(Lake Bystricka, Czech Republic to Frydek-Mistek)
View 2008-05-26 Lake Bystricka to Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic in a larger map
Highlights: leaving the mountains, finding the Vienna-Krakow Greenway, gentle rolling hills in the morning, slow going (hilly & hot) in the afternoon, four-star hotel
Pretty nice free camping spot (Lake Bystricka)
Small town ceremonial gathering place (Jarcova)
This can't be the bike trail, but it is (south of Policna)
Another town, another nice town square (Valasske Mezirici)
No town too small for great Czech bicycle information (Stary Jicin)
Journal: We finally left the big hills behind today after four grueling days of climbing up & over the White Carpathian Mountains. That was the good news; the bad news was the constant rolling terrain that took its toll by the end of the day. The morning riding was nice enough as we coasted from the lake (where we camped last night for free) to the river (which flowed downstream away from the mountains). When we reached the city of Valasske Mezirici we bought another map (that will get us into Poland) and replenished our food & water supply. From there, the rest of the day was spent mostly on small rolling hills (with 50 to 200 foot ups & downs). Since we were riding on flatter slopes & since we usually had a breeze to accompany us, we didn't fully factor in the cumulative effect of the smaller hills along with the warmer temperatures (mid 70's). By the end of the day, we were tired and had gained another half-mile of vertical elevation gain for the fourth time in five days. When we reached our intended campground on the outskirts of Frydek-Mistek, it was closed (like most campgrounds in the Czech Republic appear to be). Our choices were to camp there anyways with the gypsies (who appear to be living there) or head next door for the comforts of a four-star hotel (which is what we ended up doing).
Joe spotted the first sign for the "Vienna-Krakow Greenway" bike route today, meaning we are definitely heading in the right direction. The path takes quite a few twists & turns in some spots, and we got separated from the path on several occasions, but for the most part the signage is quite good and the roads are pleasant. Fortunately I have my GPS with me, so it is not hard to navigate along relatively quiet back roads when we do get lost. We are now less than 30 km from the Polish border (as the crow flies) and may cross the border as early as tomorrow depending on the route we take. From there it may only be another day or two to Krakow (the eastern-most part of this year's ride).
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