The van transfer from Tirana went by quickly and we arrived at our hotel on lake Skadarsko about 2 PM. We checked in and then headed out on the water for a quick local tour and a swim.
.. and got to help a couple of locals whose ski-doo wasn't "doo-in"g so well.
It was nice to get into the hotel early and have a few extra hours to rest. One thing about this trip has been the fact that we always seem to be moving. I have a few minutes to look at email each morning, but not much more.
For orientation, here is a map of the area (and a link for those who want to zoom in for a bit more detail - https://goo.gl/maps/Czo5SiyrBbm) showing Lake Skadarsko, Tirana to the south (where we started the van transfer), and in blue the biking route for the next day. You can also see Dubrovnik to the north where we will end our trip in another 3 days.
Then it was time to begin the hardest cycling day of the trip. 5000+ vertical feet of climbing over 30 miles. Not excessively steep, just a persistent 5 to 6 % grade, and in the heat which made it even more challenging.
We stuck to the back roads instead of main highways, so only a few cars. But that meant some pretty uneven riding surfaces. OK for a hybrid/mountain bike, but it would have been a lot tougher on a road bike.
Our hotel for the night - a ski hotel. Not a big ski area as we are really in the middle of nowhere.
After a beer, shower, and short nap we vanned to the mausoleum you see in this picture to learn about one of the legends of Montenegran history. A true renaissance man - arch bishop, chosen ruler, poet, and philosopher - and a key figure in the consolidation of multiple small fiefs into what is today Montenegro.
This is the view from the mausoleum looking back towards the area of our hotel. Ski runs are just beyond the small green patches.
It was an impressive structure. Apparently the original was destroyed during the second world war (he died about 1850) and just rebuilt about 50 years ago.
Before heading back to the hotel for dinner, we took a short side trip to check out tomorrow's route. A 3000 foot descent to the town of Kotor on the Adriatic sea via a series of switchbacks called "the ladder". We had some wine in the van so toasted the sunset and then back to the hotel for dinner.
Beautiful country with an interesting history that I had very little knowledge of. The riding looks challenging on those roads, glad you are staying safe!
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