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Friday, August 22, 2025 – Our night at Hotel Pendl in Kalsdorf bei Graz was restful. The evening before, we had ventured out in search of something special for dinner. A quick walk brought us to Restaurant Auszeit, about a kilometer from our hotel, famous for its ribs and wings. The garden terrace was fully packed, and we ended up at a table inside. To our disappointment, we learned that the specialty ribs were no longer available that evening. We settled on another dish, filling enough but not quite the experience we had hoped for. Still, it became another small story in our journey.
Back at the hotel, we lingered in conversation, sharing highlights from the tour so far. Steven and Rudi were already imagining possible routes for next year, proof that the adventure spirit had taken hold. We even played a round of Phase 10, the laughter easing our muscles before retiring around 10 p.m.
Breakfast the next morning was served generously between 6:30 and 10:00. We chose the middle ground, starting our day with coffee, bread, and eggs at 8:00. By 9:45, our bags were packed and our bikes ready. The target was Unterpurkla, 76 kilometers south. Originally, we had hoped to stay in Bad Radkersburg, but with no rooms available, Unterpurkla became our final stop before the big finale.
The route itself was different from the previous days. Unlike the hilly climbs and descents we had faced earlier, this stage was mostly flat. That meant no moments of effortless gliding downhill; instead, the rhythm of constant pedaling carried us forward. Now and then, we left the Murradweg and followed federal roads or village sidewalks. Steven took the lead, navigating confidently through turns and signs, ensuring we stayed on track.
Passing through small Styrian villages and open farmland gave the day its own charm. The air smelled of hay and freshly tilled earth, a reminder of the slower, quieter rhythm of rural life. It was a more meditative kind of cycling—steady, grounded, and peaceful.
Shortly before 4 p.m., we rolled into Unterpurkla and checked into Hotel Schischek. Clearly designed with cyclists in mind, it offered everything we needed. After a short rest, Steven and I tried the outdoor swimming pool—a refreshing plunge after hours of pedaling under the late-summer sun.
Tonight, we would gather our strength one last time. Tomorrow, the journey would reach its final destination: Bad Radkersburg.
- Hector Pascua
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