Day 8 Olomouc 19th June

Day 8 to Olomouc June 19

Today's ride is a long one again 352 klm timing is to be 10 hours inc stops.

Leaving our hotel at 8.30 am after our briefing by Rozle we ride quite fast through these beautiful high mountains with just a touch of snow on the high peaks. The air is cool but not raring,The road has a beautiful surface and we wiz though the sweeping bends, Vic is in his element.We rode through some very poor villages which need some TLC.
We stopped to take photos of the spectacular Orava castle which was perched on a mountain top.
Rozle stopped a road side stall to buy some plaited sheep cheese for all of us to try.. Some just spat it out and some just could not get enough, it tasted quite salty and it was tough like beef jerky.
As it started to sprinkle we all put on our wet weather gear,
At lunch time Rozle ordered us a Slovacian meal, which was a potatoe pancake stuffed with meat, it was quite tasty .
After lunch we crossed the Czech border and had many turns and we had to corner mark. Due to the fast pace in the mountains Mary was left behind Vic and I waited and waited and waited at last she arrived and we all went along the highway.
A few klms we had another turn and Neil and Pauline were corner marking and Mary did not see them and she rode past.We waited for 20 minutes but she had not joined the group.
Rozle asked Vic to take the rest to the hotel as he had to find Mary .
Mary turned up after Rozle left .
Rozle returned in time to bring the group into this city,,
We arrive just as the police were closing the road, and we could not turn into the street where the hotel was. So Rozle with all his charm talked to a nice official and he let us all ride through the barriers.
Arriving at 5-30pm we all need a big beer. It was a long day
Dinner is in the old town . We walk for 15 minutes to find we have no access to the Restaurant as the town square is packed with people as they were running the annual half marathon.
Again with Rozles charm we were allowed to cross the track between the runners.
The meal was superb and the restaurants decor was very pretty.
We walked back in a little drizzle about 11pm

These emails are written from 5am as I am to tired after the ride in the evening

Todays ride is to Prague 277 klm 8 hours