Stage 2, Day 3: Today was our longest day on the bike so far – a whopping 101 miles! In the cycling world, a ride of at least 100 miles is known as a ‘Century’, and it’s considered a rite of passage. We also crossed the ‘1,000 miles cycled’ on the #napoleoncyclingtour today.
The day had the added incident one of our best riders, Alison from Aspen, being taken out by a Polish beagle (temporarily only as she is one tough trooper). (Aussie) Michael had his rear video camera running … amazingly quick reflexes by (Aussie) Chris, and by Alison to keep her head from hitting the pavement. (don’t worry, the dog popped right up!)
Thankfully we were rewarded for this epic day upon reaching the town of Poznań, once described as the ‘Paris of the East’ and formally part of Germany until 1945.
Wiechlice to Poznań
DAY #17 of 35 Poland 1,040 miles total
Our morning began by venturing out into rural Poland and through sleepy villages as we headed towards Poznań. Tree-lined country lanes were the order of the day, complimented with the occasional stretch of cobbles. Our route this morning began smooth and quiet but inevitably blossomed to life as we began to approach the outskirts of Poznań.
Le Grand Départ (of our first Century Ride)
The Calming Countryside of Poland
Rolling into Poznań
Rather than an invader, the Poznań populace considered Napoleon a liberating force and joyously celebrated his coming – even still to this day. As Napoleon tourists, we entered this town ready to celebrate our (Century Ride Completion) victories by partaking of authentic Polish cuisine and brews.
Napoleon made repeated visits to this beautiful place, however the ‘Little Emperor’ first arrived in Poznań on November 27th, 1806, in a time sandwiched between victorious campaigns against the Prussian and Russian empires. It was here that Napoleon signed a peace treaty between France and Saxony in the ‘Redutowa’ Hall of the Hotel Saski (which is now a row of shop fronts).
Napoleon was considered such a liberating hero that the locals named a street after him and renamed the Jesuit College where he stayed, Chateau de Posen. For those uber keen Napoleonic enthusiasts, an optional pilgrimage to Kórnik Castle to view his fork and spoon will bring ‘cutlery repletion’…..or so we read, haha.
Kórnik Castle
Constructed in the 14th century, Kórnik Castle was remodeled into its current neogothic design in 1855 and surrounded by Kórnik Arboretum in the first half of the 19th century. It remained within the family until 1924 when, shortly before his death, the childless count willed the castle, his an extensive art collection and the Kórnik Arboretum to the Polish state.
Trivia Fact: Kórnik Arboretum is the oldest and largest arboretum in Poland, as well as the fourth largest arboretum in Europe. It covers a staggering 40 hectares (100 acres) and contains more than 3,300 types of trees and shrubs.
Picturesque Poznań
First settled over 1,000 years ago, Poznań is among the oldest and largest cities in Poland. Although only a half million residents live within the city limits, the larger Poznan Metropolitan Area (PMA) is home to 1.4 million people. Needless to say, between its extensive history and sizable population, there are an overwhelming abundance of sights and activities within Poznan that appeal to foreign visitors. Around every corner it seems is something worthy of photographing, or at the very least taking a minute to admire.
The city has many historic buildings and sights, mostly concentrated around the Poznań Old Town and other parts of the city center. We didn’t do much specific sightseeing after our longest ride ever, but we enjoyed just strolling around this historic and vibrant city.
Trivia Fact: Poznań Cathedral – The Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul – is the oldest Polish cathedral, dating back to the 10th century.
