Garmin activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1093951266
302 km, 12h03, elevation gain 4168 m. Trip rating 90%
前幾天已經規劃好路線，就看到距離有誇張的259公里之長。因此在禮拜五早點睡著，半夜三點起床，用早餐，穿上衣服，上路。剛出門導航就帶我走未知的路，我只知道在南出布拉格。當白天來臨了，布拉格已經在我後面了。
這次的爬坡非常多，騎了70公里總升已經超過1000了，在100公里處已經達到1600米。感覺今天體力格外旺盛。每一個坡可以進攻，抽車面對，感覺很自在。上午的天氣算鬱悶，灰色的天空偶爾下了滴雨，但後來沒有真正下大雨。這個路線大概只有三種風景，那就是小村莊，森林區跟遼闊的田野。平靜肅穆的大自然陪著我南下。
既然沒有常常停下來拍照，進度就很好。終於是為了騎車而騎，不是為了相片。導航規劃的路線帶我經過捷克的五個省，這也是件值得提到的事情。突然看到路標說奧地利很近，因此我拿導航看看，隨便選一個奧地利的地方，很快到邊界。在那裡拍照，觀賞風景，然後繼續走。往Znojmo的路還要50公里。到了那里大概270公里。
一整天的進度非常好，我開始算算，我就告訴自己：今天是可以騎300公里的日子。沒有很多日子真的可以騎那麼多，但今天就是機會，請務必好好把握時機！我就別浪費時間，趕快去Znojmo！到了之後我先拿導航規劃往南部的奧地利。第二次跨越邊界，這次進去看看幾個鄉下的地方。看到德文突然有種熟悉的感覺，下意識覺得離家比較近，儘管比利時是另一個方向。
當我回到Znojmo的時候，已經天黑了。黑暗的古老城市非常有美麗：都是石板路，古老的建築物，小商店。這不愧是來到捷克務必蒞臨的地方。飯店的招待也很好。晚上我先去外面吃飯了，餓死我了！然後洗澡了，玩了一會兒手機。玩沒多久整個人就捆起來了，睡著了。我這輩子的第二最長騎乘，歐洲陸地的第一好，就這樣結束了。
I knew it would be a long ride. I had already calculated the route a few days before: 259 km! The topography map also showed that I would be encountering some hilly terrain. I turned in before 19:30 on Friday and had a full night's rest when I woke up at 03:15 am. I had a quick breakfast, put on my cycling gear and faced the dark, cold and mysterious world outside of Prague
Ready for action!
Surprisingly the first part of the road was already new terrain. I was sent through some small lanes south of Prague. I knew the direction I was going, but I could not pinpoint my exact location.
I made a few wrong turns and the distance was already increasing to 265 km. I felt a bit stressed when I calculated my potential arrival time. I decided to cut down on pictures and keep my momentum, keep moving.
Mnichovice was on my route, I visited that area when I rode to Kaplice.
My breakfast was good, I was in shape and I was pedaling constantly for several hours. Before even realizing it, I was nearing the first major checkpoint of my trip: the 100 km mark
The skies were overcast and sometimes I felt drops of rain. Luckily it never turned into a downpour
What else was special about this ride? Elevation was more than usual. I had 1000 meters in the first 70 km and I had 1600 m in the first 100 km. It meant that I would probably collect around 4000 m, a gigantic number
The type of surroundings I got to see could be summarized into three bullet points: forests, villages and vast openness.
Traffic was low, elevation was omnipresent and I was enjoying my ride
Some geography: Stredocesky region borders with the Vysocina region, I was heading south east.
Some parts had nice gradients as well. I jumped out of the saddle often and I raced uphill. At times like these I really get to appreciate the stiffness of my SW Roubaix frame.
My body weight has dropped a few kilos in the last few weeks and it paid off: I was agile and nimble uphill, speed was great and the feeling even better.
During these long, vast segments I always engage in thorough pondering. I think about everything, it gives me a moment to get my mind straight.
It appeared that more bad weather was ahead of me. With still some 130 km left, that was not a promising prospect.
Today I was lucky that I did not get blown over by headwinds.
The tranquility of these areas cannot be described in a few words, the feeling is wonderful.
Vast, extensive hills and eye-caressing panoramas
Vysocina region borders with the Southern Bohemia region. This region is known for its many hills.
Don't you ever feel lost in this big outside world? With a Garmin GPS that answer is negative!
Sometimes a small village pops up to get my mind away from these long stretches of country side:
Apparently I was close to Austria here...
I need to learn more about this interesting feature. Am I that close to Austria?
Yet another region popped up in front of me: Jihomoravsky. I have not been here yet.
Already the fifth region I am cycling through today
I searched nearby places on my GPS and saw one in Austria, less than 4 km. In about one km I already saw the border.
I have already cycled to Germany from Prague twice, now I can add Austria to this list.
Good job! It brings some international allure to my cycling diaries
The roads already looked better in Austria
220 km from Prague here, still 45 to Znojmo
Back into the Czech Republic
My beloved SW Roubaix, nearing 18,000 km.
It was less than 50 km to Znojmo and progress was great, regarding the distance and elevation.
An idea began to rise: Wouldn't it be cool if I could cycle 300 km with 4000 m elevation? That killer stat got me motivated for more mileage.
At a certain point, I lost a lot of altitude. I dropped back to 350.
That is where I found this beautiful area. It was so calm and quiet here.
It is almost unbelievable that there are still places like this in the European Union.
This river is called the Dyle
I passed a dam and I crossed the Dyle. There was a tourist area here
It was turning out to be a wonderful afternoon
Then there was a short but very steep climb, which brought me back to elevation 450m.
Nice stats after exactly 10 hours in the saddle. 250km and 3500 m elevation. All of this means excellent average speed. I felt it in every little detail, I was attacking the hills.
The name Znojmo started appearing on the road signs.
Lots of little rocks on these roads. A thick tire is at its place
Locals decorating a tree
There was a section with sand and rocks due to the construction works, but my tires stayed true. Honestly, these Schwalbe Durano Plus are great tires! I will keep using them.
I made it to Znojmo! I checked the time and I decided to go for the more extreme part: accumulate mileage to 300 and elevation to 4000. I selected an Austrian village on the map and started cycling.
I was sent through the city of Znojmo, which offered a great deal of picturesque sceneries.
It started to make sense why this is an worthy destination within the Czech republic.
How tiny the roads were, and full of cobbles
Going south from Znojmo can only mean one thing: leaving the Czech territory
My second visit to Austria in one day. This spot is called The Border Table. It is a meeting point
Republic of Austria
Region of Niederosterreich
Different country, different licence plate.
This view is not much different from a Czech town, except for the German writing...
I began to feel that I was a far end away from Prague
Austrian villages clearly also have cobbles all over the place
Cycling infrastructure
Vienna was clearly indicated on the signs, I was really far from home
Yes this is still Austria
Then I cycled back to Znojmo, it was dark when I got there. I lived up to my numeric expectations. This is my second longest ride ever, but if we consider elevation as well, it should rank as the coolest ride ever.
The view off the castle walls in Znojmo. Too bad it was already dark.
I had to search for it a little, but I found my place to stay the night. I went outside for a nice dinner and then I hit the sack. I was hammered from this ride, I'll tell you that!
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