Met Algent at his barber shop and walked over to his favorite coffee place to have a cuppa before I said my goodbyes and went on my way. Today I plan to get to Leskovik or near there. I had no clue what to expect but I do know the weather is beautiful again and it would be great for cycling.
I am told that the first 15 KM is flat and the there will be some climbing. The first 15 was indeed flat but after that some is a gross understatement. A lot is more like it. ( SK, when I am back , we need to have a serious discussion.)
The most part of the day involves climbing and decending and climbing again. Many sections are 10% gradient. This is the first time on tour I am seeing switchback ala Alps style. And it goes on and on. While I curse and swear at every corner, only sometimes at SK, I also rejoiced with magnificent views of the Albanian wilderness and mountains. So if you are a passerby you would not be be able to tell if I am cursing or screaming in joy. Eventually it sounded to me quite alike.
Today I feasted on a full menu of Albanian landscape from flat farm lands, bald hills probably from over logging and forest full of pine trees with it is fresh pine smell rewarding you as you huff and puff up.
It was already almost 5 pm and I have just 1 hour 15 minutes before sunset so I starting scanning for places to stay. I had two option. Wild camping or get to Farma Sotira which had rooms and also paid camping with shower and toilet. I decided I will not Wild camp as I needed a shower. Yesterday at the el Chepo hotel at Korce there was no hot water so I did not get to shower.
I did not get to Farm in the end. I just stopped at the first campsite available and decided to pitch my tent there as it was getting dark and I had enough of cycling uphill.
So I quickly set up my tent and broke open my Macedonian wine and had a glass before hitting the shower. I will skip dinner as I am still full from the huge lunch I had midway at a village called Mollas.
Had an early night to recharge. I am expecting more climbs tomorrow.
Lions Project : RM 131.70
Reflective Saddle 