Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1354989483
165 km, 6h58, 1551 hm. Trip rating 80%
I had breakfast around 7.30 and hit the road somewhere around 8.00. This hostel was good for once in a lifetime only. To think that they charged me 800 Czech crowns is a bit much...
But the dominant feeling was happiness. I was in Czech republic and today I would arrive in Prague
It was only 30-40 km to my first landmark of the day. the three-nations-dot in Zittau, where Poland, Germany and Czechia meet.
I headed further east from Sluknov
I stopped at the potraviny to the left to buy some snacks and water. I had asked them directions last night.
Last day of my monster ride
The first part was going uphill to some 450 meters
The small town of Jirkov in the hills of northern Czechia
Cycling infrastructure in Czechia. Even though the roads are crappy, these yellow signs are consistent over the whole country
I was heading for the Czech-German border
Neugendorf already indicated on the map
This was the border, nothing spectacular but I was in Germany
The day began again chilly, like the whole week
Another tranquil area
It was the Saturday of a week spent entirely on the saddle
Zittau, that is where I was going
I passed a whole series of tiny villages with hilly and narrow roads. It looked like a medieval fairy tale.
Narrow roads with German style homes everywhere
I last pumped up my bike tires in Leipzig and it seemed that I would make it to Prague without setbacks
Adorable houses, I have already gotten used to them after three crusades through Germany
Notice this gentle gradient, the whole section was like this, either uphill or downhill
Zittau in 5 km
In straight line to Zittau
Am I the only one cycling out here or what???
This rider already collected more than 1000 km this week and still counting
Zittau city center. I just entered the name Zittau in my GPS but it did not automatically bring me to the three nations dot. I opened the map on the GPS and indicated the dot on the three border sites. That was another 3.67 km
Zittau itself looked like every other German city
Notice the white writing: Dreilanderpunkt
Dreilanderpunkt, the three nations dot, to the right
This cycling trail led to that dot. Some nationalistic features for the homes on German side.
Here I was, the location where Germany, Czech republic and Poland collide. Standing here made me feel mighty. I visited the Three-Nations-Dot of Belgium, Netherlands and Germany on my previous ride and now this one.
There was a river without bridge (!) here so I could not officially stand on the Polish side.
I made a video clip here and enjoyed the moment before heading back to Prague.
Then I let my GPS do the last calculation of the journey> the way home to Prague
One last look at one of history's very controversial border lines
121 km to my place, that seemed very relaxing. It would total my ride at 1160 km.
Some information about this border region
Of course offered in trilingual version
From Zittau I first went back into Czech republic
The yellow bike signs is what makes me realize I am back in Czech republic
On Czech site there were quite some hills, one spot even had 100m elev gain at once.
The day started to get better, I was on schedule and the feeling of achievement grew greater every second.
Just a mere 100 km away from completing a third ride across Europe
Forest area with ups and downs
This was the Liberec region of Czech republic, I had never been on this specific location
District of Ceska Lipa meant I was getting again one step closer
Mighty biike
Depiction of Jesus Christ
Czech hills
The sun started to show itself
A list of place names I did not know
It started getting very warm so I took out my jacket and prepared for summer mode
This area was beautiful. It would for sure not be my last visit here...
There was a fair gong on here. Didnt go in since I could not really take anything with me.
The first time I saw Prague indicated on the signs made me feel great. Although the mileage was not right. From this spot it was around 85 km to home.
Arriving in Prague's sphere
This could qualify for the nicest third of September ever
This was fun, rounding up this trip and enjoying the process
Prague 75 km, that was a more realistic estimation. It meant a little over three hours of cycling only
There was a 13 km segment here where I saw plenty of cyclists
I recognized this area from a previous ride.
By now I knew exactly where I was. I did all of this somewhere in June.
The road works were still there and I had to go over Route 9 for a few miles
69 km from my doorstep
It became even better: I found myself on the route from Dosky to Prague, the route I did together with Narmin when we visited Machovo Jezero
Every corner and every twist reminded me of that ride
Jak se mate? DobreN!!!
Remember this one, Narmin?
With Dobren behind me it was only a bit more than 50 km to home.
Another one for Narmin: Here we sat down when you were thirsty and hot, not long after that we found a gas station with a little shop.
This area added more beauty to the ride
I passed a bunch of villages next to Melnik, such as Vsetaty.
From there it went in the direction of Kestelec nad Labem and then Brazdim.
In the direction of Brandys nad Labem
Less than 20 km here, less than one hour before completing this monster ride
After the distrcit of Melnik came the district of Prague East.
10 km from this spot
I ended up in Brazdim, which is 7 km from home. I took the usual route over Velen and Mirovice
Then I saw the sign of Praha-Cakovice
Two km from my doorstep! What a great feeling!
WELCOME TO PRAGUE, the Capital of the Czech republic. I made it! And without a single flat tire or other kind of setback.
1160 in six days. Now I had Saturday evening and Sunday to relax a little. Work would start again on Monday.
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