March 25, 2017: A near 270 km race against sunset to Jesenik, just like last year

Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1643476482

364 km, 10h49, 3023 hm

Mission of the day? Repeating my crazy stunt of exactly one year ago, which was cycling 270 km to Jesenik on the last day before daylight saving's time.

I rode the exact same route as last year so  did try to keep the amount of pics down. Here is one during sunrise. Oh yeah, I woke up at 3 and started cycling at 4. Yup, that crazy!

I had already left Cesky Brod behind me when it became affordable to turn off the bike lights

Somewhere near Kourim, in between Cesky Brod and Kutna Hora

Dont be fooled by these pics, it was still very cold, -4. The first three hours I was suffering because I underdressed for that one

70 km in the saddle and Kutna Hora is there

Found a little shop in a tiny town. I stopped for a second breakfast. Exactly 3 hours of cycling done

At this point it was less than 200 km left and the weather was getting better

Lost in the vast fields of Czechia

Around 8.30 I already accomplished my first hundred km. Progress was mighty good!

The road was not super hilly until this point, where I entered the Pardubice regon. Here it became more interesting.

mini celebration: I already cycled through Prague and Central Bohemia.

Last year I did this ride on the exact same day. That made me reflect an awful lot about the last 365 days

One of the few spots where I had a quick break: a power bar, a drink and back on the road!

Cyklotrasy, gimme more!

Somewhere in between Kutna Hora and Pardubice

The Pardubice region is incredibly long and it runs over sections from both Czechia and Moravia. I did more than 120 km within this area alone.

One of Czechia's picturesque romantic ancient churches

District of Usti nad Orlici, 150 km done here. I was very close to the point where I had less than 100 km left.

Less pictures and breaks means better progress. Not bad on a tight schedule like today

It is by revisiting that I realized I have been here before twice, once in March 2016 by bike and once in September 2016, as my Portuguese colleague Carlos lives nearby. The name Chocen rang a bell

Inspirational building

Then I entered the KOM stage of the ride, with 1800 meters of climbing in less than 100 km.

It made perfect sense: I was connecting to the Jesenik mountains

Lots of climbing leads to the occasional decent. Some straight sections make way for top speeds. I had 61 today

Tiny roads leading through the hills

A sudden sensation that the weather might get ugly befell upon me

It was intriguing how my brain remembered every little section of this never ending route.

Up and at them! 8% was the standard for these hills

This is indeed a beautiful and calm area

Here, I climbed all the way to +600. And it was often steep

This might be my favorite view of the whole day. It is also the moment where I completed 200 km. It meant less than 70 km left. More good news: It was only 2 pm. Very neatly ahead of schedule

Look at it! 200 km in less than eight hours with 2k of climbing. Averaging 25kmph. Sweet

Old German style house

The thought that summer time would begin tonight was extra motivating 

Poland! Last year I went in, this year I felt no need for it.

Presumably part of the Jesenik mountains

I stayed on the 600 + plateau for some time. The views were awesome!

And then there was a very long descent. 12 km during which I dropped back to 400 meters. I made a lot of speed to compensate my average speed. This is where I officially entered the Olomouc region

Near the town of Hanusovice. Looks a little like Taroko gorge in Taiwan

From this spot just 35 km left. Lay back and relax

Jesenik less than two hours away. But there is a lot of climbing left in this area

Jesenik here I come!

Soon after that I climbed back all the way to 650. It was a very steep climb also

There it was like 12%

How cute! A little town with my name in it!

Just beautiful!

Only 20 km left...

District Jesenik. Here I first climbed to a peak of 750 meters and then there was a very long descent to 400 again. During that downhill I developed some lovely speeds

Descending to the town Jesenik

Here we are! Jesenik! I found my hotel, had a good meal and went to bed early. I was very tired.

But those numbers are just colossal. Excellent Work !!!