30.05.25 Day 23 - Šiauliai-Jelgava(LV) 🇦🇹. Entering Latvia and an icecream for a traveller.

Another sunny Baltic day, I'm lucky. First visiting the Hill of Crosses, 10km north of Šiauliai. A very special place. Passing the border with Latvia. A car stops beside the road, a woman indicates me to stop and gives me an icecream, because I'm a traveller! I've said it before, many nice people out there. Another night in the tent outside Jelgava.

The hill of crosses

A very special place with religious meaning, but also a symbol of opposition against former Sovjet occupation.

Leaving the A12 towards the Hill of crosses, where the road becomes unpaved. Some parts are very bad, and after a while I chose to go back to the A12. There is some traffic and trailers, but I prefer that to bad gravel roads. I won't say what is better, it depends on your preferences.

I bought some stuff in the supermarket in Joniskis. Surprised to see a well known company.

Norwegain insurance company active here

12km before and 6km after Joniskis there is a good bike lane along the A12. Shiortly after, I entered Latvia, the fifth country on my trip.

Entering Latvia

In Eleja I could chose between continuing on the A12, or take the P103 westward and then to the left in Ziedkaine towards Jelgava. This is 10km longer, but I felt in good shape so I took this. Very nice road among the meadows, quiet, especially after Ziedkaine.

Now I also got identified the grain there is so much of, using Obsidentify. It is rye.

Rye

I found a camping right outside Jelgava where I spend the night.

I found out I could convert the Polar tracks to GPX and show them on Organic maps. 

Red is today's trip

110km in 8:25 timer, active time 6:05.

Total 2300km.

Link to GPX track