pedElle 2022: day 3 - Banská Štiavnica to Budapest
It is the third and final day of pedElle 2022, and the riders begin today’s 153kms ride at 7am, heading up the cobbled streets of Banska, leaving the city behind. They continue to climb through towns dotted around lakes, with long winding descents offering broad sweeping views over spectacular countryside.
The peaceful watermill coffee stop provides an opportunity to stretch the legs and break up the morning’s cycling. After a short climb it’s a long flat stage through expansive fields of rape, to coffee, followed by a 40kms stage along a tree-lined and rolling route through rural countryside.
After completing 99kms that morning, lunch at the Grand Esztergom Hotel is very welcome. With views of the spectacular bronze dome of Esztergom Castle glinting ahead, the riders cross the bridge over the Danube, which marks the border between Slovakia and Hungary, under the basilica that sits on the hill.
The riders leave the beautiful medieval city and head south into the Hungarian countryside, entering the Duna-Ipoly National Park. They enjoy a winding climb through the woods, which opens out to views of forested hills all around. The 20kms descent takes the riders down to the cycle path from the edge of Budapest to coffee at Holiday Beach Budapest Wellness Hotel with views overlooking the river Danube.
From the green outskirts of the city, the riders head towards the centre, past the most ornate old gas factory, complete with Byzantine turrets. They follow the Danube into the city and, after rounding a corner, they are treated to views of the city spread out on both sides of the bank. Incredible, impressive architecture is a treat for the eyes, with the domes and spires of the Hungarian Parliament Building dominating the view. A quick stop for a photo and then on to the hotel for celebratory drinks by the Danube.
After 153km – in total, 447km covered since day 1 – the pedElle riders arrive at the Intercontinental Hotel for celebration drinks. The city then provides the stunning backdrop for dinner on the open deck of a river boat with partying going on well into the early hours. So far the riders have raised an incredible £58,000 and are on target to smash their £60,000 target.
