{"id":2941,"date":"2026-08-14T17:00:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T15:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/terran.ch\/?p=2941"},"modified":"2026-08-25T16:05:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T14:05:49","slug":"cycling-through-the-czech-republic-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/terran.ch\/staging\/en\/cycling-through-the-czech-republic-part-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Cycling Through the Czech Republic \u2013 Part 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/h4>\n

Day<\/span> 4<\/span>: The<\/span> football<\/span> season<\/span> kicks<\/span> off<\/span> in<\/span> Plze\u0148<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

Last<\/span> night<\/span>, before<\/span> I<\/span> went<\/span> to<\/span> bed<\/span>, I<\/span> had<\/span> a<\/span> quick<\/span> look<\/span> at<\/span> today\u2019s<\/span> stage<\/span>. I<\/span> realised<\/span> that<\/span> I\u2019d<\/span> be<\/span> starting<\/span> the<\/span> day<\/span> with<\/span> a<\/span> fairly<\/span> long<\/span> climb<\/span><\/strong><\/span>, which<\/span> I\u2019d<\/span> like<\/span> to<\/span> shorten<\/span> a<\/span> bit<\/span>. So<\/span> I\u2019ve<\/span> decided<\/span> to<\/span> take<\/span> a<\/span> bus<\/span> from<\/span> the<\/span> city<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> next<\/span> town<\/span> to<\/span> save<\/span> some<\/span> precious<\/span> energy<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> The day before yesterday, on a whim, I bought tickets for a football match in Pilsen<\/strong>, which means I have to leave the hotel and head for the stadium by 3.30 pm at the latest. That gave me enough excuses to allow myself this shortcut, and even so, there were still 90 km left to cycle \u2013 more than enough for Day 4, as my sit bones would agree.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Karte<\/a><\/p>\n

