Day 64 - Mamaia-Sat to Constanța (13 miles)

There is nothing really interesting to say about the journey to Constanța. The route was along a dual carriageway, thankfully quiet, but despite my proximity to the sea - for a large part I was cycling a strip of land with water either side - I never even glimpsed it. I cycled through Mamaia-Sat to Mamaia to Constanța without realising where one town ended and the next began; they all merged into one continuous built up area of low rise flats and hotels and businesses serving the holiday industry in the area. It was a pretty uninspiring cycle ride.

My journey finished at just after 9am down by the Constanța waterfront. Constanța is not only a seaside resort but also a major port so the views by the working dock area did little to improve the impression I had formed of this final day. Having reached the 'official' end of the EV6 I headed off to nicer parts, to the tourist harbour and along the promenade with its Art Nouveau Casino - a symbol of the city - although that was largely under cover and being refurbished. It was then to the old town and morning coffee.

The Constanța Casino

I had arrived in Constanța and the Black Sea after cycling 3000 miles and nine weeks to the day after I had set out from the Atlantic coast of France. I had cycled through ten countries and four capital cities and yet, as I sat drinking my coffee, there was no sense of elation or completion. Even any sense of achievement seemed lacking. I guess cycling every day for weeks has become so ingrained in my routine, such a part of my normality, that the fact I have now stopped has yet to sink in. And although I have finished my cycling, I am on the far side of Europe and still need to get home. I have the details of the route I intend to take by train - from Constanța to Brasov and then on to Budapest, to Germany to Paris and then a Channel port - but the first 200 miles to Brasov is proving an issue. There are plenty of trains to get there but not all trains here take bikes. I have met people who had arrived here by train with their bikes and I have read the blogs of people who have left here by train with their bikes so the options are there. Nevertheless, I have failed to find a train on line with the all important bicycle icon to indicate it would carry both me and my bicycle out of Constanța. My cycling trip may be over but my journey is not yet complete and until these final issues are tied down that sense of elation will probably remain elusive. 

The rest of my day was spent exploring a little more of the city before heading off to find my accommodation, relax and reorganise my bags for the journey home; cycling shorts, shoes and other equipment can now be packed away until I am safely home leaving only a few clothes accessible for the journey. But before I leave I will be having a day off tomorrow to explore the city further.

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