30 July 2023, Štúrovo, 69.34km
Camping Utolso Esely €16 [R332]

It should have been an easy 65km to and across the Danube border into Hungary at the Štúrovo-Esztergom bridge. And it was relatively easy (though we ended staying on the Slovakian side rather than crossing), but not entirely without drama.
We were back on the cycle path early-ish, despite the guitar-playing and out-of-tune singing by a group camping nearby that went on until after 1 a.m. (The guy did do a pretty good rendition of the click song!) We cycled 14km to Komárno in search of breakfast from the open-on-a-Sunday Lidl on the edge of town. Then detoured into the centre to visit what is essentially an architectural theme park. Europe Place represents the architectural styles of 42 countries and regions and is quite charming.
It had rained in the night and was damp when we awoke, but began to rain in earnest shortly after we made our way back onto the cycle path. It is odd how seldom we allow ourselves to get wet in the rain. Inconvenient in our workaday worlds, I suppose, but quite peasant if being dripping wet does not matter and it is not cold. On the safe-from-traffic cycle route, we just tucked in our chins, got as wet as it is possible to get, and pushed our average up on a flat ride.
After the rain stopped and we began to dry out somewhat, the perfect cycle path also changed its nature, sometimes ejecting us onto short stretches of road through this or that village, or onto a country lane allowing river access for swimming or fishing or boating. At some point the path was in two minds about its existence, teasing us with short segments in good nick, but mainly not. On one of the not segments, I hit a ridge just wrong and took a tumble at speed. Those who cycle will know that ridges must be mounted at an angle, that if you catch the side of your wheel on one, it can wrench your bike from your control.
Look, I am simply not designed for falling. And because I fear it so much, I take precautions not too fall. While Charl tends to come off his bike once a month (though less so on this trip), I seldom do. I have never had a fall at anything more than a crawl, until this time. Bottom line: I am a little bruised and have a touch of whiplash, but am basically fine. My computer, however, did not come off scott free. While still functional, it has a cracked screen. Grrr...
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We had just begun up the incline that marks the start of the bridge to Esztergom in Hungary, headed for a campsite on the south bank of the Danube, when we saw a small place offering camping on the Slovakian side. So in we popped to find a Danish family in occupation, but no proprietor, who only arrived later to relieve us of our cash. The Danes are travelling with two boys aged four and seven, all on bikes. They have an enormous tent. Both Mom and Dad tow trailers, the seven-year-old cycles on his own, when tired, the four-year-old is towed by Dad via a leash of sorts. They are home-schooling during their planned year away, and will be upgrading to a camper van shortly after three months on the bikes. Amazing.