Szarvasról a Tiszához

This is the usual 'out of the city and off we go somewhere' ride. At least I didn't plan anything, I just pedaled until it felt good. The bike path from Szarvas to Békésszentandrás is smooth sailing. The Bszta-Öcsöd road is more complicated, as the main road 44 is not exactly a safe bet (normal people can easily bypass the Szarvas-Mezőtúr ferry and cross over to the other side of the living Körös river, along the dam to the northern abutment of the Öcsöd bridge, and from there continue on the route marked on the map). I rode on Sunday, so I was not swept off the road by the wind of a truck. A church tower visible from afar lured me to Mesterszállás; it’s not as big as a cathedral as one might think from a distance (it was cleverly built on a hill), but it’s the most charming church I’ve ever seen. The village is also very tidy, it's worth taking a detour (the barmaid at the Fehérló pub is pretty). Upon arriving at Martfű, I was greeted by a wedding musician - according to a sign hung on the fence - playing in front of his house. Crossing through the town, the easiest way to get down to the Tisza is along the main road towards Szolnok. From there, I headed home, topping up my soda water supply at the Vietnam pub in Öcsöd, and had a serving of tripe for a snack at the Zöld Sas in Szentandrás.