Day 34 – Mitrovac to Lake Zlatar – 102km 2017m

Gearing up for the slopes

One of today’s highlight was the ski resort of Zlatibor. Positioned about half way through my ride, I had time to sit on a bench there and people watch as the good folk of the town enjoying their sunny Saturday.

There was a big central square, surrounded by food outlets. On the outskirts of town, there were roller skaters, wheel-skiers, and quad bikers.

I had popped into a cycle shop to get the drive train on my bike cleaned. Also, having come down numerous long and steep hills since I’d had my brake pads changed in Ljubljana I thought I’d get them checked too. Still got 80% life in them apparently.

The morning had been the regular series of climbs. I love the mornings, I’m the only one out. I was cycling through the Tara National Park, with views to rival anything Bosnian.

As the sun rose over the ridgeline, clouds gathered in the valleys like milk in a cereal bowl. A sight all to myself.

At 80km, and with another 40km to go but next to a main road which would provide a 20km short cut I asked myself “what would Steve do” (something Steve himself had been keen for me to ask!). Answer – get there on the shortest possible route. And here I am, right by a wonderful lake.