Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1082084914
206 km, 9h00, elevation 3401 m. Trip rating 80%
這個騎乘一開始就跟別的騎乘不一樣：導航帶我經過布拉格市區。雖然住這裡已經接近半年，可是都沒有去布拉格市。既然到了，多看一下風景。特別為此早一點出門，免得遇到人山人海的殘忍畫面。對於騎士來說，布拉格一點也不舒服，都是石板路跟鐵軌。需要小心謹慎
離開了布拉格市區之後才找到最喜歡的偏僻野外。布拉格在海拔兩百左右，立刻爬到海拔三百五，有利於熱身。整個路線都是漸漸地往西南部遷移。整段距離只有兩個大城市，而且其中只有一個出現在我面前。除此之外只有小小的鄉下地方，連店多沒有的偏僻郊外地區。之所以最愛去那邊就是因為沒有人會想要過自己的周末在那裡，結果適合做本人的練車地板。練車的條件非常有利：爬坡不少，逆風一大堆，風景漂亮，空氣新鮮，沒有吵雜的引擎聲。是單車於大自然的交界。
在 Pribram 我多花了幾分鐘的時間觀賞１９世紀的城堡。這些古老建築物我還蠻喜歡看。這要感謝希特勒對於捷克的了解不多才行。從那邊繼續往南部遷移，很快到下一個省，最有丘陵跟爬坡的省。據我所知是捷克最容易累積總升的地方。這裡會常常來騎車。
最後四十公里海拔漸漸增加，一直爬坡。海拔比較高的地方起霧，也看得到雪。突然看到 Javornik 覺得很奇妙，這是有名的山，怎麼不會先去看看？就這樣爬到海拔１０００看看這座山。只可惜最上面還是很滑因此只爬到海拔９６５。改天再來看看就對了！
下午五點鐘抵達民宿了。這個時候已經開始下雪了。這造成了我對隔天的擔心，到底會不會有辦法下山？我跟民宿老闆聊到天氣遇到，他解釋很多。晚上我在那裡洗澡，po文，吃自己準備的沙拉。大概九點睡著了。
Southwest was the area I would be exploring this weekend. My GPS calculated that it was 178 km to Stachy, where my pension was. My goal was to turn that into a 200 km ride.
Something that was completely different from other rides: I was sent through the city center of Prague. Luckily I had checked this the day before and I decided to head out at 5:30 so I could be ahead of traffic.
I was completely right. Prague was quiet and tranquil at this time of the day. My only points of concern were the cobbles all over the place and the tram rails. I proceeded with care...
I NEVER come here. Actually I will in the summer, after work. Then I will do some riding in ye' good ol' Hlavni Mesto Praha
It was nice to see that the Vltava was also enjoying her Saturday morning. Not long before she will have to put up with all these tourists again.
Honestly speaking, Prague is a beautiful city. I even made a video report here to show my friends in Taiwan that very point.
20 km in the saddle and I was finally through the cobbles section.
The next session were some cycle lanes next to the Vltava. Slowly I was migrating away from the city center. I went south along this river for a good 15 km.
Then all of the sudden I was sent into a tiny street that went uphill seriously. I was directly faced with 9% and more gradient. In one section I climbed from elevation 190 to 350. There, I found a lost paradise of field roads, stunning sceneries and lots of elevation gain.
Prague is behind me, I am out in the wide openness of Czechia. The ride has finally kicked off!
Speaking personally for me, these vast open hills are in perfect contrast with the dense and high mountain ranges I visited on a daily basis in Taiwan. From an athlete's point of view, these hills do not only provide elevation, you will still box up against all these wind flows, which makes the work out harder.
Most of this part was going uphill, to 400 and 450 meters. However, there was one section that dropped right back to 250 m. I had to start the climb all over there. This was near Mala Becice, on the point where Okres Pribram and Praha-Zapad embrace each other.
A few homes, glued together in an Obec (village name).
This store was actually open. I went inside for a bottle of water. I hate buying stuff in crowded areas, so this was my chance.
I left early today and it resulted in my progress being great. At eight am I already did more than 50 km.
Before arriving in Pribram, there were several 8 to 10 km segments that went up and down. All those areas were deserted, no big establishments there.
Nineteenth century castle right in Pribram. I was eighty km from home.
Yikes, more cobbles! Why does every Czech city have cobbles?
