Heat n' hills

After descending from my sandy camping hill, I found the first few hours' riding pretty easy, but later in the day there were some pretty big climbs. The sun was really starting to beat down, and it felt like I was entering a different climate to what I'd so far seen. About 40 km before Burgas it all became one great big long but not steep climb, but with a very rewarding descent on the other side.

Stopping mid-descent at a viewpoint to take in the coastal views, I wrongly concluded I was actually above Burgas, but little did I know it was another 30 km along! I soon worked it out, and soon became astonished at how resort-y Bulgaria becomes in this region. There were lots more English signs, and apartment complexes with English names. Offers of brand new sea-side apartments for 25,000 Euros.

And this side of the big hill, it really started to look like an arid region of Spain or the Middle East. A new Bio-region indeed!

At a water fountain I encountered a pair of English folk whose son had been a very prominent young cyclist who'd have probably gone on to represent England in the Olympics, before throwing it in because he realised he didn't like 6 hours in the saddle each day. Hell, I'd probably feel the same if I didn't have the constantly changing scenery and culture enthralling me! A little bit of bait to any Roadies who might be reading this, haha!

I was soon forced to take a different route as the road I was following became closed to cyclists (as well as to horse-drawn carts, as is quite normal on the larger routes).

A squiz at the GPS confirmed that there was another way to continue to Burgas without too much of a detour, and I got there late-ish, bought some provisions and a beer, scooped some free Wi-fi for email and to confirm my preferred Turkish border crossing route actually existed, and then got on the road again when it was dark.

I navigated to the dual carriageway that led where I wanted, following it and investigating a few possible camping spots by the lakes which surround Burgas to both North and South. I found a perfect spot by moonlight, dined and slept to the habitual barking of dogs!