Garmin Actvity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1043316694
202 km, 9h25, elevation 2647m. Trip rating 70%
今天捷克冬天突然回來了，早上零下4度，路面結冰。我立刻擔心在遠處無法騎回家。我的技巧是走大條，因為那邊有車子經過所以不那麼快結冰，而且市政會撒鹽來解冰。這個策略本來很有效可是沒想到剛好那邊有一個高海拔的森林，在海拔900看到冰天雪地。告訴我誰會敢在那裡下坡？當然是用走的。這了海拔一直保持在700左右，有濃厚的誤期，速度無法拉高，導致身體很冷。整個都是佷辛苦。幸好下午溫度有好轉。我走捷克的六號線走很久。當溫度升到兩度我終於感回到偏僻的外界。這幾個小時確實騎的很快樂，有美好的風景，可愛的小地名還有許多古老的建築。下午的進度很好，很順利回到布拉格。能夠把今天這麼不順利的騎乘騎完代表我這個人的毅力很堅強，甚至鐵定。回到布拉格我發現我這個週末的訓練量不少：437公里，總升5500多，接近20小時。騎車也是一種訓練如何克服困難的精神上訓練。這是我今後的心得。
At 6:44 am this boy was already back on track. I had altered some settings in my GPS which gave me a more direct ride. For today, I would have 200 km instead of 235. However, as soon as I left the city of Cheb, I made a very saddening acknowledgement: outside it was frozen solid! King Winter had come back to haunt me once more. And this time I was not in Prague, I was more than 200 km away of my home.
I decided to skip all the small lanes and only ride main roads. They have more traffic and probably salt is being used to keep these roads open. They were my best chance of a safe ride.
Route 21 was my first companion of the day. This view over a lake is astonishing!
The cycling conditions were horrifying. I did my best to maintain grip
I followed route 21 for a long time and surprisingly, there was a lot of climbing to do. I started the day at elevation 470, but now I was already at 550 and climbing
Good thing traffic was low
This main road was ok for cycling, the tiny roads were impossible. The temperatures were around minus four degrees.
On top of that, the skies were clouded and foggy
I climbed up to elevation 600. In this place, Stara Voda, I had to leave route 21 and take some smaller roads. Even in these smaller roads, I noticed I was climbing a lot. Not long before I made it to elevation 650. In Taiwan these are ordinary numbers, but in Czechia they are not.
I was sent uphill along this castle and I saw that there was a lot more climbing ahead of me. This part was very steep, 11% and more.
This path was really nice and it would have been a fairy tale in summer times. I had to be careful for slippery spots. The temperature was dropping as my altitude increased. I was already over 700 here.
A forest of snow and trees, reminds me of Dongshi's Daxueshan.
The view down the slope is nice though, covered in white.
The first time I see a cycling path that indicates MTB
I made it to the top, but descending on my bike was impossible. These roads were just too slippery. I had to walk the whole thing down. And that cost me a lot of time.
Elevation 850, very rare in this country
I don't think winter has ever departed here. It will probably stay here until May
Walking downhill... good thing I could make use of the sides, they gave me wore grip.
Crazy conditions, totally not expected this after checking the weather forecast.
Close to Marianske Lazne, I remember that name from driving to Prague from Belgium.
Then there was a section where I did not feel like taking pictures. Somehow I climbed back to 800 meters and the height would stay around 750. It was also super foggy and certain spots were wet. I was starting to get hungry and I saw that process was more than bad, it was terrible. Spending almost three hours over 50 km. I felt in the middle of nowhere.
Finally, after that many miles, the road would descent proper. Then I realized I was only in Karlovy Vary. It was hard to comprehend for me that I had been through such an ordeal and then to know I only moved two districts. I started to toss around the idea of taking the train back...
So foggy, good thing this place does not see a lot of traffic. Not your ideal day for a double century ride.
Staying motivated, that's the key. Never give up
Some positive news then: I noticed during this descent that my V-Brakes with alloy wheels were a good match. Still nothing compared to disc brakes, but they felt solid and reliable.
After this descent, I arrived back in a small town. I saw a gas station and bought a sandwich. Man I was cold! I calculated the road to Rakovnik, because I wanted to take a train there. It was 79 km frmo my location. It sounded like a sweet deal.
Again I found a very long continuous climb, where I rose about 200 meters. This section was followed by 12 km of shorter descents and ascents. Then all of the sudden I saw a sign that indicated Prague.
Prague along route 6. It sounded like a good plan. I did put on my rear lights for extra safety. Route 6 is a big road with a lot of traffic. Even here, I was constantly climbing.
After 15 km this road 6 turned into a freeway and I had to exit the road. Good news: I had finally left Karlovarsky Kraj.
I was led through another series of tiny bumpy roads. A descent brought me to this spot, where I could again access route 6. I had to follow it for a full 25 km here. Again, full of hills.
25 km passed and I made it to Stredocesky Kraj. That was a good feeling. It meant I was nearing Prague.
I stopped here for a snack and a drink. It would be my last break before coming home.
Krusovice, must be some Czech local specialty
Really, really old building
Remarkably, my ride turned for the better. The weather improved and the temperature even rose above zero. I was sent along route 16, which had less traffic. From there, I was sent through several small villages. Again, many hills to face. This part of the ride was really enjoyable. I had decided that I would not be taking a train. I would ride the whole thing back to Prague.
From the few thousand miles I have already ridden in this country, I can only say that the Czech republic has no flat roads. Everything is a hill. A mere distance of 100 km will surely give you around 1000 m of elevation.
A funny name if you know Dutch
From here it was about 50 km. I saw a nice range of tiny villages. My early morning stress made way for a relaxing Sunday afternoon tour through the Czech hinterland.
Relaxing of course in the sense that you can take hills without trouble.
22 km from Prague and still I was cycling completely different roads from the day before. That was cool.
This panorama was taken after 4 pm, it would be dark in one hour. About 19 km from home.
Then I entered the city of Prague. I was led through some nice tiny alleys, but in the end I still had to go through a section with tram rails. I proceeded with care.
Just after darkness, I arrived home safe and sound. 202 km for this ride, 437 for the weekend. total of 5500 m elevation and about 20 hours of riding. This has been my most successful cycling weekend in this country. Hopefully there is more to come...
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