I’m back riding from Prague after a brief and flying visit to the UK. I’m armed with a new tent – a Dan Durston creation which I’ve been wanting to get hold of, new Shimano bike sandals, a new packing strategy (ok, I’m a nerd, but thanks to Tristan Ridley for some of his brilliant ideas), a new Irish passport and some new brackets and things that needed replacing after 17,500 kms – fair enough too. But most of all, it seems like summer has arrived, so, I simply can’t wait to start camping again and getting into that routine.
Having the passport is fantastic. Otherwise I’d be able to stay for only another month and not come back to the EU for another 3 months. That makes a huge difference on a trip like this. Almost as much as having a tent that’s waterproof.
Leaving Prague was quite slow. Big old cobblestones slow you down and bounce you around and tourists wandering aimlessly across streets keep you on your toes. I wasn’t in a hurry so it was all ok.
Nerd alert – I got a new pair of riding sandals that have SPD cleats. I decided to change the position of the cleat but after riding around Prague yesterday afternoon, I didn’t like it. I forgot to change them back yesterday, so as I clipped in today I remembered. I had to wait for second breakfast before taking to the sandals with an Allen key in the coffee shop – I got some strange looks until they realised what was happening.
Komoot sent me on some fairly quiet roads, then just as it looked to get busy, I diverted down to the river for a ferry ride across the Vltava river. The ferry was a quaint little thing and it left within 10 minutes of my arrival. The path followed the Vltava for a while before a gentle village filled climb.
I stopped to have some lunch by the river, set up my chair, took out the bread rolls, cheese and salami then glanced over my shoulder. Rain clouds were on their way but I couldn’t be bothered rushing lunch – the setting was too nice.
It did rain lightly for a while and the poncho got an airing, but it was pretty minor and for a change, it was warm. Rain is so much easier to cope with when you’re warm.
The rest of the day was spent on some fairly busy roads with a small shoulder but the drivers were well behaved and after reaching Terezin things became quiet.
Terezin is a nice place with some well preserved walls that reminded me a little of Lucca in Italy. It wasn’t far then to my destination of Litomerice and the campground by the river.
This was the first pitch of my new tent. I got the 2 person version because I thought I’d enjoy the space and wow, it’s great. The headroom is amazing. I love the design work that has gone into it and the fact that if you put on the wrong delivery address on the order, then email them with the correct details, it’s Dan who responds. I can see how it can be pitched in about 5 minutes. Of course that didn’t happen first time but everything is connected now, so next time will be better.
I cleaned up, finished my lunch and had a walk around Litomerice. It’s a lovely town with many old and significant buildings. Unfortunately, like much of this country, it’s very very quiet in the streets. Then it was back to the campsite for dinner and hopefully a good night’s sleep.
