A Grey Day in Czech Republic

Krakow to Budapest Stage 4 – Ostrava to Hranice 71 Km (Sat 22 Sep 2018)

Weather: 11⁰C min – 19⁰C max, overcast

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“The older you get the stronger the wind gets – and it’s always in your face” ~ Jack Nicklaus

By 8:30 am the heavy overnight rain had stopped, so I decided it was time to set off on my first full day of riding in Czech Republic. Because I didn’t fancy riding on muddy dirt tracks through the forest, I chose my Plan B route … less scenic but on sealed roads all the way. Photographic opportunities would be fewer, but at least my bike (particularly the rims and brake pads) would not need a clean.

And so it turned out, the quality of all the roads (including secondary and tertiary ones) was amazingly good and the quality of the scenery was very ordinary. Nearly all the houses in the little towns were dilapidated and drab, mostly rendered with grey cement. A coat of paint wouldn’t have hurt! What intrigued me was how the roads could be so perfect (as good as anywhere I have seen in the world) while the townships are so impoverished.

Jack Nicklaus was right about the wind being in your face! Not what you want when you have a 70 Km ride with total climbing of 750 m. Just as well the road surface was so smooth.

For those who may not be aware, on 1 January 1993, Czechoslovakia split into two countries – the Czech Republic and Slovakia (see Velvet Revolution). I am currently riding in Czech Republic and will then spend a few days in Slovakia before reaching Hungary. It will be interesting to see the differences in the two countries (apart from currency – Czech uses Koruna and Slovakia uses Euro).

In contrast to the other towns I passed through today, Hranice is absolutely stunning … modern, immaculately clean, brightly coloured buildings, interesting architecture, and cloistered arcades almost as good as in Bologna.

Now it is time to evaluate the Hotel Centrum Restaurant that has been recommended to me.