Biking Poland

23 June 2023, Bedkowska, 33.18km
Brandykowska 90zł [R413]

I am enchanted always when we encounter a culture of tolerance. This is very prevalent and obvious in most Buddhist countries. It shines also in much of west Africa and certainly in Morocco.
In Poland, too, we have encountered tolerance, though it seems more narrowly defined because people are more rule-bound here...
Where it is most evident is in the behaviour of drivers. In the cities, pedestrians have virtual right of way. As you approach a pedestrian crossing, cars stop immediately to allow you to cross (except on bigger roads where both you and they are directed by traffic lights).
Drivers need to be both tolerant and awake when non-vehicular traffic includes those on foot, on bikes, on scooters. And don't forget the trams...
We have seldom encountered impatience. Pretty cool.
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What a special ride we had today. The threatened storm came and went, leaving behind a rain-drenched world.
Departing Kraków was easily done on dedicated cycle paths. North of the city, we pavement-hopped through peri-urban villages until our turn off the 794 and onto increasingly narrow roads to the Ojcowski National Park.
The Park is a delight. The track through it follows a narrow valley between densely-treed hills, intensely green, and alongside limestone cliffs and karst outcroppings.
We left the park in the embrace of magical woods, humid but cool, echoing with the singing of birds.
Our route broke into open farmland for a few kms only, then back into trees and the occasional grey stone outcrops and cliff faces.
Extraordinarily lovely.
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Tomorrow we cycle 56km to Oświęcim, the town in which Auschwitz is located. It is only on Sunday we will visit. The number of visitors is limited. Those, like us, doing a self-guided tour, may only reserve a place after 1600. Our tickets are for 1715.