Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1043316642
235km, 10h10, elevation 2918m. Trip rating 90%
昨天凌晨五點開始騎車，面對兩個多小時的黑暗。早上溫度還是零下因此必須小心謹慎。天亮了已經走了40多公里，漸漸地西出布拉格，唯一尚未探險的捷克角落。進度非常好，完全沒有時間的壓力。沿途有許多丘陵區，充滿爬坡的機會，位置卻很偏僻，沒有什麼車子的干擾。我發現捷克完全沒有平地，至少我騎過的這幾千公里都沒有！這些田野的小路都是上升或者下坡路段。這也代表說，在捷克破兩百無論如何都很讓人疲憊，我也不例外。明明看地圖這個地方比較平，怎麼還是累積總升3000米呢？奇怪！很高興在黑暗之前我抵達捷克和德國的界限。看到那個界限的那當下，有種已經快要回家的感覺。真的很秒就對了！天黑的時候我到民宿。這家民宿的老闆很友善，而且會講一口流利的德文。當他發現我捷克文不輸給他的德文我們就談的很融洽。禮拜六的一切在掌握之中：在黑暗前到了，在九點前睡覺了。這樣子混著235公里，總升3000，花10個多小時還是很累，需要休息。尤其是第二天又來那種訓練量的時候...
I managed to cycle all the way to Germany today! I had found an 18 eur cheap hotel in a small town called Cheb, near to German border. Estimated distance from my place was around 226km. This is a lot but I guessed that there would be less climbing than my previous ride. I got ready early in the morning and I started pedaling at 4:56 am. The first near 40 km where identical to my very first ride ever in this country, back in November, when I visited Krupka.
At 7 am the sun begin risnig, darkness was finally over
Mind the -2.5 degrees Celcius. I had not expected it to be freezing. I had to proceed with care
Slowly this depressing darkness is fading away.
More than two hours on the road already and I found myself in a paradise lost setting
I stopped for this picture because I saw a lot of wild animals running in the fields. Of course I was too late to get a picture of them.
Lonely buildings in the Czech hinterland
Progress was extremely good. Especially the fact that between 7 and 8 I was able to continue cycling without setbacks. Last week I hardly moved an inch at that time.
Impressive big church, must be Gothic style which originates from Germany
At 8 am I stopped for my first snack. I spent some time reading this sign. I was amazed by how much of the Czech language I already understood.
Ustecky Kraj, entering this region meant that I was already fat west off Prague.
Czech postal services and others, probably not open on a Saturday
Just your ordinary tiny yet cute Czech village, or VESNICE as they call it in their language
This whole country is full of ancient buildings and statues. Cannot take pictures of every one of them.
I saw the hills appearing in the horizon. That meant I was also going north on the map
The weather was pretty good
This part was pretty hilly, never was there a flat stroke. Always uphill or downhill. And do not be fooled by this picture, sometimes the gradient would be 11%
Plzen, one of the major cities I still have to go to, was only 80 km from here. Means that Plzen would be around 190 from where I live. Doable for a nice calm weekend
This would not be Czech roads if the pavement was not full of potholes to provide a bumpy ride
It was getting warm here, warm enough for me to take out my gloves. It felt cold in the beginning, but I did not wear them again during the entire ride.
With the temperature solid above 5 degrees, I needed not worry about slippery roads anymore
This part was constantly rising to 370 meters and then dropping, sometimes back to 160 meters. Occasionally that provided a nice view on a village, but mostly it meant climbing and gear switching.
The scarcely populated Czech republic
Chomutov... I was surprised by seeing this sign. I did not realize I was that far up north.
Mind that river/lake in front of those hills. First time I have seen something like it
Close up picture of the lake in front of the hills
These views are something else
I noticed I was nearing the northern hills
Then I was led away from the main roads and I was treated to some tiny paths. They were cycle friendly. I was going right to Kadan here
This cow was staring at me to an extent that it made me uncomfortable. This cow had dozens of hectares of grass and freedom to enjoy. What could she possibly be worried about?
I mean, there is cattle out there that lives under less favorable circumstances...
