Garmin Activity. https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1379115108
215 km, 8h09, 1312 h. Trip rating 80%
Breakfast was ready from the day before, so I woke up around 5.30, had breakfast, got ready and went outside. I think that was around 06.30.
It was still dark, not like during the summer days with early daylight.
206 km to Bratislava and I had to be there before 18.10. There was a minor time pressure
The hotel was at 450 meters but it was a lot of climbing in the first 20 km. Collected around 300 m of elevation gain.
Beautiful countryside sunrise on the last Sunday of September.
The moon was even visible. Can you see it up there?
I got a chance to use my newly purchased bike lights too. I am wearing all the textile I had with me and it was still cold around 2 degrees.
As I had seen on the map, I crossed to the South Moravia region in less than 10 km. I would follow this region into Austria.
Slowly daylight befell upon me
Another beautiful snapshot
I felt like an artist who had come to the most of remote places to work on his painting in complete solitude. There was a special atmosphere surrounding this very instant.
Rides like these make me understand why I am working in Czechia. It is not about Prague, it is more about Central Europe.
Lovely descent through a forest area. Altitude dropped around 150-200m here
Good morning guys, taking on day 2 of my mission
At first I was a bit concerned about time because of apparent hills. Luckily after the forest descent, it was flat as far as the eye could reach. There was a 10 km stretch where I could uphold +30kmph. It did my average speed a lot of good.
I passed through the town of Rosice and I was pretty sure I also passed it when I cycled from Ceske Velenice to Brno. But that was from a completely different angle and timezone.
Making miles on these flat sections needs to be done
European cycling infrastructure meant that I was nearing the border
I stopped here for a quick snack and I bought a bottle of water. I forgot to bring euros so I had to do my shopping here
Taking a left to Vranovice
70 km done of this ride and I had entered the flat section of the country. It was a big help for my progress
Still cold after a few hours of riding
Open fields...
Ivan, name of one of my colleagues
Many lakes and swamps in Czech republic but no seas
Another beautiful spot that made me turn on the camera and make a report
About 25 km from the Austrian border
Sunday morning out in the fields
I noticed I was approaching a big lake. There were also more cyclists here
Almost seemed like a painting
It became even better...
A bridge crossed the middle of the lake and there were stunning sceneries of the sun playing with the water.
Oh my, what a pretty view!
I made quite a few shots here
Crossing the bridge
Then I found myself on the Breclavska, or the street that runs to Breclav, the border city if you will.
Here I was, in the absolute southeast of Czech republic. The train I will be taking later today will also halt in this town.
Austria was very close now
Still pretty flat out here and almost 100 km collected
YEAH
Impressive church
PIzzeria Maffioso, what a nice name!
According to my GPS this was near the border. That is why I stopped here and make a last report about my progress
I also had a snack, put out my jacket as it became warm and then continued my journey
Pozor Statni Hranice, the border between Czechia and Austria
And from the other side> Achtung Staatsgrenze
A pity there was no Welcome to Austria sign, but that's what you get from cycling through small roads
I was in Austria for about 30 km. Most of it was flat, with a few stingers
At this point I had completed 50% of today's ride and 75% of the total ride. Feeling good!
Austria was once again beautiful
I met a cyclist here with who I chatted for a few minutes. I told him I had cycled from Belgium to Prague and then from Prague to Bratislava. He was impressed. He wished me a safe trip. It gave me more willpower for the remainder.
I was on the Breclav-Wien cycling trail
9 km from the border with Slovakia
Another flat section where 30kmph average was a walk in the park
A feeling of excitement started brewing deep inside me, within only a few moments I would cycle in Slovakia, a country where I had never been before.
On my way to Bratislava
Border area where Czechia, Austria and Slovakia come together.
Staatsgrenze
Bye-bye Austria, nice to visit you again
Now the last part of the journey was beginning: the Slovak part to Bratislava
I walked over this bridge on pedestrian side because I wanted to take a picture of the border
Here I was! For the third time ever, first time by bike, in Slovak Republic. I officially visited all neighboring countries of Czechia by bike now. Good statistic!
I made a video report here as well.
Same division in Kraj and Okres as in Czech Republic. Makes sense, less than 30 years ago they were one country
There was a slight time pressure because I wanted to also visit to hotel where Narmin and I were one month earlier, to pick up her jacket. For that, I had to do some extra miles but I did not have a lot time for it.
So I started racing and riding very fast. Luckily it were all plains so avg speed was high
When I stopped here it was 13.00 and I had 5 hours before the train, but around 80 km to go plus visit at hotel. I ate almost all my snacks here so I wouldnt feel hungry the remainder of the ride. That part worked out just fine
From there it was a few longer segments, but all relatively flat: 9km, 12km, 14km, 7km etc. All tiny roads with many potholes
There was an older cyclist riding behind me. He was enjoying my speed. I talked with him a little and he was amazed that I came from Belgium. Quickly after that our roads separated.
During this whole Slovakia part, my speeds were well above 30 kmph and progress was good. It became apparent that I would have the time to go to that hotel and try to get the jacket.
Sunday afternoon in Slovakia
So many tiny roads, it was the charm of Slovakia
Little town called LAB
Distance to Marianka started to decrease, which meant Bratislava was also close
A legendary ride in the making
19 km left to Bratislava
I would arrive at the hotel a little after 3> I did all those segments in just two hours. Crazy!
All of the sudden the tiny road to the left led me here. I remember this spot from when I was here wth mom. We came from the road behind me. It was a striking feeling to be here with my bike.
Going straight ahead, about 2km to the hotel, going slightly uphil
I remembered all of this too
Marianka, here I am! 15.10 and 3 hours left for everything
Hotel Ivica, I spent 30 minutes inside but they did not have Narin's jacket anymore
At least I tried...
Now it was time for the very last part of the ride: going to Bratislava. It was about 22km fom here and I would be there around five, with still one hour spare for the train ride
One last glimpse of Marianka, dont know if I will ever come back here
I remember that by car we were riding on a highway like road, but by bike it was a combination of many tiny roads
In often terrible conditions
Most probably this was the road we drove over
Beautiful landscapes
In Bratislava I first had issues finding the station, because the GPS did not have the exact same address. I asked the directions and at a certain point I recognized the street and I found it. Good old photographic memory
It was 17.08 when I arrived. One hour before the train
A very successful 430 km ride, without any troubles. Good job!
The screen already mentioned the train to Praha Hlavni Nadrazi. I had a quick meal in the restaurant there and bought a bottle of water. Then I headed for the train.
This ride turned out to be longer than Saturday's ride, albeit with less elevation gain
And another record, even though I am not quite sure that is correct.
I arrived home around 23.00, being very tired
