We are currently in Lithuania/ Vilnius having crossed the border at Scypliski - total mileage to date 1235.
After a few days rest in the lakes, in the north east of Poland we rode across very undulating country roads to the Lithuanian border to one of only two road crossing points, Unfortunately we chose the one that ALL 40t trucks use and so the 20 odd miles between the border and Marjampole were covered in an average of 13.5 mph - fully loaded. Gill was leading so I think a 'road bike' is in order for her and a crack at the club 10!
We have turned into tourists for a while and boarded a train to Vilnius for a few days. We have also bought tickets for another train ride on Saturday 97/8/2010) to Klaipeda ( on the coast) to rejoin the R1 heading north into Latvia/ Riga and then on to Estonia/Tallin.
I forgot to mention that the trains only stop a the stations for a few moments at Marjampole and Gill thought that she was going to be left on the platform with no money, bike or kit whilst I 'sailed' on to Vilnius! However a very helpful passenger came to our aid and helped load our bikes and interpret for us with the conductor for tickets - clearly our luck is still holding as our adventure continues!.
So far only one puncture ( outside a bike shop in Germany) and a loss of front brakes on my bike entering Vilnius - now resolved thankfully! Fingers crossed and well done to Dawes Super Galaxy not to mention Brooks B17.
Our view of Poland is not overly favourable, The secondary roads are generally dreadful ( pot holes, sand and cobbles randomly laid.) and the car drivers think that cyclists are fair game - hence our use of trains. It is I think the only country that we have travelled.todate. where off road bikes should be retitled on road bikes! Anyway hoping for better when we rejoin the R1 and if not there is always Denmark to look forward too.
More to follow when we rejoin the R1
Gill and Graham
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