Podgorica to Koman

110km / 1020m

Shade hunting

Tarmac all day today. That has it’s advantages – it’s smooth and easy to ride. The disadvantage is that in this heat (as Andy said) it’s like having the barbecue and the grill on at the same time.

This afternoon, the temperature maxed out at 41 degrees. We were on a new road, super fresh black tarmac. To create the road, all verges had been razed. Absolutely no shade and no breeze. The climbs were brutal.

But before that, we left Podgorica in peleton formation through roads according a view of Lake Shkoder to our right and some mountains to our left.

At one point, Andy rode over an upturned screw on the road. It fixed itself into his tyre. We took shade under a convenient mulberry tree as well worked on a fix.

Mulberries as you wait

We lunched in Shkoder ok pasta and hit the road again in truly scorching heat.

All afternoon we worked our way up a gorge, dreamy downhills far too short to cool us off before more infernal climbs.

We limped into our accommodation, hiking water – and the odd isotonic lager – before another early bed. Party animals.

Comments

Thanks for leaving a public comment on this post! This is anonymous if you prefer, but please do use your name in the comment text so I can reply to you in person. If you want to get in touch with me privately, please use the “Contact Ben” link at the bottom left of the page