Day 21 - Visegrad to Balatonfuzfo


Tuesday 17th July 2017

We leave Camping Dömös at 8am and ride along the banks of the Danube to our meeting point with Peter, at a gas station near to his brother’s house.

Now we ride through the centre of Budapest along the banks of the Danube. We are
 On the Budapest side. It’s very hot and sweaty but we stop to photograph the amazing parliament building across the river in Pest.

The Hungarian parliament building across the river


Then on into south Budapest and the tyre fitting shop. They charge €17 to fit the new tyre.

Getting the new front tyre fitted


We leave Budapest and head west to Lake Balaton, where Peter lives. I cannot believe the change in handling that the new tyre brings. I have been riding super-defensive for the last four or five days, slowing into every curve and feeling the rear end slide on the big curves. Now everything is perfect and before long I’m throwing the bike into curves as it’s supposed to be.

I’ve never let a front tyre get as worn as this last one did, generally changing it on every second rear tyre. The difference is quite astonishing. Another lesson learned.

New tyre,  new riding experience.


Next it’s a blast along the motorway to Lake Balaton. This lake is huge, 79km long Peter tells us and it is a major holiday centre for Hungarians. We track around searching for a campsite. The first one we check is like Butlins by the lake and charge a fortune. No thanks. Finally we find a smaller setup that is just perfect for us.

It’s a very big lake


Camping on the lake shore


First thing I do after we set up the tents is go for a swim in the lake. Another one to add to the list of interesting  waters what I have swum in.

Swimming in Lake Balaton


There are some interesting old bikes parked up at the campsite. I’ve never heard of the Hungarian Pannonia but there are two examples here.

Hungarian Pannonia on the left



We walk down to a local restaurant where Peter meets up with us again. Later we are joined by his lovely new girlfriend Eddy (sp?). Far too beautiful for him!!

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