Garmin activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1720288909
250 km, 3500 hm, 11h15.
My Birthday today! I had taken the day off to go for a bike ride: I had planned a trip of 305 km with a lot of climbing: I woke up at 3 and left at 4: After 30 km of cycling it became light:
Daylight showed that it was a grey day: Weather forecasts predicted rain:
The route would sent me north into Germany and back home: The first 45 km were familiar terrain
30 years old this very day!
At this moment it began raining
It began raining very hard actually and I was looking for shelter
A descent in the pouring rain proved to me why I bought this disc brake bike
It was a strange feeling to descent with control in this rainy weather:
I sought shelter under a rooftop and stayed there 45 minutes: I had a call with mom and spent some time on FB: This delay already made me question the feasibility of a 300 km bike ride:
This weather was unbelievable for May 5th
A long descent brought me to Usti nad Labem
At this point all seemed well: Around 10 in the morning I had finished 100 km:
Down there; Usti nad Labem
Then I was frustratingly sent through some offroad; which not only slowed me down but was also dangerous
It went downhill by at least 10%
Maintaining grip whilst walking was a challenge of its own: Luckily I made it out of there without a scratch:
I passed by the railway station where I often took a train: Not today though:::
In the middle of the town center I was sent up this hill: It was incredibly steep with 15-20% gradient:
Leaving Usti nad Labem was an extremely long climb: Ironically today I was sent along Route 30: I had been trying to find it for a long time and exactly on my 30th birthday it was there: Very nice!
It kept going up! Too bad at this point the GPS did not calculate elevation correctly: It always happens after rain somehow: I estimated I was between 400-500 meters:
See how it keeps going up? It did not stop here yet
Then I saw a little snail who was here all alone: Fascinating!
I made a videoclip of it too
It went further and further up/ Surely I was near 600 meters
On my way to Petrovice; which is located at the border. Progress was very slow and I started playing with the thought of not pressing too much for it.
And further up! Exactly two years ago; when I turned 28; I did a ride in Taiwan and that day it also rained very hard! Last year on my 29th birthday I went home and I bought this disc brake Roubaix.
Petrovice; very close to Germany now
Around 700 meters high it was foggy wet and cold: It did not look anything like May 5th.
German cities indicated; I was very close! At this point I decided to stop stressing and finally enjoy my birthday ride. I went to a little restaurant and had a meal. After that I decided to go to Mlada Boleslav; which would be another 116 km and total to 230 km.
Because of this I did not enter Germany; I went close along the border and then again south.
There was mist on this entire plateau
Rock formations
District of Decin. Also here there was lots of climbing to do.
I felt in the winter again; a good day in the winter
I took some time to study the map and made a video report.
The descent that followed was nice for many reasons. First of all the area was nice; second it was a cycling path; third it was so steep but the disc brakes made it possible; Great feeling!
From this place I checked the distance to home and the distance to Mlada Boleslav. Since it was only 10 km extra to cycle home, I decided not to bother with train and delays. One straight line to Cakovice
Then it went further downhill
Czech flag
Interesting concept for a bike...
Then there was the most powerful braking experience I ever had. A very narrow little road went down with 16-20%/ It was so intense! Disc brakes helped me control it all! I arrived at the Labe less than 200 meters height.
Then there was a series of roads identical to last year's Hrensko ride. That brought back some nice memories.
There were many very steep parts, also here. It was 15% and I was suffering maintaining it for such a long time.
When I came here last year; it was all covered in snow and I had to walk downhill.
The little path next to the creek; still remembered it
Second animal to enter my path today
In this area I climbed various times from 160m to 500 plus. These hills were incredibly steep and I was suffering.
See on the picture how steep it is? Even worse in real life
Descending on this bike is such a blessing and a delight
Typically Czech building
Climbing to the last 550 meters point of the day.
Being on top of this hill was like a victory. I already had 3000 meters of climbing and I still had 50 km to go.
The view was limited because of the fog
A descent over a very bumpy road led me to a place called Stary Tyn. It was old indeed!
There had better be no people living in here!
Czech hinterland surely has its charm
Old German style Fachwerkhauser
Around 200 km in the saddle; it was after 16h already
Mist got better as I lost height
One rare moment where the sun came out
Yellow fields; always eye-caressing
Especially when there are contrasts
Cute combination of plants, castle and hills
Then I somehow got into an area where there was a UCI cycling race going on.
This sign made me think back to the Wuling race in Taiwan, when I saw that 3 km sign I knew I made a top 5 ranking in the race.
It would take me to the city of Roudnice and Labem
Last km, people were looking at me. Right before the so called finish I had to take a right and leave the scene. This was a nice birthday surprise.
Finding my way home from here
I was sent back to the 608 but I did not want to do it again. Already did it in the morning. So I made a loop around Kralupy nad Vltavou; Maslovice and Klecany. The old roads where I used to travel a lot
This road to Sazava was in a very bad condition, full of potholes
Over the Vltava in Kralupy. One year ago I stood here; coming back from Belgium; full of pride.
Today I also celebrate riding one year of disc brakes
The loop over Maslovice meant that I had 250 km in the end; with 3500 meters of climbing; in 11 hours 15 minutes. I was very satisfied with this, considering the bad weather.
I came back right after eight and got ready because Narmin brought a nice surprise
30, this was it! My 30 year old ride. In ten years from now I will look back on this ride and be proud of it.
Back in Cakovice I made a movieclip looking back at the whole day. Pure madness; a ride to remember!
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