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).
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.
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.
Powered by Czech beer, we alternated between cycling and drinking throughout the day, stumbling into sleep early each evening.
When the weather was bad, we did our best to find somewhere covered to sleep at night. Bridges were always a favourable option.
On one occasion, we found 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.
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.
Evacuating the football pitch before anyone found us, we took 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.
We were never alone.
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.
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).
Despite this inconvenience, the storm was beautiful.
We spent the morning drying our belongings (and rope-swinging). I do regret not having a waterproof tent.
So for the next night, we found a lovely dry bus stop.
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.
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
Thanks. That may have been my favourite moment of the whole trip.
What a great adventure. Following you guys along, learning a lot, and enjoying it.
Following along. Love the pictures. The adventure. And you lovely crazy people. Good luck!
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 ?
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.
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!
If there wasn’t an element of danger, it’d be no fun right?!