Day 11 – Nysa to Zagan

Yet more Polish Hospitality!! Shortly after waking up at the Primary School in Biala Nyska, the team was again visited by Mr. Jozef Adamon, Director of the Education Department and Ms. Malgorzata Przyslak, who most kindly offered a free breakfast, courtesy of the Town Hall. They further presented a kaleidoscope of impressions of Nysa and, in turn, were presented impressions of Malta, kindly donated by the Malta Tourism Authority. The team left en masse to Nysa Centrum, some 6km away, then were sent off at the usual 10 minute interval, with the fastest team leaving last. Today was the longest distance to be cycled, over 265 km, before reaching Zagan in Western Poland. Following two similarly long days and being the eleventh day of the challenge, this distance seemed mammoth to the tired cyclists. “If I get through this day, I feel as if I’m there” said one tired looking cyclist as he went through the daily routine of preparing his Trek bike for this yet another big ride. “People simply don’t realise what we go through” said another cyclist.”My family and friends think it’s like some kind of holiday over here” he continued. Other cyclists tried to joke that they were going for a “small ride”, while others were worried about the extreme distance and making it in time. On the other hand, although several cyclists have been carrying injuries for a few days, the medical team expect minimal dropouts, now being so close to the finish. Furthermore, the cyclists are constantly encouraging each other, with some cyclists putting aside their own time frame to ride alongeside a slower or injured team mate. The countryside is changing now, as the cyclists approach the German border and the terrain is becoming more rolling rather than the severe climbs earlier in the week. In fact, today’s journey saw long undulating roads, with miles and miles of plains on either side. Many took advantage of the flat roads to cycle at their own pace and to relieve their aching muscles, a welcome break although some cyclists were complaining that the scenery was too bland and monotonous and they preferred the mountainous Carpathian and Tatra route!!! The cyclists were still arriving at their accommodation, in Zagan, at almost 22.00hrs, having spent 14 hours on the road. There, they were greeted in by their team mates and were delighted to be served a hot bowl of Polish soup by the locals, who had been waiting there since 19.00hrs!! Today, the HSBC Life Cycle Challenge also received local newspaper coverage on the Nowiny/Nyskie Tribuna Opoloska.