Saddle Up

An interesting formation in the park below the Star House.

The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.

In other words, I'm riding again.

Back in September, I posted what I assumed would be my last blog post for quite some time. My heart just wasn't in it anymore. I needed to lose weight, I was out of shape, my asthma was acting up, and my usual cycling/drinking buddies couldn't seem to match their schedules to mine (no one's fault). I just wasn't having any fun out on the trails.

Well, I'm losing weight, my asthma's in check, and I realize that I've got to ride, I've got to exercise, I've got to get back out there, the gray and the cold and the rain and the snow be damned.


So I went out a week or so ago. It wasn't a long ride, and it was raw and overcast and spitting rain, but I did it, and I survived.

It was a solo urban ride. I cycled from my flat in the Vokovice neighborhood of Prague on a trail beside busy Evropska, crossed under the highway, and headed through parts unknown in the general direction of the so-called Star House, aka the Hvezda Summer Palace, in a park near the site of the Battle of White Mountain in 1620.

I cycled through the lovely park around the Star House, then back into the Stresovice neighborhood and back home. You can follow my route on the Garmin map above.

I was tired and cold and wet by the end, even though I'd only done 15 kilometers. But I had done it. I'm back.

Stay tuned. Another ride may just be around the corner.

RIDE STATS
Length of ride: 15 kilometers
Average speed: 12.3 kph
Maximum speed: 28.9 kph
Time on the bike: 1.12.32
Pivo Index: 0
Distance ridden so far in 2012: 240 km

The Hvezda Summer Residence. We just call it the Star House. It's surrounded by a wonderful park with many kilometers of walking and cycling trails.

Heading up through the forest toward the Star House, looking back down to a small lake.

While trying to reach the Star House, I had to walk my bike across some active railroad tracks.

A rather ominous-looking fence and railroad track into some sort of old industrial area. I couldn't help but think of Auschwitz. The weather didn't help my frame of mind.

Near the Evropska interchange, I came across two girls on horseback. I'm still amazed at what I come across on even the most routine of rides.

So lame. I'd only made it to the top of Evropska and already I was hurting and questioning why I'd come out at all.

I decided not to carry my bike down.

Heading back home, I got a great view of the construction on the new subway tunnels heading out from Dejvicka. This is what will become the new stop at Nadrazi Velaslavin. The picture doesn't do it justice. This is a very large hole in the Earth. Otherworldly, really.