I did not go into to city of Kadan, I was directed to a small but steep lane that ran away from it. This section was beautiful, it was a continuous climb or descent, but it brought me in contact with Mother Nature.
You can still see the city from here
I think I saw three cars on the entire stretch here, and I talking about almost 20 km here.
Remarkable country side. So different from Prague
No high mountains but lots of hills. I think that is what Czechia stands for
Looking at this map told me that this is a cyclist area. There were several tracks indicated with elevation.
This is something worthy of further investigation for future rides. Not only is there a lot of climbing and beautiful views. Traffic also seems to be very slow. All of that results in cycling without worries.
What a terrific location for horse back riding
I took this picture because I know my mom can appreciate this
1 pm, I stopped for a snack and a drink here. Again, progress was very good. I still had some 80 km to do from this spot. That would mean somewhere around three hours.
Beautiful spot, followed by a steep descent
Going down steeply and right after that, of course, going up!
Another first for me: I had exited the Uztecky region and I made it to the region of Karlovy Vary. I knew from the map that there were just three more districts ahead of me: Karlovy Vary, Sokolov and Cheb which was my destination of the day.
When progress is good and there is no time pressure, a ride gets all the merrier
There was a longer descent and this bridge was in a valley. Not long after this I would have to deal with a mighty steep climb.
There was a big road crossing this bridge, but I was sent straight ahead through a small lane. This lane was super small and steep. It kinda reminded me of Miaoli's Malabang area in Taiwan.
Did I say steep? I meant super steep! 11% was basic, it did a lot more than 11%. I was not able to always watch but I had to use my 32T cog and focus on this climb.
In no time I climbed from elevation 350 to more than 500. It was also getting extremely warm under my four layers of clothing. I had to stop and take off a jacket. It was just too hot.
I put my thickest winter jacket in my backpack and continued my climb. Near the top there was a small village. The gradient here was a full 20%. I managed to keep moving at around 7 kmph. At the top, elevation was around 560. A lot higher than the 300-400 I had been enjoying all day long.
Right after the top, I already started my descent here.
This snapshot makes my bike look really cool. I am starting to like it more and more now. During descents I felt that the V-Brakes operated quite nicely, just make sure you modulate that shit, don't snake bite your rim.
I saw some snow during this descent.
Compared to last week, this ride has been really enjoyable
I saw a place name sign here KRASNY LES, it is Czech for beautiful forest. That name was correct
I stopped at a gas station for a bottle of lemon water and some cookies. I saw this Taiwan flavored bike: Giant frame with Maxxis tires
Another descent. This was near Karlovy Vary
I descended from that steep road in the middle of the picture
While navigating through the center of Karlovy Vary, I saw this Specialized store. Too bad, or maybe thank God that it was not open.
Next section were some rather flat cycling lanes.
According to my GPS, it was less than 35 km to Cheb.
Some hills met me half way here. I started to anticipate on my elevation for today. I thought that I would make it to 2700 m.
This little village was located on top of a hill, at elevation 568 m. It was a long climb up here. I started to feel weary after more than 200 km of hilly roads.
From that village, I enjoyed a long descent. Then I saw the region of Cheb in front me. I was almost there! And I had time left to check out the Czech-German border.
It was a little after four pm, one hour of daylight left.
I was now officially in the city of Cheb, at just 4 km of my hostel. However, I looked up nearby placs in my GPS and I saw one that indicated (Deu) for Germany. Logic told me that I would cross the border if I went there. The GPS indicated 13 km. Doable before darkness...
That's it, Waldsassen with the D for Deutschland
There if finally was, the border with Germany! I was happy to be here. It meant that I did a killer ride. Also interesting, I did not think that Freistaat Bayern reached so high on the map. I had expected another region. Another victory for my geographic understanding.
Bundesrepublik Deutschland
I could consider this route when I cycle from Prague to Belgium.
Coming from Germany, you will of course find this sign: Ceska republica, vita vas!
Complicated speed rules for all kinds of vehicles I must say
Day one of this crazy weekend is officially over. Check out these numbers! I had a shower in the hotel, went for some food and hit the sack right away.
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