Day 157 - Zagreb

 17 May 2022

“Book a ticket, get a visa, pack a bag, and it just happens.” ― Alex Garland

Our apartment has no curtains. The sun rises at 6.30 am but it is light at 5.00 am. There is no air conditioning, we are in the loft. It is hot. I wake up at 5.00 am. I can’t get back to sleep.

I have an urgency to leave today. I am not sure why. It is raining outside. Rain is forecast for most of the day. Shell is in no rush. I push her along. We normally leave at 8.00 - 9.00 am. I have us on the bikes before 7.30 am.

Today’s ride is around 65 km. Mostly flat and almost entirely on back roads. We wind through farms and forests. It rains all morning. We stop after 15 km for a bad coffee. A few hours later we stop again for a not quite as bad coffee. We are over halfway to Zagreb. The distance melts on flat roads.

The rain stops and the clouds clear. We roll into Zagreb. The city has an excellent cycling network. From the outskirts all the way to the centre.

We are early, not surprising considering the time we left. We sit in a park and take in the city. It is beautiful. Classic architecture. Fountains and ancient trees in stunning parks. I like the city. It is busy, but not hectic.

We head to our apartment for the next few days. On the way, we stop at a nearby gym and grab a monthly pass. Time to start getting back in shape. It is great to be back in a gym. Even though I am not lifting today. I miss this place.

Our apartment is beautiful. It is in an old building but it has a great feel. Our place has huge windows that overlook the street. A kitchen and a living room. We can fit the bikes in the room. It is a great place.

We head out to grab some food for dinner. We lay about, read and chat.

Early night. Gym tomorrow.

“Sweet life continues in the breeze, in the golden fields.” ― Jack Kerouac

The end.

Today’s ride -