Day 4. Trans Dinarica. Rožaje, Montenegro to Novi Pazar. Undulating hills from beginning to end, reaching 1,240 meters, crossing the border into Serbia. Then riding along a quiet, rolling state road and continuing north for approximately 30 kilometers of easy-going cycling to Novi Pazar, which was officially founded in the 15th, but sits within an area that was once the original capital (Ras and Stari Ras) of Serbia through the heart of the Middle Ages. ch in Serbia. The Church of Saint Peter is part of the larger Stari Ras Complex of historical sites.
Day 3. Trans Dinarica. Stunning weather all day. Started in Peja and headed into the Dinaric Alps for a big old climb, leaving Kosovo near the top and entering Montenegro. A rustic lunch at the top and then a rapid descent into the mountain town of Rožaje.
Long climb up over the Cakor Pass and dropped down the other side into Kosovo. Met by border control, fortunately all our papers were in order. Then an amazing decent down the Rugova Canyon into Peja.
Day 1. Trans Dinarica (partial loop). Wet start and a long steady climb up to lunch in a great little bar with a big stove where we could get warm and dry. Fantastic decent to the hotel. Short day, but good prep for a longer stage tomorrow.
Day 0. Trans Dinarica (partial route). Getting ready in Podgorica, test ride and travelling up to Kolasin by train in preparation for day 1. Can’t wait to hit the road properly. Riding with @malachy_mcallister and Denzil Jenkins.
Day 9 Rome to Cannes. Alassio to Cannes. And so the party is over on this last day along the coast, passing from Italy into France. We met with an old friend along the way, the orange rocket that is @christianceriana . 1140 km covered, 17190m climbing in 48.75hrs of ride time. So long and safe travels to my fellow riders. Here’s looking forward to next year! Big shout out to @andymatthews for some of the photography used over the last 9 posts.
Day 8 Rome to Cannes. Arenzano to Alassio. Easy riding down the Ligurian coast, coffee in the harbour at Savona, lunch in Finale Ligure and dinner in Alassio. Last day of the journey tomorrow.
Day 7 Rome to Cannes. Gavi to Arenzano. 2400m of climbing in 110km. Ouch. Started cold and got colder and then as we made to final 30km decent into Arenzano the sun broke through and we ended up on the beach. Some of my fellow travellers took a shorter route and kindly donated images to this post as I was too cold or busy climbing to stop and take photos!
Day 6 Rome to Cannes. La Spezia to Gavi. Spectacular ride along the Ligurian coast before turning inland to avoid Genova and climbing up to Gavi. It got very cold!
Orvieto to Arezzo. Day 2 Rome to Cannes. Some off road madness to really get us in the mood and then a climb to Cortano for a hot chocolate and a fast ride to the hotel. Epic stuff.
