Days 132 to 134: Warsaw to Osiedle Wilga, then to Maciejowice and Radom

September 15, 2025

Days 132 to 134: Warsaw to Osiedle Wilga, then to Maciejowice and Radom

I didn’t have internet for a couple of days so this is a catch-up post for the past three days.

After leaving Warsaw, I cycled on the levee for a while. I didn’t enjoy it because the trail was narrow and unpaved. I spotted a road that was parallel to the levee and took it all the way to Góra Kalwaria, where I had a kebab wrap for lunch.

I messaged my Warmshowers host Wiesław since he didn’t give me his address so I had no clue where I’ll be staying for the night.

Ten minutes later, I received a phone call on WhatsApp. It was Wiesław. He said I should meet him in front of the church in Wilga then he’ll take me to a cottage. For some reason, I started to get a bit wary. Normally, a Warmshowers host will host the cyclist at their home. I’m not sure why I’ll be staying at a cottage. In any case, I decided to follow the flow and be cautious.

I arrived at the church in Wilga at 1:30 PM and met Wiesław. He’s an older man riding a recumbent bike. His English wasn’t so good, but I could understand him. We decided to cycle for about two miles south from Wilga to the cottage. The road there was full of trees on both sides. I was in a forest.

We stopped at a bar near the cottage compound and I had a Pepsi and a kompot, which is a drink made from boiled fruits. Soon after, Wiesław and I went to the cottage. I had cycled about 41 miles from Warsaw that day.

Wiesław told me the cottages are used by students from a university when school is in session. Right now, it’s summer break so the cottages can be used to accommodate guests and tourists.

I wasn’t sure if Wiesław paid for me or if the cottage is free for Warmshowers guests. He didn’t really make it clear for me, but I think he paid for the cottage, which is very nice of him.

The cottage is very nice and very private in the forest. I took a shower and walked around the compound. On my stroll, I met a physics professor named Richard. He confirmed what Wiesław had told me, that this place houses students during the school year and tourists in the summer time. My fears went away and I realized that Wiesław was very kind in providing this place for me stay for the night.

I met with Wiesław at 6 PM for dinner at the bar. I had some delicious blueberry pierogies and a bowl of soup. I paid for both of us since Wiesław had paid for my cottage. Wiesław also lent me a book about different places in Poland.

When I came back to the cottage, I was so tired that I went to bed soon after.

The next day, I woke up before 8 AM. I bought a donut for breakfast and some water from the nearby grocery store.

Wiesław met me around 9:30 AM and we checked out of the cottage. We rode together until I reached the main road toward Maciejowice before we bid farewell. I couldn’t believe Wiesław’s kindness. It was the first time that my host paid for a place for me to stay. I am very grateful for Wiesław.

I only had about an hour’s ride to Maciejowice and I’ll be staying at a barn there. My Couchsurfing hosts, Jola and Maciej, told me I could stay there for the night even though they were not home. I arrived before noon and only rode 13.7 miles from the cottage in Osiedle Wilga. It had rained during my short ride and my shoes and socks were drenched by the time I arrived at the barn.

I had a kebab wrap for lunch at Yara Kebab in town because it was the only restaurant that was open and had good reviews.

I didn’t know what to do since I arrived so early so I took a two hour afternoon nap in my tent inside the barn. Then I tried to take another nap and thought about how lucky I am to be traveling and completing this life-long goal. I felt so grateful to have met so many wonderful hosts and other people along the way. I am truly blessed.

For dinner, I went to Yara Kebab again and had another kebab wrap. Then I walked around the town square before coming back to the barn.

Around 7 PM, I went to sleep again and woke up around 7:30 the next morning. I sure slept a lot that day! After packing up, I left the barn and started my ride toward Radom to the west.

It took me awhile to find the ferry to get across the Vistula River. There was no sign on the road. I spotted some people and cars waiting by the bank and realized that’s where the ferry landing is. The cost to get across the river was 8 Polish złoty, or about US$2.21, for a cyclist.

Once I reached the other side, I cycled on the road and was delighted to be away from the levees. In the town of Kozienice, I stopped by the only place that’s open to have breakfast, McDonald’s.

After the meal, I rode on the smooth road again. There wasn’t a shoulder, but most cars were able to give me enough room. The drivers in Poland also give way to cyclists when the cyclists are crossing the street, which is something I appreciate a lot.

I took Route 737 all the way to Radom and arrived at my Warmshowers host Renata’s place at 12:30 PM, having ridden 37.2 miles. As soon as I arrived, it started to rain. I was so glad I made it in time.

Renata showed me the guesthouse that’s next to her greenhouse. I settled there until it was time for a late lunch/early dinner in the main house.

Renata cooked some pierogies and prepared some sliced tomatoes for us. We chatted about bike touring and Taoism, of all things. I had a great time talking to her and learned about two Polish cyclists who cycled around the world for ten years. Their instagram account is biketheworld.pl.

After the meal, I took a shower then retired to the guesthouse and went to bed around sunset, which is a little before 7 PM.

This morning, I woke up at 7. I will eat some breakfast after finishing this post then get going. I’ll be cycling to Wielka Wieś and staying with another Warmshowers host.