18th day Smokovec to Rimavska sobota

Distance: 169km
Total: 1948km

My alarm didn't go off in the morning as cellphone battery was totally empty - wonder what happened to it. Well woke up hour later than planned so was on road hour later also. Said byes to the couple owning the penzion (penzion Lesna).

Day started with 20 kilometers  of steady uphill in chilly but sunny weather. Came down to valley from Strbske pleso and had day's first free kilometers coming down. Then headed west along road 18, which was built annoyingly going up and down, also the strong headwind made the downhills feel more like flat. Met also bunch of other cyclists and one of the had been to Rovaniemi as organizer in ski jumping competition.

Then took the  road 72, which I would follow almost all rest of the day. First was getting over Nizke tatry mountain range, to sum it up; 2 hours of climbing for about 15km and then doing nothing for 15 minutes for about 15km - at least it was straight forward first up then down and not midway solution, Norwegian solution would of course been a tunnel.

Reached Brezno and couldn't find any place to eat easily - all restaurants seemed too complicated, as eating there would take forever. Left Brezno hoping to spot something on way, only to end up eating in restaurant which takes forever - though didn't this time. Ate some traditional Slovakian Hausky (most likely misspelled), it was macaroni (a lot of it) in sheep cheese and little fried bacon on top. Not becoming my favorite food by the way. Also passed camping site little after Brezno, but only 100km done after rest day - must carry on.

Next up is another pass, smaller than the earlier one, but it had great descent through very steep and narrow valley on a narrow curvy road - such a pleasure to come down. Rest of the day was slight downhill along the river while the kept getting smaller and changing to rolling hills and (wheat) fields.

The campsite I was aiming for was unfortunately 6km to undesired direction from road 72 and 50 intersection. Made it there though only to notice its kinda not real campsite, but some relaxation area. There was WC and locked shower, which was supposed to be given access by some man, who never showed up. Dunno what morning will bring, but definitely not gonna hunt him down to pay for no service camping.

Tomorrow's plan is to reach Hungary and the Danube.