I woke up with the realization that I would likely arrive in Vilnius, of course, on a Saturday. I made a hostel reservation for Saturday and Sunday night.
That then, of course, leaves me one day short I think of riding to Mockava, the train transfer point between Lithuania and Poland. A problem for future Rick. I made a hostel reservation for tonight 100 km from Aizkrakov.
Rain this morning delayed my start. On the way out of Aizkrakov I ran into the two South African cyclists! We chatted briefly before they headed their way (previously also my way), and I headed more directly south.
According to the weather radar, I would be riding directly into the rain. But the rain itself moved east and north. With the right timing I would keep not quite catching rain.
At the 30 km mark I stopped at a lovely picnic area for lunch. Unfortunately, a swarm of mosquitoes also waited there for lunch. About the time I unpacked for lunch, I packed back up and headed on.
3 km later, I caught the rain. Should have stopped for lunch. But after a 10 minute wait, the rain stopped, and I didn’t encounter any more rain the rest of the day.
I changed my route to more directly head to Lithuania to get better roads (better quality roads, less traffic) which worked perfectly. I had a pleasant day of riding. Forests and fields similar to Sweden.
Cycling along one side of the military reservation probably decreased traffic as well.
Entering Lithuania, I almost immediately passed one of the EU road improvement signs. Along with actual associated road improvements.
I had concerns, because I had left late, that I would arrive at the hostel late. So while I didn’t push hard, I took non-leisurely rest stops. I ended up arriving at the hostel by 4:30 pm anyway.
This evening I realized I had done my math wrong, and would arrive in Vilnius on Friday. It took some back and forth but I got that changed.
Tomorrow looks like a long day, which includes a number of small roads, shooting for a balance of road quality and traffic.