Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1000589561
131km, 6h07, elevation 1329m. Trip rating 85%
終於騎了2016年的第一次長途。雖然情況不是很理想，可是我還是熬過去了。先不要說一整天的零下溫度跟寒冷的逆風。光說一大早還是有結冰的路面就好了。這次差在霸特不願意不吭一聲就投向。我帶重量比較大，外胎阻力比較多的登山車出門。至少在我遇到惡劣的氣候的時候，還可以回家。導航幫我規劃了130公里的小圈，幸好沿途遇到許多上昇路段，讓我總升超過1300公尺。既然不騎公路車，這個騎成還是讓我添滿六個多鐘頭。總之，感覺佷不錯。希望明天還是這樣，有可能可以騎公路車！晚一點可以在部落格看到所有的相片跟故事的內容
I woke up at six thirty this morning and the outside world was still dark. I looked outside of the window and saw that the streets were wet. However, when I checked the weather I saw the temperature was zero. In order to avoid situations like yesterday, I decided to take my MTB and ride the 120km ride I had planned yesterday evening.
I started cycling at eight, when it was almost light. The skies were grey though. As soon as I stepped outside I realized I had not overdressed. It was bloody cold. I started riding and noticed that the distance to home suddenly jumped to 129. No problem, but it was 10km more than planned.
The first part of the ride was EXACTLY the same as my Tabor ride. The good part about it was that it presented me with some nice climbs. The first 30km are through Prague, but not the city center, si still doable. Then I arrived in Stredocesky Kraj, the region south of Prague. This is were the beautiful sceneries started to kick in.
A lot of these Holy Crosses all over the Czech Republic. I like them.
Early in the morning, riding my MTB.
I noticed that it would have been perfectly possible to ride my road bike today, but no way back now.
All the snow white of yesterday was gone, although I did not understand how, it was still minus three degrees. How could that have melted away?
This snapshot is a nice resume of today: small field roads with sometimes steep gradients.
Dressed up in a lot of layers of clothing, the only way to go these days
I was sent through a little village with lots of horse owners
I took these pictures to show my mom
At least one piece of bike path that justified taking my MTB
BIG tree
This sign indicates that I have officially left the region called Prague City, now I was out in the open, far away from civilization
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Never see a lot of them so I made use of the opportunity to get a good picture of this HUMMER
I would never buy a car like this but let's be honest here: What a machine!
Tranquil settings, exactly my motive for hitting the road today.
I guess ducks are the true champs here, they ain't too pussy to take a dive in this subzero water. I won't be doing anything like this anytime soon.
All of the sudden I saw a sign that indicated a Specialized store. I had to go and check it out.
Czech Republic ain't no Taiwan: closed on weekends.
I was making my way south on the map, going in the direction of Benesov. I had done this part during nice ride in late 2015.
I was riding in a realm without vehicles and I loved it
This lake was frozen solid, maybe even suitable for ice-skating
Already 40km completed when I took this picture. 90 more to go! At my MTB speed of 22kmph, that would be at least four hours.
More cute horsies, but these were given a blanket for warmth
Quite a lot of them here...
This was the forest path going downhill. This place was called Cakovice, just like the suburb where I live in Prague. In a way I was back home...
I took several clips here with my bike cam, which meant no pictures.
A solemn moment
The last time I came here, I went further south to Tabor. Today I took a right, which is this road. I was already half way there and now I would steadily be heading back to Prague.
I have to admit: these yellow cycle paths are indicated very consistently. But having a GPS with navigation is still more kick ass.
Right after that turn there was a nice climb and then I arrived here, super small roads without cars.
Five layers on the top and three at the bottom, my Subzero equipment
Yes I do like the color yellow, it is safe! I practically only buy yellow cycling where. It gives me ease of mind when I am night riding.
Then there was a long stretch of 7km which was actually going back north on the map. After that 7km, there was a long descent, I crossed a dam and then there was a 25 stretch to Prague city. The first few km of that section were uphill. You can check out my Garmin map if you like.
Traffic was low and this was considered to be a bigger road.
My dashboard: GPS in the middle, bike cam at the left, some lights at the right. And yes indeed, even my bike as yellow reflective textile. I take safety seriously.
Between all these harsh moments of Siberian conditions, I still found a way to enjoy my ride.
I made a turnover because I raced past this view. Marvelous! It reminds me of the view from Zhuolan to Liyutan in central Taiwan.
The view here was very nice
Then came the downhill section. It ended at a damn. I stopped there for some pictures.
Amazing view
from the other side...
Then came a 25km piece. I had never seen my GPS marking 25km as one single instruction. I found it strange. Anyway, right after the dam there was a very long climb, after that climb there was a very long stretch right next to a channel. Prague was indicated every now and then.
The sign says in Czech: The old Daleve bridge. Only cyclists and pedestrians could pass
A view from that bridge.
This quad rider realized he could not pass this bridge and left the scene.
A snapshot of him to show my brothers.
After several km I entered the area of Prague City.
Some boats were having fun in this water and I also saw cyclists on the other side.
A view back
Then I had to cross this bridge because on that side there was a cycling path. I was less than 40km from home.
The Prague cycling trails. I would not have found them without my GPS.
Honestly, Taipei does a better job in infrastructure
I had to cross the river once more
The cycling path was running under the main road.
Out of nothing I saw a Can Am shop. I had to show this to my brothers haha
Somehow I found myself taking a lot of pictures of my bike over some water.
This cycling path ran next to a freeway
More cycling paths. I stopped here for a snack and a drink. This was 22km from here.
What I had feared most had happened: I was sent through Prague city. And I mean the city center, full of ancients buildings, cobble roads, tram tracks and annoying tourists who don't look left of right when they get out of there miserable tram. Luckily I was riding my MTB, because this would be dangerous n a road bike. Note to self: never accept any road that runs through Prague while riding Roubaix. It is worth 20km detour.
Some positive words though: The city and its ancient buildings were truly astonishing. I have the obligation to myself to sacrifice one cycling day to go and explore the city center. It has to be done at least once.
Those tram rails are SUPER dangerous for people riding a road bike. Don't do it in Prague!
After passing through the city center, there was one long climb where I felt my fatigue. Not long after that I made it home, doing more than 130km on this MTB. Nice ride but I could have ridding more km on my road bike. This was the first long range ride of 2016.
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