The next instalment......
Arrived safely in Klaipeda and after a day cycling on the sand spit which connects Lithuania to the Russian out post of Kaliningrad we headed north along the coast through Palanga to Liepaja. This route although on the RI ( signed R10) was again on a major road but thankfully with little heavy traffic. This turned out to be our highest mileage day of the trip so far - 70 miles.
From Liepaja we turned north east to Kuldiga and then to Talsi. Still on the R1/ R1O ( but no longer signed!) we joined the coastal road north of Tukums (heading south east) and then into Riga where we are enjoying another city break!
The secondary 'yellow' roads in Latvia have little traffic and the road surfaces are by east European standards are good. There are however no 'country roads' or white roads that are asphalted. All small roads are either gravel or sand so if you are considering venturing eastwards bring your mountain bike!
Total mileage to date is 1489 and bikes are performing well although chains and rear mech are fit for growing potatoes and over due a clean!.
We have booked a train ticket for Wednesday 18/08/10 again to avoid what looks like major roads out of Riga. This will take us to Valga on the Estonian border. From here we intend to cycle to Tartu and then review the route on to Tallin/ Helsinki etc.
Weather for the trip so far has been very hot - in fact mid to high 30's so early starts to avoid cycling in the midday heat. Of late however we have had incredible electric storm that last half an hour then the sun comes out again. So all in all nothing to complain about.
The cost of living in Lithuania and Latvia is by UK standards very cheap. Hotels or Guest Houses are on average 20/ 25 GBP which is just as well! Camping is even cheaper 5/8 GBP although the sites a very, very basic..
Will do another update probably from Tallin
Best wishes
Graham and Gill
Promise a few photos on our return!
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