Wobbling Winos: Day 4. Cycling from Prague to Roudnice on the Eurovelo 7 (Vltava and Elbe Rivers)

Day 4 Prague to Roudnice 98km 6:15.

We set off in rather gloomy weather, it was drizzling and once again the GPS did not perform. Fortunately a guy on a mountain bike came cycling up the hill. I stopped and asked him to give us directions to the city centre, and he said we should follow him as he was going into Prague. He took us through the Petrin Gardens which was a short cut and traffic free. What a relief to miss rush hour traffic.He was so helpful, an angel on a mountain bike!

We managed to find our way out of Prague from the Charles Bridge quite easily as we joined the A2 Cycle Path that took us along the Vltava River; what a relief the GPS started working again. How lost one is without technology! After about 20 km we left the river and climbed quite steeply away from it. We made our way through villages and forests smelling the beautiful scent of summer and birds chirping happily as they went about their daily business. After another 20 km we descended back down to the river along a small muddy path through the forest to join a muddy path along the river.

With about 20 km to go to Melnik we had to make the decision to cross the river by ferry or cycle 5 km further and cross a bridge using stairs. We chose to cross the bridge - not a good decision. The stairs were so steep and there were three sections, this meant we had to take our panniers off and carry the bikes up the stairs - very taxing. Thank heavens I had my knight in shining armor with me who saved the day,

We stopped to have our lunch in Vrbno - impossible to pronounce. Les Miserables was filmed here for the 1998 movie. Our next stop was Melnik where we quenched our thirst with a cold Pilsner. The Elbe River joins the Vlatava River here. We had initially thought we would stay in Melnik, which is a beautiful town set on a hill, but that would have made our cycling day a bit short. We decided to push on to Roudnice for a further 28 km which took us on a lovely cycle path along the river. A rather long day today, but absolutely beautiful.

A German Cyclist we met along the way, said that he just loves cycling along the Elbe as it is quiet, there are not too many people and it varied with hill, flat sections along the river and through forests. We totally agree.

We stayed in the Hotel Vavinec on the main square, a real gem. We had a fine supper opposite the Roudnice Castle - asparagus are in season so feature on the menus.