Interesting information hee: Tabor was about the same distance from here as Plzen.
Another Zamek blocking the view! Just kidding, it is nice to see these ancient buildings.
Some of these road numbers coincide with road numbers in Taiwan. I always get flashbacks from them.
The clouds were blocking the sun from giving me a lovely day. At least the temperatures were OK and it was not raining.
The most important split on my route: leaving Stredocesky Kraj and entering the region of Southern Bohemia. Why is this so important? I have noticed from several rides that the climb work only starts to kick in in Jihocesky Kraj. It was also true today!
OK, I think I am warmed up now after almost four hours of cycling. Now let's kick some Southern Bohemia ass!
Okres Strakonice. It struck me that I was so close to Strakonice already. Progress was truly wonderful
Now I know how Southern Bohemia looks on a mid-March Saturday
This view kinda reminded me of the Grand Canyon
Geology and topography are very interesting
I have been cycling roughly 10,000 km in this country now and it still strikes me how tranquil these roads are. Where is everybody? I don't see anybody seizing this day and making a nice loop with their bicycle.
Mind the sign at the right: 12% uphill. It is almost like riding against a wall. I love it!
Blatensko popped up in front of me. There was a market on the street and I saw several tourists.
A quick peep to define my current location.
Same castle, different angle
My breakfast was very good. I had it at 5 but I only stopped for food here at 11:30. I did not even stop for a snack. There was a little bench here. I sat here to eat some home made sandwiches. Sitting down for ten minutes cooled down my body a lot. It was time for more hills!
And they came! I was baffled by these country side views. Simply amazing
A no man's land
Make that a one man's land! At least there is one lunatic that is always on the prowl for these kind of stunning panorama's.
Not far from my previous spot
I had already passed the city of Strakonice. Elevation was increasing here. I was climbing a lot more than in my previous segment. This spot was located at 600 meters above sea level.
The higher I climbed, the more snow I could still see. Temperature also began dropping
And there was mist
There were some lengthy climbs here. I found myself in cycling paradise
Elevation and climbing make me really enjoy rides.
Tiny town of Vacov. There was an Asian -run shop here that was open. I made thankful use of that fact for restocking my water supplies.
Everything you ever wanted to know about Vacov
Ain't no Czech town without its own castle
This was 11 km from my hostel. I stopped here to check out the map. I was impressed by the elevation of what was coming next. It was higher than what I had expected. Stachy was at 800+ m
Visibility deteriorated as I increased elevation
700 m above sea level. Look how these hills were playing me around. I would love for Medtronic to just have an office building right here.
Javornik? For real? Is this the spot? I have heard of Javornik before. I checked my map and saw that it was no more than 4 km. I went for it. It was early and progress had been great.
I climbed from 780 to 965 m. The winter was still raging here. I could not do the last 100 meters because of slippery roads
Javornik, I will have a rain check with you in the last spring - early summer!
It felt like Christmas
Here the roads were slippery and icy. I headed back.
At least I have been here. I made a quick video report and took the other little street downhill. It descended back to Vacov and I repeated those 10 km to Stachy.
Stachy was very close
The Sumava area.
If I went straight to my hostel, I would have 193 km. That is a number that I cannot except. It has to be 200! So I looked for more mileage.
In Stachy I saw one town that was located at 5 km from here. Perfect deal: that would get me 10 km and total mileage would be over 200 for today.
Not only the miles increased, also elevation. That entire section went uphill
Good thing was I got to see some authentic high elevation snow landscapes.
I was nearing 900, again!
Views like these remind me that these rides are worthwhile .Staying inside would be a complete waste of a golden opportunity in this journey called life.
Jip, here I am, just chilling on some Czech mountain. Gotta do that occasionally right?
Picturesque villages in the hills
The story of Stachy, it derives from the term Eustachy, which refers to the pre-Slavic history of Czechia.
This was place to spend the night, but it was not easy getting here. The position indicated by my GPS was wrong. I descended to go back to the map and double check. Then I cycled uphill again, to see that the hostel was located all the way on top of the hill. At least I found it
When I got there, it started snowing. That was negative news for the next day.
Good numbers for today! I went inside, had a shower, posted my report, ate my salad and went to bed at nine.
Penzion Rankl Sepp. They did not speak English or German, good thing I have basic Czech. These people were very friendly though.
The view from 860 meters. Not bad at all! Nice location for the night.
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