Czech Republic on a Bike

After crossing Germany and it’s mountains, we entered the Czech Republic. While we knew that Czech Republic was mountainous, we were delighted at crossing our first big country (we’d only crossed Holland and part of the UK before).

1 welcome to the czech republic

We were so exhausted by the time that we arrived, that the first unfinished building we found looked like the perfect place to spend the night.

3 the unfinished building we slept in

And it was there that we spent out first night in the Czech Republic. We went quiet when people passed by outside, but we slept well in the shelter and woke early to make our breakfast.

2 breakfast in an abandoned building

4 eating breakfast in the unfinished building

Powered by Czech beer, we alternated between cycling and drinking throughout the day, stumbling into sleep early each evening.

5 a little sunset

When the weather was bad, we did our best to find somewhere covered to sleep at night. Bridges were always a favourable option.

6 breakfast under a bridge

7 relaxing under a bridge

On one occasion, we found an abandoned motel.

8 finding an abandoned motel

Despite the empty rooms, the place was too creepy, even for us. There was broken glass and destruction anywhere. All the motel was good for was practising Street Fighter power moves.

9 street fighter power

Unfortunately that very same night, a storm moved in rapidly and we found ourselves sleeping upon the benches of a small football stadium. We had the best view.

10 bed on a football bench

Evacuating the football pitch before anyone found us, we took breakfast at a lake.

11 breakfast at a lake

Then it got sunny and we started sweating once more as we climbed the many Czech hills. While the roads in Germany seem to weave or go around the hills, the roads in Czech tend to go straight up and down every single hill. It isn’t so friendly for cyclists.

12 hot and sweaty

We were never alone.

13 jesus christ

Then occurred one of the most glorious happenings of the journey. Maybe even my life.

We were trekking through a forest, searching for somewhere to sleep and maybe a lake to swim in, when we stumbled upon a man in a clearing. He directed us to a lake with one of the worlds greatest rope swings. It was huge and we swung the sunset away.

14 the amazing lake swing

15 point and jump

16 rope wire swing jump dont look down

17 ear breaker

18 drop

I am very grateful for this. I am less grateful for the thunderstorm that followed (this next photo was taken at the darkest hour of night, only the lightening was lighting up the lake).

19 storm at night

Despite this inconvenience, the storm was beautiful.

21 lightening night

We spent the morning drying our belongings (and rope-swinging). I do regret not having a waterproof tent.

20 trying to dry clothing

So for the next night, we found a lovely dry bus stop.

22 bus stop bed

Despite the many hills, the Czech Republic is a country that I am rather fond of. As we approached the end of it, we knew one glorious thing… only Austria and Slovakia to go, a distance of less than 100 km. My bum would be grateful for the break.

By | 2013-12-12T02:16:06+00:00 August 15th, 2013|UK to Slovakia on £30 Bikes|8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Samantha 20/08/2013 at 04:38 - Reply

    Beautiful pictures! I admire you guys, riding bikes into town is enough for me! haha. Love the pictures of the sunset and the swinging, Czech Republic looks gorgeous

    • Jamie 26/08/2013 at 18:15 - Reply

      Thanks. That may have been my favourite moment of the whole trip.

  2. Jose G 17/08/2013 at 15:47 - Reply

    What a great adventure. Following you guys along, learning a lot, and enjoying it.

  3. Mirha 16/08/2013 at 15:59 - Reply

    Following along. Love the pictures. The adventure. And you lovely crazy people. Good luck!

  4. tim 15/08/2013 at 15:18 - Reply

    what inspiring pictures and notes… how brave of you all,and I salute you and your cohorts. Live this life!

    pondering a Polska tour…I find all of the former countries living under the Soviet yoke a new horizon of adventure,full of new ideas,and people who want to be heard…the stories are many,and fascinating, like these stories are…when do you do the raft ?

    • Jamie 18/08/2013 at 14:04 - Reply

      Thanks Tim. As for Poland, go for it. It’s a wonderful country with incredibly friendly people and I loved it so much, that I thought about living there for a while. Then my itchy feet got hold of me! The raft is being built right now. We are taking a few days break before hitting the water, but we hope to launch it in about ten days. I can’t wait.

  5. Melanie Murrish 15/08/2013 at 12:52 - Reply

    Lush photos as always you lot! Just showing the kids your rope swing-we have one similar, unfortunately it is over concrete; I just look away as my eldest soars like a bird, a bird with a cast on her right arm!

    • Jamie 18/08/2013 at 14:01 - Reply

      If there wasn’t an element of danger, it’d be no fun right?!

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