The first cycling holiday 2018, from Bruck over Lake Balaton to Bleiburg was very fine cycling. These eight days worked out as planned. In 2017 we couldn’t finish the last four days of cycling from lake Balaton to Bleiburg, as I have been infected by some virus. Therefore this trip has been planned to cycle to Talpolca, and do the missed out sections of last year, ergo cycle back to Austria.
2018-05-31; 06-01: Day one and day two, using the Mur Radweg, R2, is very attractive cycling. From Frohnleiten to Graz there is the possibility to choose between the east or west embankment. I strongly recommend riding on the west side of the river which is much better.
2018-06-02: 06-03: Touring with the idea of riding on minor roads and cycle paths, when occur, using the short but good “zala vollgyi kerekparut” The next day following my planned route over Sumeg cycling on streets and really small lanes.Which was a nice navigation challenge.
2018-06-04; On the street down to the lake, along the lake using the cycle paths. Leaving the lake and on streets to Nagykanizsa. Unfortunately I missed out on some local cycling paths from the lake to Zalakaros.
2018-06-05; First via Hungaryan countryside on the way to the border crossing, riding on streets passing nice little villages. In Croatia again a mix of quiet country lanes down to the river Drau, and following the mostly traffic free embankment up to Varazdin.
2018-06-06; I have used the northerly cycle paths, good riding however, in some sections, with a hard to drive surface. Very good conditions up to Dublek. Average to Maribor.
2018-06-07; Last day, Very nice country side! This section is well suited for Mountain Bikes, however elevation gain of 1180m and elevation loss of 980m makes touring very demanding. The “cycle path” follows only roads with moderate traffic. Not recommended for families with children!
Gpx data and more are to find under Bike Map 2018 AUT – HUN
The first two days with approximately 173 km following the river Mur, R2, was excellent riding. The next two days we followed minor roads partly through unspoiled nature and a mix of street as well the short but good “zala vlgyi kerekparut”. From Tapolca down to Lake Balaton, first following the street, later riding on a mix of good cycle trails, minor roads and traffic free paths over Nagykanizsa to Varazdin was again fine cycling. For the last part mainly along the “Drau Radweg” back to Austria we were challenged by steep uphill sections, especially between Maribor and Lavamund. All together superb riding and except for the last day which brought us a bit rain, we were very lucky with the weather.
