Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1379115073
231 km, 8h23, 2457hm. Trip rating 90%
I originally planned to cycle to Vienna but three things made me change that to Bratislava: 1) Narmin's jacket 2) Difficulty of bike on train from Vienna 3) I have never cycled in Slovakia before
So off I was on Saturday morning. The first part was the usual connection Cesky Brod - Kourim - Kutna Hora
Saturday morning with a bunch of miles ahead of me
Very early in the ride I noticed something bad: the 23-25T spot of my cassette somehow got stuck together, as a result I could not use either one of them. It posed some difficulties for climbing, which had to be done in a tougher gear.
Saturday morning was very calm
I did not make many photos on the part to Kutna Hora as I have been there several times
In the city center of Kutna Hora
Oh yeah, I was riding my rim brake Roubaix this time. Main reason for that is that I did not hear many good things about Slovakia, so better to be careful. And of course there is the train ride...
Cozy little street within Kutna Hora
Local market going on
Didnt buy anything though
After Kutna Hora things started getting more interesting
I headed in the direction of Caslav, further Southeast.
Actually I had only visited that area once before, during a ride to Trebic in February. Where did those seven months go so suddenly?
Cycling near Caslav
And then there was a series of tiny villages, open fields and elevation gain
A little before 100 km, I arrived in the Vysocina region, known for hills and beautiful sights
I took a snack here and even made a post on FB. Now that I have that modem, I have internet everywhere. But on the other hand, I will not let that affect my riding too much. Focus is still on the miles.
Further Southeast from there
It was chilly in the morning, but it got better around noon. I got to take off that jacket
Vilemov, town of Vysocina in the year 2003.
City hall
There was a little Potraviny here, I stopped for bananas and water and gave Narmin a call.
Beauty as far as the eye can reach
This area brought me from 200 m to 600 m. I stayed above 500 m for a very long time.
Nothing fake about that smile. The hardest part of a ride is always to put on your clothes and hit the road. Once you are past that 100 km mark, it almost feels as if I become mentally connected with the bike and I go on automatic pilot.
I had cycled to Trebic before, which was in this area, but I was sure I never rode these roads before. I was sent through a whole new network of tiny roads
Thank you for this Garmin!
At some point Brno was even indicated. It made me question if I had been ambitious enough in planning my night over at 215 km from Prague. Maybe I should have done it in Brno, which is 30 km closer to Bratislava?
Even though there was a bit of climbing, progress was good. I left around seven and I was able to deliver on all the in between deadlines I had set out.
This area had a nice long 12% climb. With my 23 and 25T out, it was out of the saddle time fo rme
Climbing out of the saddle and jammering that body weight as far up front as you can, pushing the bike over that hill, showing mother earth you have no intentions of raising that white flag, that is an awesome feeling.
Strikingly beautiful! It compelled me to halt and make a video report
Not only was this super beautiful, it was also extremely calm. Two in one shot!
Feeling high here at elevation 618 meters
The journey southeast on the map brought me to the district of Zdar nad Sazavou. Sazavou refers to the river.
No shortage of crappy roads in this area
Nice view, only downside is I had to interrupt a downhill momentum for this shot
Some 130 km in the pocket
It was 13.30 and I had done 140km/210km. With two-thirds done well ahead of schedule, I decided I could stop at a little restaurant for a snack. I stopped here, ordered soup with gulash, had my GPS charged and studied the map.
This was the town of Racin. In the end I sat here for an hour.. At 14.30 I only had 70 km left. Pretty relaxing time schedule!
Leaving after my meal. Btw I felt that meal for the rest of the ride. It was very filling.
Skies looking more than OK
Some random forest area, always gives nice effects
I like to imagine being that Daxueshan here
I was still floating around 500 meters, hence the nice views
Downhill section
Freedom at last in my hard earned weekend!
Nice channel
ZZzzzZzZzZzZzzzz....
What are you smiling at?
At some point there was a cycling trail for a few miles, there were many people
The whole area was new to me. Knowing that fall and winter are coming, I tried my best to enjoy these good.
C routes without traffic
I had to make an emergency stop because there was a shitload of glass all over the place. I picked up my bike, walked past it, inspected my tires thoroughly and then continued cycling. A recipe for disaster if you would not be careful.
Somewhere around 16.00 in the afternoon
Not many flowers anymore. It is mostly just grass and sand
I like taking landscape pictures a lot more than city ones.
At a certain point I was running out of water. I didnt find any gas stations or shops and to prevent the situation from getting out of hand, I stopped at a small bar. They only had beer of Kofola (a Czech soda) to offer, no water, no tea, no nothing. I drank two portions of half a liter because I was thirsty. I am glad I did so because after that it still took me more than a full hour to find drinks.
This was about 35 km from my destination.
12 km segment along this road
Some minor stingers in forest area
All of the sudden a very steep section, which I took out of the saddle again
I am often happy that my bike frames fit 28 mm tires neatly. It is really the best for these crappy Czech roads.
A view over my handlebar
Some road works but luckily I could pass
I am so happy I had this bike reassembled. Even with the somewhat cheaper parts it is still a great bike.
Taiwanese container on Czech truck
Close to Trebic, which meant I was close to getting there. Unlike last ride however, I did not take the 360, but went straight ahead along smaller roads.
Straight ahead it was
Which let to this beautiful evening scenery
Over my shoulder view
District of Trebic, less than 20 km to cover
Amazing view!
Downhill section again
I finally found a gas station on the right here. I stopped for a drink and calculated distance to Bratislava. It was 220, but minus the 16 to hotel it was 204 km. It seemed more than I had hoped, but doable.
Stats after 200 km, average speed well of 25 km.
90% of the first part completed. So far, so good...
Namest nad Oslavou, less than 10 km
Typical Czech church
Ten kilometers left
I could notice the daylight being shorter than it was in the summer. I will have to take this into account for future rides...
I am happy with how this ride unfolded
Straight ahead, almost there
5 km to Namesti nad Oslavou. There were still a few hill sin this last part.
Here was one to start with
And there I was! Another all-day ride successfully accomplished. Still needed to find my hotel
I checked out the square, it was nice
Made a quick report here as well
I took a moment to enjoy this view and look back at today's ride
The two km to the hotel still had a long steep climb. I climbed back to 450 meters
My hotel for the night, only 450 crowns, very cheap.
It looked nice and the people were very friendly
I had every reason to give this one 10/10 rating on booking.com
I had a good meal and hit the sack on time. It would be 206 km more to Bratislava. Over and out for this Saturday!
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