Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1398381877
113 km, 4h24, elev. 745 hm. Trip rating 80%
Nothing spectacular this weekend. There was a company party on Friday and Saturday was rainy and windy. Sunday morning initially seemed to be wet as well but when I noticed it would stay dry, I went for a little ride anyway.
I headed up north from Cakovice to Neratovice. Actually it was my GPS telling me where to go, since I planned a 100 km round trip.
That first section reminded me of a trip to Hrenso. I did it a few times before.
Was only a medium range ride, but at least I was outside
From Neratovice, I connected to Route 9 which then led me to Melnik. Been there done that.
I bought some snacks in Melnik and took the time to enjoy my first ride on this disc brake bike since some time. Swapped the tires this morning.
The mud guard, should it rain, at least I will have a dry behind
In Melnik the GPS showed me some newer stuff, there was a long climb which led me here
I was not going through this lane but there was a forest area here
Lot of signs, most important one for me was that Vysoka was 5 km away from here. Vysoka is already legend for me since 1) the Machovo Jezero ride with Narmin and 2) My return ride from Belgiun, arriving in Prague on September 3rd. Yes, yes, many cyclomemories (yes that is a word)
Going to Vyska, which means high in Czech. It will not surprise you it is actually located higher than the surrounding townships and villages.
Many clouds, gusty winds, quite chilly but dry so far
Vysoka is located around 370 meters and it gives a nice view to fields and valleys. It looks even better in real life, and the fresh air and the absence of disturbing noises. You should go check it out.
Charming in its own manner
SW Roubaix disc, great ride
Riding along with Bartman, one of the heavyweights of Czech cycling society
Vysoka. It was so cool that I entered from the only other road there is in this town. That fact made me link a lot of roads and areas together.
One more...
You will all see a small gas station. I on the other hand see memories of a legendary bike ride to Machovo Jezero. Narmin was very thirsty and after giving her all my own drinks, we were dried up. In mid-summer, this little gas station brought salvation. Just because of that, I made a completely unnecessary purchase here today.
From macro perspective, I entered the Kokorinsko region. It is a forest area not far from Prague. You can google it and then you can find also the places Vysoka and Dobren.
Dobren, what a mythical location!
During this segment I met another cyclist. His name is Linor and he is a teacher in Melnik. He saw a good chance of practicing German with me and that became the language for this exchange. We cycled together for about 35-40 km. Coincidence has it that he was going the same way as my GPS programmed this whole section.
We chatted a lot and he told me many things about Czech history. Very interesting stuff!
At some points I had to take a picture. He just had to live with that reality
This was already in the Liberec region, district of Ceska Lipa.
The following section was very nice, never been here before.
I took a few shots while riding
Doesn't happen often that I ride with someone so let's just enjoy it. For the record: this guy was not very slow for riding that bike.
Apparently during World War II, when the Western part of Czechia was occupied by Germany, the so called Sudetia, this was a school for German children.
Not far from here there is a castle on a hill. I will pay that site a visit in a future ride
The coolest part about this ride is the historical background provided by a local
All of this is within the Kokorinsko area, which apparently in the summer is intensively visited by people from Prague
We went through a town that used to be the border between the German Empire and Czechia. Very confronting historical facts.
And that pub on the left was opened a hundred years ago by an Austrian soldier.
This road connected to a road I already knew. Not long after that, my new friend had to go back to Melnik, I myself had 40 km left to home. I took his phone nr and maybe I will ride again with him.
The remainder of the ride was familiar territory, it is what I had done on September 3rd coming home to Prague after the Belgium ride.
A few hills which resulted in nice views.
Nothing special about this spot other than the fact it's exactly 30.0 km to my door.
Project financed by the EU. It is more difficult to find a project in CZ which is NOT financed by the EU...
This is a crispy new road and my GPS even sent me in. However, unfortunately not all of it was paved.
So I went in a few hundred meters to turn back to the normal road.
My 28mm tires might be strong and very puncture resistant, I hate the crappy grip in wet gravel. So this was a no...
One of many relics of Jesus Christ that are scattered across Czechia.
About 20 km left to home, all is going smoothly
Yeah! It may not have been a glorious blockbuster crusade this weekend, but at least I was outside with the bike.
Some small town close to Prague
Tisice, which means one thousand in Czech. Maybe because this village altogether is worth one thousand euros.
I saw Taiwan's Evergreen a few weeks ago, this time it is Mainland China's China Shipping.
Kostelec nad Labem in front of me. This meant 13 km left
Along these fields I enjoyed the sunset. It is noticeably getting dark earlier. Winter is coming...
But this section of the ride, with cooler temperatures and early darkness made me think back of last year, when I just came to Czechia. Those rides where also majestic, embedded in their own aura of mystery. I will face that winter with many lights and warm clothes, but the outcome will be epic rides
Funny how a bike ride can sooth my mood and turn a smile on my face. It also struck me that It has been four years since I am riding road bikes. I have been riding city bikes and MTBs my whole life, but my first road bike was purchased in October 2012.
Less than ten km from home
Beautiful picture, the sun was exactly in the right corner
Image of a joyful ride
No this is not a Hitler sign. I was saluting the sun...
This one is better
This morning I changed my tires on both road bikes, all four wheels now have this Schawalbe Durano 28mm tire with reflective side. These are robust, endurant, reliable and safe. My perfect companion for winter rides. The objective is to finish these tires this winter, which means I have to do enough miles.
Right before total darkness, I made it to Prague. I had already put my light on before that, just wanna be absolutely sure that motorists see me.
After 113 km I arrived home. It was around six thirty and I still had the time to write the blog the same day. Glad to have been outside. If the weather is favorable, there should be a two-day ride next weekend.
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