So<\/span> I<\/span> leave<\/span> the<\/span> hotel<\/span> at<\/span> 7.15<\/span> and<\/span> head<\/span> into<\/span> the<\/span> city<\/span> centre<\/span>, where<\/span> I<\/span> hope<\/span> to<\/span> find<\/span> a<\/span> ticket<\/span> office<\/span>. I\u2019m<\/span> not<\/span> yet<\/span> entirely<\/span> sure<\/span> whether<\/span> it\u2019s<\/span> even<\/span> possible<\/span> to<\/span> take<\/span> my<\/span> bike<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> bus<\/span>, or<\/span> exactly<\/span> where<\/span> the<\/span> bus<\/span> departs<\/span> from<\/span>. According<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> online<\/span> timetable<\/span>,\u00a0there<\/span> should<\/span> at<\/span> least<\/span> be<\/span> a <\/span>bus available<\/span>.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> When I arrive at the station, I initially see few clues as to where the bus departs from, and no ticket office either. The only person I come across is a security officer, whom I immediately try to ask for information. Unfortunately, communication is quite difficult due to the language barrier.<\/span><\/strong> The man doesn\u2019t speak any English, and \u2013 admittedly understandably \u2013 he finds it hard to follow my explanations, which involve a lot of hand gestures and body language.<\/span> So I pull out my mobile to open a translation app. As I take it out, I notice a poster on the wall behind us advertising the bus company I\u2019d like to use. So instead, I point at the poster and shrug my shoulders with as questioning a look as possible to illustrate my problem.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> The trick works, and I\u2019m shown a flight of stairs that I\u2019m supposed to go down. I thank him in broken Czech and stride down the stairs with my bike on my shoulder. There<\/span>, a<\/span> lady<\/span> is<\/span> waiting<\/span> at<\/span> a<\/span> ticket<\/span> counter<\/span>, and<\/span> apart<\/span> from<\/span> me<\/span>, the<\/span> station<\/span> concourse<\/span> is<\/span> empty<\/span>. Here<\/span>, too<\/span>, communication<\/span> is<\/span> very<\/span> limited<\/span>, but<\/span> she<\/span> makes<\/span> it<\/span> clear<\/span> to<\/span> me<\/span> that<\/span>, naturally<\/span>, bus<\/span> tickets<\/span> aren\u2019t<\/span> sold<\/span> at<\/span> a<\/span> railway<\/span> ticket<\/span> counter<\/span>. At<\/span> least<\/span>, however<\/span>, she<\/span> can<\/span> show<\/span> me<\/span> the<\/span> way<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> bus<\/span> stops<\/span>. The<\/span> bus<\/span> driver<\/span> confirms<\/span> that<\/span> I<\/span> can<\/span> take<\/span> my<\/span> bike<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> bus<\/span>,<\/span><\/strong> once<\/span> again<\/span> communicating<\/span> more<\/span> with<\/span> glances<\/span> than<\/span> with<\/span> words<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A<\/span> quarter<\/span> of<\/span> an<\/span> hour<\/span> later<\/span>, I<\/span> get<\/span> off<\/span> the<\/span> bus<\/span> and<\/span> set<\/span> off<\/span> on<\/span> today\u2019s<\/span> stage<\/span>. I<\/span> feel<\/span> more<\/span> refreshed<\/span> than<\/span> I<\/span> have<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> past<\/span> few<\/span> days<\/span><\/span><\/strong> and<\/span>, having<\/span> taken<\/span> a<\/span> slightly<\/span> shorter<\/span> route<\/span> up<\/span> the<\/span> first<\/span> climb<\/span>, I<\/span> now<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> cycle<\/span> all<\/span> the<\/span> way<\/span> to<\/span> Pilsen<\/span> without<\/span> taking<\/span> any<\/span> long<\/span> breaks<\/span>.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> I\u2019m still captivated by the landscape here at the edge of the Ore Mountains. The elevation gain is taking its toll on my legs, but the views to the left and right make it all worthwhile. The countryside is covered in forests, which cool the air and enhance the peaceful atmosphere.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> It\u2019s Saturday today, and there seem to be even fewer people out and about. Instead, I now come across other cyclists from time to time, and on the flat terrain I also see people on inline skates or out for a walk. The cycle paths here are even better than on the rest of the tour, probably because this area is more touristy.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a few kilometres through woods and hills, I reach a more densely populated region around Pilsen once again. I complete one last long descent and have finally returned to the flatlands.<\/span><\/strong> The kilometres are coming off my legs very easily today, and I arrive in Pilsen as early as 1.00 pm, which, despite a stage that\u2019s 15 km shorter, is still earlier than expected.<\/span> As I can\u2019t check into the hotel until 2.00 pm, I head to a shopping centre to grab some lunch. After checking in at the hotel and having a quick shower, I head into the city centre.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Pilsen<\/span> is<\/span> also<\/span> a<\/span> city<\/span> well<\/span> worth<\/span> visiting<\/span>,<\/span><\/strong> but<\/span> that<\/span> was<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> expected<\/span>. I\u2019m<\/span> now<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> follow<\/span> the<\/span> sea<\/span> of<\/span> red<\/span>; that<\/span> way<\/span> I<\/span> won\u2019t<\/span> have<\/span> to<\/span> look<\/span> up<\/span> the<\/span> route<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> stadium<\/span>.<\/span> I\u2019m glad that football is finally kicking off again, because there\u2019s something very special about the atmosphere in the stadium.<\/span><\/strong> This is where the region comes together to rally behind its club, drawing hope and joy from the start of a new season and cheering on every move. Unfortunately, the match ends in defeat \u2013 I feel sorry for the fans \u2013 but it was lovely to be there and share the experience with them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Afterwards, I have a few hours left to explore the city further. As I stroll through the streets, I reflect on the last few days and feel happy that I chose this tour, and proud of what I\u2019ve achieved so far.<\/span><\/strong> Tomorrow is already the final stage, and then I can relax for a few days. One last push lies ahead, which I\u2019d like to tackle and enjoy at the same time.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Day<\/span> 5<\/span>: The<\/span> final<\/span> push<\/span> back<\/span> to<\/span> Germany<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

