Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1026100519
61km, 2h44, elevation 431m. Trip rating 70%
今天不是個適合騎車的日子，不過霸特還是帶登山車出門。本來規劃100公里可是很快發現沒有辦法：地上漸漸融化的冰塊變成跳上來的水，讓衣服臟兮兮還可以接受，可是鞋子襪子以及腳趾都濕濕的，結果感覺非常冷！回家的時候真的好痛！用滾燙的熱水沖幾份種才有好轉。所以今天只騎了60公里。幸好雪白的風景值得如此辛苦的感觸。沿途看到了一些歲月數以百計的古老建築，例如 Ctenice 城堡。
Considering yesterday's conditions: heavy snow fall and minus thirteen temperatures, I did not really count on doing a ride today. I went to bed very late yesterday, around midnight. I woke up at eight, had my breakfast and watched a video. I planned to go running in the afternoon. However, when I was briefly outside, I noticed that the ice and snow were melting. The roads were not slippery anymore. Finally this harsh Czech winter is walking to its end!
That's when I decided that I wanted to go for a ride after all. I could always go running during week days. Today was the only chance for a cycling trip, so I had to bank on this. I prepared a 100 km ride and took my MTB outside. It was almost ten am when I started to cycle. Extremely late, but for a short ride that is fine.
The first part of my ride was to Stara Boleslav, a stretch I often do. The roads were wet because of the melting ice, but the views and landscapes were beautiful. I found a nice spot where I could hammer my bike into the snow. It got me this fabulous snapshot.
The roads were good to go, but there was a lot of water splashing in my face. Somehow it always engages me on eye-eight. Super irritating.
It is no trick, just the snow that gets my bike to stand neatly in front of me. Btw mind the fact that the branches of the trees are no longer white. Temperatures are increasing steadily.
One more, from further away. I needed a nice landscape picture for my Facebook group
Further down the road, near the village of Brazdim, I saw this peculiar sight: The sun and dark clouds each claiming their share of the spectrum.
This was just a little after ten am in the morning. Don't get confused here. It may look like late afternoon.
I rarely get the chance to take snapshots like these, so I had a few extra. Admittedly, these are spectacular sights.
Luckily today's trip was not going through here. I have cycled this lane before but not in these conditions.
Then I proceeded my way to Stara Boleslav. I almost fell over this super slippery railroad track cutting the road with a sharp angle of 30%. It was a close one!
I made it to Stara Boleslav. I took a few pics at the town square. Last time I came at this spot was when I did a long ride to Liberec in December 2015. There was a big Christmas tree and the town was still asleep.
The town square from another angle, still white haha.
I recognized this area from previous trips. This river did not look like a river anymore.
There are a few remarkable old buildings in the city center. Covered in white they appeared all the more charming.
Old church, in Czech ''kospel''
I left the city of Stara Boleslav behind me and followed the route my GPS had created for me. I cycled through this lovely forest area with a minor ascent. I started to notice that the splashing water was making my shoes, socks and feet pretty wet. I started to give up the idea of riding the full hundred today.
My feet looked as if it was raining all day long. They felt that way too...
Next time I go back home, I will bring my snow tires back. I underestimated this Czech winter big time.
Some charming pictures of forest areas covered in white. It almost looked like a fairy tale.
My feet were getting extremely soaked and then my GPS sent me through a little path that was covered in ice. I ignored that instruction and went strait ahead. Later I decided to cancel the ride and go back to Prague. I was not in the mood for slippery roads. Sorry, but two smacks is more than enough. A third smack would definitely have further reaching consequences.
No, I did not actually get on this freeway. It was kinda bizarre to see it here, there was nothing going on here. I did not see any traffic.
These roads can be treacherous. You have to really hammer your front wheel so it does not slip away and causes the rest of the bike and rider to smash into the asphalt. It is somewhat nervous to ride like this, only OK for short rides.
I saw a beautiful open stretch of vast whiteness. I stopped here for a little video report.
I found a spot where I could get my bike to stand. This was a very eye-caressing sight.
The sun is steadily removing the ice and snow for me, so that I can have a normal ride next week.
See that road? Full of splashing water. My toes were almost frozen here. I needed to go home ASAP.
I found myself at the border line of Mlada Boleslav and Prague-Vychod.
Already back in Prague. It was a good 22km to home from here.
Czechia's vast openness covered in a white substance
I made it just in time for a snapshot of this train. My GPS was sending me back to Stara Boleslav
I passed through Stara Boleslav again and I found myself at less than ten km from home. However, today I had time to check out this road to Sluhy. I pass here often enough to check that out. The road was in a very poor condition, full of potholes and shit. Even on my MTB I could seriously sense it.
The temperature itself is bearable, the roads are acceptable for cycling conditions. It is my wet and hypothermia feet that forced me to go back home earlier.
I did one last thing before returning home: visiting the castle of Ctenice, which is really close to where I live. I learned that this are is Vinor and not Cakovice where I life.
Apparently there is a hotel, restaurant and conference room here. It is pretty commercial then.
I am sure this place has visitors on summer weekends.
The castle of Ctenice itself. Cute though
When I entered my room, I took my shoes and socks off immediately. I had this strange aching feeling on my feet and they were all red. I took a shower right away and sprayed hot water over my feet for almost ten minutes. Only then that pain slowly faded away. Strange feeling.
In the end I only did sixty km, but I saw some nice things. The good news is that I will be able to go all out next weekend. And boy I will...
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