Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1083936083
145 km, 6h01, elevation 1689 m. Trip rating 80%
昨天晚上看到下雪的痕跡，今天早上發現外面是一片雪白。該如何平安無事地離開這海拔860的冰天雪地呢？幸好我有認真在學習捷克文，民宿的老闆答應載我下山，只要付油費既可。算運氣很好了！跟上次被死老太婆趕走的經驗形成了強烈的對比！
早上先慢慢用早餐，穿好衣服，九點下山。離開山脈之後也看不到雪了。這就是地理學裡面所說的 [迷你氣候]。下車之後先規劃好回布拉格的路線，距離145公里。我猜大概六個小時，畢竟沿途有許多爬坡路段。
上午還下雨，讓我覺得比較煎熬。騎了大概一個多小時之後雨勢終於停下來。其實回程跟昨天的路是一抹一樣，這也沒有關係，早上我還在擔心必須坐火車回家，現在可以騎車，我已經很滿足了。
沿途只有一個規模比較大的城市。經過那裡的時候剛好一點種，於是我決定在那邊休息吃午餐。自己準備好東西真的太好了，可以隨時吃，可以決定要吃什麼，而且可以不要去買東西，因此車子不用離開視線。扛四百多公里也沒有關係，都值得！
下午的天氣有好轉，往布拉格的距離漸漸地縮短。當我已經確定會在黑暗之前回家，心情變得很踏實，剩下的騎乘就沒有勉強什麼，順氣自然。只有爬坡路段，我還是得盡量進攻，抽車，發威！最近兩個月又瘦了六公斤，很明顯地可以感覺得到。一直衝上去都沒有累，很爽的感覺。
最後一段是經過布拉格市。禮拜天下午的市區遊客多的很，尤其是中國人。不知道聽了多少句中文，還我短暫地以為我在台灣了。布拉格市區的石板路以及電車道考驗我的毅力，必須減速慢性，免得卡住率車。我必須要在次說明用了比較寬的28mm外胎也貢不可磨。
下午四點多霸特平安地回家了。儘管有了小小的挫折在山上，可是還是騎了漂亮的350多公里，總升5100米，時間15個鐘頭，可觀的訓練量。下個禮拜會騎比較遠的260公里，而且會有4000米的總升，何況得騎兩躺。所以這個禮拜好好休息！
Remember how I wrote it started snowing yesterday evening? It kept on snowing all night and this is how the outside world looked at six am
White; slippery and with seriously limited vision
Basically I was stuck. I had already considered options for train and bus. Anything that would get me home safely. This moment was the first time that speaking Czech paid off: the hostel owner offered to drive me to Strakonice; where there would be no snow. I would only have to pay for his gas. It was a wonderful deal that got me out of a dreadful situation. I had breakfast and relaxed a little, we left at nine and I arrived in Strakonice somewhere before 10 am.
The railway of Strakonice; that is where my journey began. The snow was really just in the mountains only and I could have cycled even five km away from the hostel; but ok, sometimes you gotta make the right choice and play safe.
The distance to Prague was still 145 km. Considering all the hills and elevation , that meant some six hours of pedaling. At least we had a minimum of cycling today.
Got my bike set up, GPS running, now let's hit the road! Strakonice - Prague, go!
Most of the return was the same ride as yesterday. It was a little cold, it sometimes rained, there were gusty head winds, but the roads were far from slippery.
After 20 km of cycling I understood that point and I started to attack the various hills and descends more aggressively, jumping out of the saddle and pulling my way to the summits.
Of this 145 km to Prague, roughly 45 were in Southern Bohemia. That's where I gained most elevation. I had some 700 meters before I finished my first 50 km. It was a good thing, because it got the motor running and I was anything but cold.
Steep 12% topography within the hills of Southern Bohemia
The setback in the morning was already forgotten, now it was all about the ride. Attack!
The itinerary from Strakonice to Prague brought me through a lot of tiny villages, but also two major towns: Pisek and Pribram
Once again, it was tranquil on these small roads
Approximately one third of the ride completed upon arrival in the Stredocesky region.
I noticed my water cage was banging around a lot, the screw from the frame somehow came lose. I bet it is from all those bumpy roads. Anyway, good thing I always bring my multi-tool. A few twists and I was back on track!
Every now and then you get to see impressive buildings
It was a little after twelve and I was already in Pribram, I was well on track to making it before dark
The same yellow castle I saw yesterday in the center of Pribram. I stopped here to have my lunch.
I had 80 km left from this spot, but they would go faster than the previous 65 km.
Although beautiful, these country side landscapes are all very similar. Sometimes I take a picture whenever I make a sanitary stop. Otherwise, I just enjoy the views without flashing my camera too much.
Lazing on a sunny Sunday afternoon, right?
A section that ran next to the freeway in Voznice
No I am not that crazy
There was a section that rose to sea level 600, quite a lot for this area. Then there was a sudden descent and another climb, which led me to Praha Zapad. Together wit Praha Vychod, these are the regions that surround Prague within Stredocesky Kraj. As you can see, I do not blindly cycle around, I constantly enhance my geographical understanding with place names, regions; elevations etc.
You have to cycle to understand the joy of elevation differences
Prague was coming closer and the weather conditions had somehow improved.
At night these roads can be creepy without one single light
More dark skies ahead of me. Was I gonna encounter more rain?
When I neared the Vltava river, I lost elevation quickly. I dropped from 400 meters to a mere 190.
I was sent along this Vltava for eight km and then I found myself in the city of Prague
Already more than 100 km in the pocket and my estimation of riding six hours today was becoming more apparent.
Prague's cycling infrastructure clearly cannot match Taipei's, whoever thought of this design should be fired at once!
Closing in on the historic center of Prague. Tourists get ready because Bartman is flashing through!
In the city center I was focused on the cobbles and tram rails. Whenever I had a moment, I enjoyed the views. Honestly speaking; way too many tourists out here!
The Vltava, where many tourist boats drift along the current
A quick snapshot now that I was standing at a red light. So many cobbles! I made it home in one piece though...
Home before dark with a perfect estimation of my duration: six hours! Even though I had some setbacks with the snow in the mountains; I still managed to cycle 350 km, elevation 5100 m and 15 hours this weekend. Those are descent numbers to say the least. Next week's ride will be to Znojmo, which is a stunning 260 km from Prague. Stay tuned!
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