Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1471698000
163km, 7h42; 2532hm. Trip rating: 90%
This weekend ride was something else. I planned a 160km loop with Basecamp, that would lead me to Tabor and on Sunday I would head back home. In the evening, I would meet Narmin and her friend in Tabor for a nice evening.
When I checked online I saw that it would be minus six, so I dressed up in the best way I could, with many layers of everything
Only 15 km from home that temperature dropped to -9.2, by which it already broke the record of coldest ride ever. I once had -8.9 in February
Even though it was so cold, it was dry and the roads were very fit for cycling. When daylight was very visible, I already left Prague city.
Well covered up rider
Winter equipment with lights, beefy tires, disc brakes etc.
The first segment of the ride was to Sazava, a place I have never been because my GPS always sends me to Kutna Hora. This time I made my own route with Basecamp
Near Mnichovice I noticed the temperate dropped to minus ten. I was shocked!
The grass and trees were frozen solid, luckily the roads were good to go
Double negative digits, that has never happened to me in cycling terms!
A view over the fields
The good part about this ride is that there were many hills to keep me warm. All I had to do is attack
It didn't stop there, it because a full fledged minus 11. Record breaking!
I stopped here for a movie, I just had to share this moment
Minus eleven on a dry day, hospitable for cycling. Very peculiar
It would be a hilly ride today
After two hours of cycling, the sun started showing itself.
I was well aware that this would be a unique ride. Not often to these temperatures facilitate cycling. It was something I could easily enjoy
Sazava in only seven km
A bit over 50 km completed and I was in Sazava, named after the river.
This river probably runs to the city of Tynec nad Sazavou which I know well
Ice cold country side
After Sazava the next dot on my route was Vlasim.
I selected these places by looking at the maps and seeing where there are many forests and thus hills
Nobody out here but me, not a shocker right
The rising sun brought the temperature to a more acceptable minus eight
Vlasim was 30 km away from Sazava and would be my half way point
A few steep climbs and descents kept me busy, I was happy to have disc brakes
Jingle bells... Christmas time
Frozen solid vegetation
A somewhat longer descent let to this semi offroad terrain. It led me to Cesky Sternberk.
Mind the castle in the background
Cesky Sternberk and its castle, another new discovery
Vlasim in 15 km
As long as I did not stop too often, this was bearable. My body was warm, I was constantly moving and I was well wrapped up like a box of chocolates
Inspiring panorama that seduced me into making a videoreport
Collecting more elevation
As noon approached, the temperatures became more bearable and the views more stunning
The bright sun completed the paradox of the day
The self composed route with many unknown spots was very enjoyable
As you can see this road was in perfect condition for cycling
Very nice
There are so many forests in Czech republic
These pictures don't do the real view any justice, but it gives you an idea
I stopped here for a break as this was the 80km halfway point. The little bench was covered by the sun so it was warm enough to be bearable. I charged my GPS, ate some cookies and then hit the road again.
Beautiful statue of Jesus
The route would lead me into the Visocyna region and then back to Tabor
Strangely enough I found myself on a familiar spot. Probably I rode here when I went to Trebic in the beginning of the year. Anyway, it gave me a feeling of orientation.
It made me think of how long I am already here and all the discoveries I have done so far.
More climbing...
I recognized this gas station and had a drink here. While I stopped here, an older couple came to speak with me. They recently cycled in the Netherlands. That was a nice talk.
They also praised this bike
Then a good, long climb started
It went all the way to 600+, some parts of the road had ice so I had to be careful
On top of that climb I saw pure beauty
This plateau of 600m+ lasted for quite some time
Ice Ice Baby
Stark contrast with the sun
This area was going up and down a lot
More ice on the road, it decreased my speed as I had to proceed with caution
One of the most beautiful pictures of today
Notice how frozen solid that lake water is
There was a magical aura surrounding this ride
Clear blue skies
It is a pity that daylight time is so short in the winter. I would love to have done a longer ride in these settings.
Just as I had seen on the maps, I made the crossing to Vysocina. From here it was 50 km left and I would be able to finish that before darkness
I took a break here, ate a snack and charged my GPS for the last time
Then I entered the town of Techobuz, which I had indicated on my map.
A lot of this area reminded me of the Znojmo and Trebic rides.
Clearly the sun was already setting
Into the next forest
Here, the roads were noticeably more icy. This required caution
Still very motivated: dealing with the subzero temps quite well, progress is good and the views are stunning.
Cute little train
Tabor was getting closer. For me it was still 35 km from here
Also a very enchanting snapshot with the setting sun flashing over the white ice and snow.
This day was filling me with new sensations. It also made me think how time can pass so fast. It seems like yesterday that I cycled to Bratislava in the warm days of September.
I had to walk over that railroad, it was too icy and slippery
Here there was no way for me to cycle. I walked on the sides. Luckily that was a very brief moment
Yet another astonishing piece of nature unfurled in front of my eyes
Time was running out... Still 22 km left
Entering south Bohemia again. I quickly ate one more snack and then it went to Tabor in a direct line
Winter tires advised in the winter. Interesting...
At this moment I understood that 160km was a very good estimation for a winter ride. Just enough, not too much, not too little.
I descended back to lower lands and that meant bye bye snow
There was one annoying section along a big road with a lot of traffic, but I made it into Tabor
I recognized everything from previous visits. It was nice to be here again.
I had to do a little very steep 15% climb to get here. It made me reach 2.5K elevation today
A nice picture to close the ride. I had made it here before darkness and I had a wonderful ride. I took a shower in the hotel and had dinner with Narmin and her friend. It was a nice day
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