I<\/span> had<\/span> to<\/span> prepare<\/span> for<\/span> the<\/span> last<\/span> day<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> stage<\/span> because<\/span> it\u2019s<\/span> Sunday<\/span> and<\/span> I<\/span> won\u2019t<\/span> be<\/span> able<\/span> to<\/span> buy<\/span> anything<\/span> along<\/span> the<\/span> way<\/span>.<\/span><\/strong> The<\/span> night<\/span> before<\/span>, I<\/span> popped<\/span> into<\/span> a<\/span> Lidl<\/span> and<\/span> bought<\/span> as<\/span> many<\/span> snacks<\/span> as<\/span> would<\/span> fit<\/span> in<\/span> my<\/span> rucksack<\/span>.<\/span> As well as the usual sweets and isotonic drinks, I picked up some nuts and a smoothie, which I\u2019ll drink for breakfast. Breakfast was even included at the last hotel, so I wanted to pop over to the buffet for a quick look. As a vegan, however, I only found a few gherkins, tomatoes, toast and jam.<\/span><\/strong> I took a little of everything and sat down at a table.<\/span> I don\u2019t want to set off too late, though, as it was already getting quite hot by midday yesterday and I\u2019ll be cycling about 20 km further today than originally planned.<\/span><\/strong> Because I\u2019m feeling good and would like to spend a bit longer on the German cycle paths, I\u2019ve spontaneously decided to cycle on to Cham<\/strong>, rather than just as far as Furth im Wald<\/strong>.<\/span> So, just after 7.00 am, I hop on my bike for one last time \u2013 although it\u2019s probably made of carbon \u2013 and set off for Germany.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At<\/span> first<\/span>, I\u2019m<\/span> winding<\/span> my<\/span> way<\/span> through<\/span> the<\/span> Pilsen<\/span> conurbation<\/span> again<\/span>, repeatedly<\/span> crossing<\/span> main<\/span> roads<\/span> and<\/span> cycling<\/span> through<\/span> neighbourhoods<\/span>, but<\/span> before<\/span> long<\/span> I<\/span> find<\/span> myself<\/span> back<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> countryside<\/span>, where<\/span> I<\/span> much<\/span> prefer<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span>.<\/span> As expected, the weather is sunny today, and the wind has turned against me.<\/span><\/strong> My legs are telling me I should slow down a bit today; my back is complaining that it\u2019s had to carry all my luggage for over four days; and my sit bones have had enough anyway,<\/span><\/strong> but today I\u2019m driven by the motivation to ride at a brisk pace once more.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

In<\/span> the<\/span> woods<\/span> near<\/span> the<\/span> border<\/span>, the<\/span> cycle<\/span> paths<\/span> are<\/span> in<\/span> perfect<\/span> condition<\/span>, and<\/span> there<\/span> are<\/span> plenty<\/span> of<\/span> cyclists<\/span> out<\/span> and<\/span> about<\/span> today<\/span>. That<\/span> prompts<\/span> me<\/span> to<\/span> set<\/span> myself<\/span> a<\/span> goal<\/span> for<\/span> the<\/span> day<\/span>: so<\/span> far<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> whole<\/span> trip<\/span>, I<\/span> haven\u2019t<\/span> been<\/span> overtaken<\/span> by<\/span> a<\/span> single<\/span> cyclist<\/span>, and<\/span> I<\/span> don\u2019t<\/span> want<\/span> that<\/span> to<\/span> happen<\/span> today<\/span> either<\/span>.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> When I spot two e-bike riders behind me in the woods near Babylon<\/strong> (that\u2019s actually the name of the place), this goal comes under threat for the first time. I\u2019d actually have liked to cycle a few more kilometres at a leisurely pace before taking my final break of the day 25 km before Cham, but that\u2019s not going to happen now because of the determination that\u2019s taken hold of me.<\/span> So I start pedalling hard to build up a lead.<\/span><\/strong> Time and again, the road climbs a little, with the two of them practically breathing down my neck, and then it dips a little, giving me a chance to catch my breath. I don\u2019t want to look back too often, either, so as not to look like a madman who feels he\u2019s being followed. I don\u2019t think I\u2019m managing to do that.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Well, be that as it may, after about 15 minutes I can no longer spot the two of them behind me. Perhaps they felt they were being watched and chose an alternative route, but I\u2019d rather believe that I\u2019ve shaken them off.<\/span><\/strong> Now I can relax and find a little bench from which to let my gaze wander over the woods around Babylon.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The<\/span> last<\/span> few<\/span> kilometres<\/span> of<\/span> my<\/span> 5<\/span>–day<\/span> tour<\/span> are<\/span> pretty<\/span> much<\/span> the<\/span> easiest<\/span>.<\/span> <\/strong>There\u2019s<\/span> a<\/span> steady<\/span> headwind<\/span>, but<\/span> that<\/span> just<\/span> makes<\/span> me<\/span> all<\/span> the<\/span> more<\/span> determined<\/span> to<\/span> reach<\/span> Cham<\/span> station<\/span> as<\/span> soon<\/span> as<\/span> possible<\/span>. I<\/span> know<\/span> there\u2019s<\/span> a<\/span> train<\/span> to<\/span> Munich<\/span> every<\/span> two<\/span> hours<\/span>, and<\/span> I\u2019d<\/span> like<\/span> to<\/span> pop<\/span> into<\/span> a<\/span> restaurant<\/span> for<\/span> something<\/span> to<\/span> eat<\/span> and<\/span> drink<\/span> before<\/span> it<\/span> leaves<\/span>.<\/span> In the end, I go for a falafel d\u00fcr\u00fcm, which seems a very fitting reward for the past few days, as falafel d\u00fcr\u00fcm \u2013 or rather, falafel rolls \u2013 were pretty much my staple food during my exchange semester in Sweden and so hold a special nostalgic appeal for me. I\u2019m happy and content.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/h4>\n

