appeal of cheap hostels in Zagreb drove me on.
Ups and downs
It was tough in the heat but I was enjoying the challenge. As I arrived in Sesvete the sun was setting and in my eyes, as I negotiated rush hour traffic, but most cyclists seemed to be riding on the pavement to avoid the tramlines. I joined them and soon arrived at the hostel without too much hassle. There is a bar next door connected to the hostel and after a few beers and a chicken burger in a black bun and chips, I relaxed and enjoyed their music.
Chicken burger in a black bun
I was in bed by 10.30 and glad of the rest, but not before slipping in the shower and landing on my coccyx, which is still quite painful. Thankfully no serous damage done.
Hostel funk lounge. £10 or 80 krona.