August 30, 2024
Day 60: Haapsalu to Varbla
Large Fields with Round Bales of Hay
Since it is going to be a long day we get an early start. Breakfast at the inn is put out in the evening so we can help ourselves to whatever we want. The yoghurt with fruit is nice. We are out the door before seven. First backtracking to the main road through town, then headed south. The road is nice to ride with very little traffic. Then we get about 25km on the main road.
Today we have the flat road again for the first 30km and wind is a factor. Rachel wonder about what type of road is the nicest to cycle excluding wind as a factor. A flat road is generally easy pedaling but constant pedaling. Rolling hills are good if the downhill gives enough momentum to get up the next one. Steeper rolling hills at least gives longer down hills. And mountain passes can get into a rhythm of climbing with a great reward of a long downhill. Flat roads are tiring with no “free” kilometers. Then add the wind it’s as if you are climbing a mountain pass, but with no reward of a downhill.
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A detour into Lihula because Rachel had googled the town and it looked interesting. It’s not but gave us a few kilometers off the main road traffic. We join a road that takes us back to the junction to gas station and we take a food break. Just like Scandinavia, there are not many places to stop and have a second cup of coffee. If they do exist, many are off the main road a couple of kilometers.
We see as we pass scattered in many large fields round hay bales, most not covered by plastic wrap, and pretty in the light. Some of the fields are green, others with various colors.
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Both highway patrol and sheriff!
Not that an European would likely know the difference.
3 months ago
We reach the turn off onto another road to junction of coop and bar. It is very humid today, and with about 80F it feels hot. We stop and have another bottle of cold drink. Then 18km to Varbla. Our destination is outside the town on the coast. A small road comes in from the right at a junction with Eurovelo 10 & 13 sign. So there must be a short connection from Virtsu. We stop at a bus stall later where there is a box of free apples. We’ve seen a lot of apple trees and “free” apples offered.
We reach the Varbla Sadam (harbor) at the Groot hotel. The room isn’t quite ready. The budget room we booked is quite small with only a twin bed. After some back and forth the caretaker checks with the owner and we get a room a bit bigger with a full sized bed.
Dinner at the restaurant is fantastic. We ordered mussels and a fish dish with the plan to share. With the language barrier there is a miscommunication, they give us two orders of mussels, plus the fried fish. We accept this and it even works out better for us, we didn’t have “fight” over the bowl of mussels.
The room is above the restaurant under the roof. It was quite warm today and we have the roof windows open for some fresh air. For the first time since Sweden, we have mosquitos and Patrick spends a time hunting them and clearing the room for a peaceful nights sleep.
Today's ride: 93 km (58 miles)
Total: 2,933 km (1,821 miles)
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