Conclusion<\/span>: I\u2019d<\/span> love<\/span> to<\/span> do<\/span> it<\/span> again<\/span>!<\/span><\/h4>\n

To<\/span> sum<\/span> up<\/span>, I<\/span> can<\/span> only<\/span> say<\/span> that<\/span> I<\/span> really<\/span> enjoyed<\/span> the<\/span> trip<\/span> and<\/span> would<\/span> love<\/span> to<\/span> do<\/span> it<\/span> again<\/span>.<\/span><\/strong> Sure<\/span>, it<\/span> was<\/span> a<\/span> bit<\/span> tiring<\/span> at<\/span> times<\/span>, and<\/span> of<\/span> course<\/span> my<\/span> motivation<\/span> wasn\u2019t<\/span> always<\/span> at<\/span> its<\/span> highest<\/span> \u2013 especially<\/span> when<\/span>, what<\/span> felt<\/span> like<\/span> twenty<\/span> minutes<\/span> after<\/span> my<\/span> mobile<\/span> told<\/span> me<\/span> I<\/span> still<\/span> had<\/span> 73<\/span> km<\/span> to<\/span> go<\/span>, it<\/span> said<\/span> there<\/span> were<\/span> only<\/span> 72<\/span> km<\/span> left<\/span> to<\/span> cover<\/span>.<\/span> But that\u2019s quickly forgotten once you arrive at your destination. The positive feelings<\/span><\/strong> this experience evokes are far greater.<\/span><\/strong> A week in a foreign country with a foreign language, with nothing more to you than what fits into a rucksack. A week of slowing down, even though you\u2019re constantly on the move. A week spent simply enjoying the surroundings you\u2019re constantly passing through.<\/span> And financially, too, the trip was satisfactory. Overall, I managed to keep the trip fairly cheap. The hotels all cost between CHF 30 and CHF 45, the trains (Zurich\u2013Dresden & Munich\u2013Zurich) CHF 58 and CHF 39, and the cost of food in the Czech Republic is also very affordable.<\/span> Only the train from Cham to Munich was more expensive than expected \u2013 and more expensive than the one from Munich to Zurich \u2013 because I only booked it at the station. One could plan a bit more in advance here, although that\u2019s probably only relevant to other students among the readers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
For<\/span> more<\/span> travel<\/span> stories<\/span> and<\/span> other<\/span> interesting<\/span> information<\/span> and<\/span> news<\/span>, why<\/span> not<\/span> subscribe<\/span> to<\/span> our<\/span> monthly <\/span><\/span>newsletter<\/a>!<\/em><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 4: The football season kicks off in Plze\u0148 Last night, before I went to bed, I had a quick look at today\u2019s stage. I realised that I\u2019d…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":2885,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[115],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-terran-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/terran.ch\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/terran.ch\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/terran.ch\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/terran.ch\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/terran.ch\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2941"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/terran.ch\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2942,"href":"https:\/\/terran.ch\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2941\/revisions\/2942"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/terran.ch\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2885"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/terran.ch\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/terran.ch\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/terran.ch\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}