Bratislava by Bike

  The paths became narrower, and the waist high vegetation slapped against my legs while rattling the spokes of the wheels.  With each new turn came a more remarkable sight of rolling hills covered by numerous trees.  Riding down steep embankments of rocky terrain with my group of nine other colleagues, I found myself in the middle of the pack (not bad for a person who comes from the flat plains of Chicago), however I became further separated due to the different speeds and aggressiveness of each rider.  Twice approaching the cross roads, I decided to wait for the two others behind me for direction before proceeding.  The mosquitoes were vicious in the shady forests of Bratislava, and the longer you waited, the more they attacked.  Upon arriving to the third cross road of the path and a paved road, being further separated from the group behind me than before, and staying on the “C” path the entire ride, I chose to keep pursing the challenges of the path. 

  Surely I must be on the right path, as my phone remained silent.  Relief that I was on an actual path set in somewhat as two other bikers passed, albeit heading in the opposite direction.  Suddenly, ring, ring…."Bill, where are you?"  I respond with, “I am on the path, where are you?”  "At the bar."  Damn, I should have turned at the cross road now back 2 miles.  Now I was in for an additional 10 km of fun, with no water, and darkness falling upon the sky.  While I was in no need of food because I swallowed a couple nice size bugs (I definitely have to learn to ride with my mouth closed), water would be a problem.  Each crossing of a puddle I made a mental note of where I might be able to find something to quench my thirst.  I eventually made it to the end of the path before darkness 30 minutes later, and met my group at the bar where I had a large beer, cold ice tea, and most important, a chocolate ice cream bar waiting for me.  The next weekend, I made sure to purchase a water bottle and holder.

  While the roads and automobile drivers in Slovakia can be aggressive, the bike paths are a whole other world.  Set off apart from the street traffic, Bratislava is surrounded by miles of paths.  From steep tree-lined hills and traitorous rocky mountains, to flat paths surrounded by fields and small lakes (and long the Danube River), there is no shortage of motivation to explore the area on a bicycle.  Arriving in two boxes in mid-spring, I was effectively able to build my city/mountain bike while disregarding the incorrect directions for a 10 speed racing bike I was sent.  I even completed the bike with spare parts!  I was out and about soon after, but this is one instance where I regret living on the 5th floor of a building with a very small elevator, as I must carry up and down the stairs each time.  And unlike the US, the ground floor is actually 0, so it is technically 6 floors in my book.  But the paths are like none other, where I can bike through Slovakia, down to Hungary, and across to Austria, all within a couple hours ride.  You do not even notice when you actually cross over the border to other countries, which seems odd given 23 years ago, these countries were very different.  The routes, only assessable by bike (or roller blades), will take you all the way through to Vienna, and along the path, there are numerous bars and restaurants to re-charge, and also a couple lakes to relax.  My team mentioned the one lake I passed near the Hungary border was a nudist beach; however I failed to notice anything that would have indicated such.

  Biking in Bratislava is definitely enjoyable, and I am really looking forward to exploring Slovakia, and the neighboring countries more throughout the summer and fall.  Even Bob Dylan bikes through Slovakia while on tour (2010).  Since relocating to Europe, I have already lost 7 lbs, and it was not because of my brief attempt at P90X.  But during my recent three week trip back home to visit family and friends, I was able to put back on over 4 lbs with quality Chicago cooking.  Back to the trails.  Happy 4^th of July, and I hope to get back to my 2 blogs a month!

Bob Dylan on the Bratislava bike path