Escape to the Mountains

Day #63

Thursday, July 2nd.

From Podgorica to Kolašin

Country: Montenegro

It remains the same; I am eager to leave this city, and I am glad that after a while along a federal road, I will head into the mountains.

But first, I need to do the usual shopping.

I find the people to be very reserved and unfriendly.

I am a bit surprised that the Euro is the common currency here. I read during my preparations that it would be 'accepted as well'.

Further research shows that Montenegro has not had its own currency for over 100 years and has switched from the German Mark to the Euro.

Without being part of the Eurozone.

The behavior towards me as a cyclist continues to be unpleasant.

If they brake before overtaking, I can almost be sure that it is a foreign license plate.

For today, I have decided to cover the distance to Kolašin to stick to my planned schedule, as there are more stages to Tolmin than days I have left.

And since I'm riding the TransDinarica in the 'wrong' direction, long stages like today are challenging.

It is tempting that there is a railway line that also transports bicycles, but I stick to the plan; I'll manage it anyway.

So off to the heights.

And at the beginning of the day, it steadily climbs at 5% over a distance of 20 km.

I can save myself the conversion; it is just over 1000 meters of elevation gain, as my GPS indicates.

Just to juggle a few numbers.

And how to handle that is already known: Slow and Steady.

The view is magnificent, and it is a highlight to see the highest railway bridge in Europe.

It is only understandable that people lean out of the train to admire the scenery.

The temperatures are more or less pleasant. The wind cools me down while the gummy bears melt.

At almost the highest point, I meet a bikepacker from Georgia, heading towards Georgia.

We chat briefly, and he warns me emphatically about the upcoming stage towards Mostar.

It gets steep as I ascend over gravel 'as big as golf balls, and the quads struggle to gain traction.'

Until then, I still have some time to think about how I want to handle this information.

The lunch break is short, and I feel urged to continue as it starts to rain.

But I am lucky because the clouds mainly gather on the other side of the mountain range I just crossed, and I quickly ride back over dry roads thanks to a small descent.

Then, of course, there is one last proper climb before I treat myself to a real break by the river, following its course downwards.

In Kolašin, I take the opportunity to go shopping, as supermarkets, or even mini-markets, are scarce here.

The plan is to head towards a campsite on the further route.

Instead, there are rain veils hiding the mountains.

But I am lucky once again, and behind the ski resort, I see a path into the bushes at a church, which I take, landing on a meadow.

Initially, I set up a shelter using my tarp for protection against the rain so I can sit dry.

And instead of awkwardly setting up the tent underneath the trees, there is a pause in the rain, and I move to the meadow.

It stays dry long enough to set up the tent and cook a quick dinner while observing the numerous fireflies.

I then have to eat in the tent’s apse as it starts to rain again.

Everything is done by the time the rain starts heavily again, and comfortably wrapped up, I soon fall asleep.

Song of the Day:

Bonaparte - Too Much