Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1016823237
161km, 6h30, elevation 1278m, trip rating 85%
在台灣決定徹底忘記白色恐怖的日子，霸特反而出門去面對白色恐怖！冰天雪地的長途騎乘很漂亮！路上空無一人，溫度一直保持在零下三度，偶爾下雪，路面反而剛好還在可以接受的範圍內。眼看著偏僻的村莊跟野外成為一片雪白不愧是美麗的景色。這樣子我坡了一百英里，也就是160K。佷遺憾，本來要去的地方無法抵達，因為最後八公里都是雪，必須知難而退。不過還是騎的很痛快，至少有騎長途！還有，我在一個小村莊莫名其妙看到Specialized的店，所以必須收回昨晚的留言，我還是去了！回家的時候我發現台灣有跟捷克雷同的動作，那就是漸漸地成為一片綠地。恭喜台灣人，肯邁向更好的未來。明天可以在部落格
Considering the harsh winter that had been raging for the last month and the fact that I have been completely unable to undertake a long range cycling trip for weeks, I decided to not be too ambitious in my planning. I decided to cycle to Ceska Lipa, a little town up north, in the Liberec region. I calculated that the total distance would be around 150km, which is an absolute minimum for all day rides.
Unlike previous rides, I only got out at eight, when daylight was slowly making its way. I wanted to make sure that I knew where I was riding and that I could evade spots of ice whenever there. I relied on my GPS to navigate me there.
I was sent north and I passed the small town of Nova Ves. I noticed that it was cold but not really slippery. It was really OK for cycling. What a relief!
This area, closer to Prague, was even completely green! It had been melting for a few days...
Finally a ride that is not cancelled before even having 40km.
My Subzero outfit in shiny yellow, safety first!
I made my way further north and passed a place called Neratovice. More to the north I saw that the world was covered in a white blanket, but the roads were good to go.
Well not this particular one, but the ones I was using were cyclo-friendly!
I soon made it to Melnik, one of the bigger cities in northern Czechia. The cycling path I was suggested to take was covered in ice, so I found an alternative going through the town center. There were some authentic ancient buildings here. Very nice to see
I saw a big church, maybe that was even a cathedral and an old town center. Then I discovered a beautiful view, a panorama over the river.
A winter panorama over the Elbe
From a different angle
This church was too big to get a nice shot of it
Cobbles, the first choice for every Czech village center
More Czech buildings, this time with an EU flag. Would the EU have subsidized this project?
A tranquil center, I mean literally NOTHING was going on here!
All of the sudden I saw a Specialized store! Talk about out of the blue. It was even open, so I went in. They did not have the tire size I wanted but I did buy a nice yellow jacket for only 999 crowns.
Discount on 2015 bikes, too bad nothing I like.
Admittedly, it was only a small store. Moreover, only open from 9 to 12 on Saturday. But good to know it is there.
Then I carried on with my journey north. I followed Route 9 for quite some time, until my GPS sent me through some smaller roads.
It is still winter, minus three point two. Brrrr cold!
But this new jacket was super NICE. I love this aggressive green yellowish, makes drivers notice me! A worthy investment
After 40 km of riding, I exited the Stredocesky Kraj and I entered the Ustecky region.
These roads were wet and dirty, but not slippery!
The smaller roads and the fields however, were full of ice.
The next phase of the ride was very nice. I was sent through small villages and deserted roads. Really not many cars out here. My surroundings were snow white, yet the roads were OK for cycling. It was a good combo
For those interested, I passed the villages of Steti, Radoun and Snedovice
I made a video clip here. This was a somewhat larger ascent. Altitude was nothing ferocious, but I was collecting a nice four digit total.
Subzero Bart with a new shiny jacket, owwwyeah!
Whenever I see a QUAD, I have to take a picture of it and share it with my brother.
He likes them a lot
The metropolitan of Snedovice, watch out for the potholes here and there!
There was no life here at all, just Bartman and the four elements.
There are some really old buildings here and there. Good thing not everything was destroyed in the world wars.
A map of the Ustek region
Route 269, with a nice ascent
I just came from the sharp corner to the right
12%, now it was downhill, it was uphill on the way back. These hills keep me from freezing. I attack them super hard so I can keep my motor running.
Going further north, nearing a small place called Rochov
A rare dense area
Only 25 km left to Ceska Lipa, progress was quite good
VERY old house! I would not want to live here
When I was closing in on Liberec, the views turned spectacular. Hills and openness in a white blanked.
White as far as the eye can reach. I hear people can turn blind from too much white snow.
My mom told me they use sands for the roads in winter. I noticed it here.
Officially entering the Liberec region. The roads were starting to get less accessible here.
What a sight! The Czech winter is beautiful I have to say. It is just not made for road bikers.
The only thing contrasting this pallet of white and grey was my outfit
Road conditions were deteriorating. However, I was less than 15km from my destination so I had to hang in there.
Adorable hill top in the center right
That must be around altitude level 650 m
All of the sudden I saw this! I was only 12 km away from Ceska Lipa but this was impossible. I did not lose any time and decided right away to head back. 12.5 km would be awfully long like this. I guess I will have a rain check with Cesky Lipa.
Besides, it is the ride that matters ,not the destination. Even like this, I was on schedule for 150 km and 1000 m elevation. So no regrets there.
All this sand and ice were seriously fucking up my bike.
Sun-Tzi once said: A good soldier knows when to retreat. Persevering in something impossible is incredibly stupid. So this soldier retreated and headed back to Prague.
But not without having lunch! I bought a sandwich and a bottle of lemon water here. It only cost me 38 crowns.
One dirty looking bike!
A small company selling lumber. This was a very nice shot.
The tranquility of these areas amazes me. It can be compared to Taiwan's Nantou mountain passes. It really nears that perfection!
Some ancient buildings on my way back to Prague. I believe this one is a museum
This building might well be over 150 years
Horsies
I decided to make a small detour to Stara Boleslav and go back to Prague via Brazim. That would give me more than 160km, which would turn the ride into a static century.
I saw this company selling CASE tractors. Also something I must show my brother
I noticed that my surroundings were green here! This was close to Prague
Somewhere past three pm. The sun was setting. Time to go home...
Conditions have not been ideal today, but I have another great ride to add to my collection
A map of where I have been today.
161km in 6h30 with 1278 elevation, those are fair numbers for a glacial Czechia.
I am very happy I did this ride today. Hopefully the weather will be OK tomorrow.
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