20230519 Tulcea to Constanta on the Black Sea, Romania

I rode 148 km today to finish my almost 2,000 km trip from Budapest, through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, to Constanta on the Black Sea. 

What a wonderful last day for my trip. Wind at my back. Sun on my face. Mostly quiet paved country roads through farmland and small villages with beautiful flower gardens. Even stopped at a tiny roadside chapel to say thanks.

Constanta was founded around 600 BC and is among the oldest continually inhabited city in Europe. As well as Romania’s principal port on the Black Sea, it seems to be a very happening resort town as the streets and restaurants were packed with people and there was a big concert in the city centre square. 

I checked into the free loft apartment that my German friends Ole and Mathis had left me as they had already paid for a night they didn’t need. 

After a shower I planned my train trip to Bucharest and for Tuesday booked a plane ticket from Bucharest to Toronto.

Called and talked with Anneli. Walked the streets. Had an amazing dinner (sea bass and black truffle rice) at the Aqua restaurant on the waterfront. Listened to the concert. Bought a Bubble Waffle Cone dessert. 

Summary thoughts on my trip. I enjoyed the section theough Hungary, Crotia and Serbia. But I would not recommend the section theough Bulgaria and Romania as there is too much on busy roads without paved shoulders, with very little of actually in sight of the Danube. Ride this Danube route east to west to benefit from (instead of fighting) the constant strong easterly winds.

Special thanks to my sweetheart Anneli for actually suggesting and supporting me doing this trip.

Thanks to all the special people I met along the way. To name jjst a few: David and Nenad, Serbians in Pančevo, Serbia; Ole, Mathis and Alexandria, German cyclists; and a young Romanian who gave me 50 RON so I could buy a 200 RON coffee.

Thanks also to Cyclepath Oakville for providing me with such an amazing bicycle and support and to Hoopdriver Cycles for the bikepacking bags. I will provide a blog about the bike and gear when I get home.

Cheers…Greg

#gregbikingwithoutborders, #cyclepathoakville, #eurovelo, #bikepacking