Southern Albania

The last 2 days we have biked southern Albania. The weather has continued to be great, but in the 90s so quite warm. The heat, not the climbing, was the challenge for me.

Our first challenge, soon after leaving Korce, was a section of road (which our guide had ridden 2 months before) where in the interim a bridge had been removed and a bypass was being built. As an aside, the roads are quite variable with some so rough and filled with potholes that packed gravel would be an improvement while others are freshly paved and much better than the chip-seal we are seeing more of in the Pacific NW.

Then in the distance we saw the mountains that marked our destination.

But first lunch - we got to pick our fish. You can't get trout much fresher than this. 

On the way we got to do what has to be the best 13 kilometer downhill I have ever ridden. Smooth asphalt (for a change) and wide open views. This section alone would make the trip worth it.

And finally the highlight of the day's ride.  A valley with mountains as impressive as the Rockies on the Jasper-Banff highway in British Columbia.

We ended the second day of this section of the trip at a warm natural spring enjoying a cold beer.

Tomorrow is to be a day of rest as we van shuttle to the capital of Tirana.

A google photos link to my pictures for this trip thus far.