Ruse

We have entered Bulgaria with 9 new riders with us. This was not before leaving Romania in style with our fancy police escorts. One more time, thanks goes out to the men and women in blue of Bucharest.

Our first day in Ruse was met with much of the same glamour as that of Romania. A meeting with the mayor of Ruse was the initial welcome wagon for our cyclists and staff. We were also interviewed by numerous local media. To top it all off, the president of the local cycling association took many of the participants to the bicycle hot spots. One of which was an old Olympic distance velodrome.

Today we have come to the beautiful city of Veliko Tarnovo, a popular tourist town that is built on three large hills with a river zigzagging throughout it.

Tomorrow is the longest day left on the trip, full of rolling hills and the potential of some very steep climbs. The riders will be making good use of our refreshment stop after lunch I imagine.