Dookoła Polski 26 dzień (Budynin-Przemyśl)

26th day Friday 29.07.2011

Distance 213.3 km!!! Time 11.39 hours!!! Avg speed 18.2 km/h Max speed 46.6 km/h

The longest but probably best described stage, as I had a lot of time waiting on the platform of the station in Przemyśl. Awake at dawn and I set off with the hope of completing my expedition today. A lot of kilometers ahead of me and also many interesting places on the route. Moreover, I am additionally motivated by the rainy weather forecast since Saturday. First Machnówek, the most “stork village” I have seen so far. A nest on every power pole. A church in Korczmin. Then hassle-free ride until Hrebenne, another picturesque church hidden on the hill. Then a small but very charming village of Siedlisko with many attractions. Here began the last muddy and swampy special section to the village of Prusie. Even the WOP patrol showed interest in my modest character. They probably suspected me of illegally crossing the border. A break for delicious hot cebularze delivered by a “store on wheels”. Another lovely little church in Prusie(-ech?). Recharged, I head towards Horyńiec-Zdrój; I had never heard of this health resort before. A loop to Radruż and another beautiful church, and since I didn’t want to go back the same way, I covered some fields of gravel and sand. Then from Horyńiec already on asphalt to Lubaczów, a hilly route. The city itself, nothing interesting, completely dug up due to road works, resulting in another “loss”. I found this expression on the portal “Koło roweru” and I liked it very much. Additionally, some driver annoyed me telling me to ride on the bike path. YES, I with my gear on this wavy, bumpy, path-like product. Best to do several dozen or hundreds of km. I'm already speeding!. More churches and chapels, some very old. Also place names that bring a smile to the face: Krowica, Wielkie Oczy, Kobylnica. I want to ride from Tuchla to Chotyniec, but there is no bridge and there was one on the map. I am making up more km. Additionally, it starts to get dark and rain. Fortunately, while traveling in these conditions, I didn't get lost anymore, because there wouldn’t even be anyone to ask for directions. When I saw the sign directing to Przemyśl, I knew I would make it. Although this city was not closing in at all, first the lights of the border crossing in Medyka appeared. And finally, YEEEES!, I shouted when I passed the sign with the known inscription. I didn't imagine an ending like this, but it also had its charm and ambiance. Tears even flowed, of course of happiness and fulfillment. Dinner and a toilet stop for changing clothes at the bar by the station! Climbing up the horrific climbs (I barely managed) and I'm on the platform. My last base. Some cooking, coffee, jelly, chocolate. This morning I had the idea to set up the tent somewhere near Przemyśl and in the morning head to the station, but I'm glad I didn't realize it because it rained heavily. I don’t envy the cyclists who got off the train on the neighboring platform. Quite a romantic night at the Przemyśl station. As if to defy the weather, Chris Rea sings in “Trójka” “On the beach”. Finally a lot of time to write, but what to write. I wrote an epilogue, but it's quite personal, so I won't publish it. Despite certain inconveniences and problems, it was worth realizing this madness. For a few days after my return, I had a disgust for the bike, but then new dreams, plans, and memories came, even dreams, of course related to cycling. One more curiosity, somewhere along the way I lost 10 kg of my beloved body :) Unfortunately, it has already been found :(