TORQ UK Fitness Consultancy

Day:
From: Dimitrovgrad
To: Edirne
Dist: 127km
Weather: Chilly, scattered cloud, strong tail/crosswind

Took back roads through Voden, Aleksandrovo and Poljanovo. Very steeply undulating and quite draining. Killer crosswind also. Dropped on to E80 in to Harmanli. In theory I could stay on this road all the way to Istanbul now. Traffic not too bad, though as the road is being "improved" by the EU, I expect it is only going to get busier. Wind now mainly behind me and so flew most of the way, though when it did blow across me it was hell. Took me clean off the road a few times!

THIS IS LUCA’S PENULTIMATE INSTALLMENT. HIS NEXT AND FINAL DISPATCH WILL BE FROM ISTANBULL (IF HIS BIKE STAYS TOGETHER!)

Day 80: 04/11/03
From: Craiova
To: Orjahovo
Dist: 91km
Weather: Overcast, rain later

Out early to avoid riding in the dark again. Took road signed to Calerfert 'til Poden where I turned south towards Bulgaria. Very quiet tarmaced roads. Through Segrcea and Dranic. Many more Roma in this area - was lucky enough to see some women in traditional gypsy dress. Would have liked to stay longer in Romania, but I keep getting caught out by the weather and the short days so have to keep moving on.

Through Zaval (rain now) and on to Bechet to cross the Danube for the the third and final time this trip, though now by ferry. Got to Romanian customs by 1.30, but was kept hanging around for no obvious reason for over half hour. Once through I missed ferry by 1 minute and so had to wait over 2 hours for it to return. Too late now to continue so got room here. Had no Bulgarian currency whatsoever, though fortunately emergency Euros were accepted with little persuasion needed.