The fact is that this idea was not born in my head, but with my friends at the iconic bicycle shop Bicycle Garage in Košice.
Paťo and Maťo came up with the idea of a joint trip. And not just any kind! Let's do it on the MTB straight from Jasna to Košice. I say to myself, you guys either have very good vegetables for smoking, or you are very bored in this Košice...
Word gave word and ten people, yes, that's how many people were found, we really set out one frozen morning in May.
But before we set off, I must not forget the organization of the entire event. From our service car with a spare bike and one e-bike, train travel, to accommodation, track packages, or wellness. All this only enhanced this experience, when we didn't have to deal with anything, we could still drive relatively easily, and the car always served us as a mobile warehouse and service in one.
But what made it worse was definitely the weather, and unfortunately you can't influence that in any way. If you still believe the saying that the weather is only as good as your clothes, then don't believe it. If you sit for 8 hours and it's raining for 9 hours, it doesn't matter how well you're dressed...
The guys arrived for lunch on Wednesday by train, the fables in the service car. We had planned an easy drive to Liptov, ending with a climb to Jasná. Mali... It was pouring like a bottle, my mouth was steaming, after many, many coffees the decision was made to at least go to Jasná. I wonder when was the last time I stepped into Jasná with gusto in heavy rain and 5 degrees. We had no regrets and Hot Apple Jack fulfilled its role in the end. And a few more rounds of Venezuelan rum helped me forget about today and not think about the rainy tomorrow.
It was anyway.
We woke up to the kind of morning you don't want to have in Jasná, but it still wasn't that bad. We set off with vigor in the light rain in the direction of Iľanovo, Ploštín and Závažná Poruba in the direction of Kráľová Lehota. Anyone who knows this part knows that between Iľanov and Liptovský Ján there is a hill of old cross-country tracks where brown bears train in large numbers, but in short, in this weather and with kilometers ahead of us, we preferred to go straight ahead. We passed Liptovský Ján and next to the old lift we passed the medokyš with a swing bridge, where the first testicle arrived. Difficult and wet climb to the weighbridge heading to Liptovská Porúbka. But someone likes it when it's completely wet. Ľuba motivated the lens so much that it landed directly in the stream. Fortunately, this fall did not cause him any major damage, apart from completely soaking his clothes. Actually, we didn't particularly enjoy this day, and the rainy, sad Liptov cycle highway, bordering the Čierne Váh reservoir, which led us all the way to Liptovská Teplička, didn't add to that. Otherwise, in normal weather, a very nice valley for both ebayers and gravelists. In Teplička, our accompanying vehicle was waiting for us, which essentially saved our lives for some time. We ate, changed and set off for the next 40 km of rainy and freezing cycling. Again, we didn't think things through and headed straight for the Čingos to the Slovak Paradise via roads of the second or whatever class.
This day actually showed us only one thing. Cycling can hurt like this too. I thought the losses would be bigger after today, but we managed fine and watched the next day's weather over fried cheese and tomato sauce.
Friday
The day when we should start having fun again. We had about 100 km ahead of us, much more forest, at least we hoped, and about 2000 meters of altitude. So, overall, a nice portion for sore muscles. We thundered through Spišská Nova Vsa, where we quickly discovered that drivers have no mercy for cyclists. And I thought that in the East no one is in a hurry anymore, because it's done well. Well, we went to the Hnilace hills in the Slovak Ore Mountains. A very interesting corner of Slovakia, where I have never been in my life. Before you can make your way there, you have to conquer the village of Rudňany www.rudnany.sk . Its name already tells you that it is a village with a great mining tradition. As soon as you enter, you can see the silhouettes of old smelters among the lush vegetation. Something like when you go to Colors of Ostrava. Only with the difference that here it is a different colour. You suddenly feel that there is something in front of you and you don't know if you should be afraid, take out your phone and take a picture, or wave. We waited and waved and greeted each other and breathed harder. We were hit by the smell of just about everything decomposing that you can imagine. Actually, it's such a strange feeling, on the one hand you feel terrible contempt and on the other, terrible regret that even today there are parts of Slovakia that look like the fabulous favelas in Rio. This whole thing, with the dilapidated mining complex and the local beautiful forests, paints such an absurd picture as if there was going to be a loose sequel to I am Legend with Will Smith. In its own way, it is also an experience, and you will gradually discover, as you progress through this corner of Slovakia, that it is a common picture. Better somewhere, worse elsewhere.
But we gradually ascended to a small village called Poráč with the Poráčská valley of the same name. And suddenly you are in another world and you forget the experience of half an hour ago. Through the Galmus silence, also called Galmus, we wanted to make our way through the ridge to Krompách. This is such a corner of the world that once someone gets wet here, they will never get out of it. I have to admit that the hiking and cycling paths are fairly marked, but it's still nice to have a GPS device with you. And be careful, you are in the 5th level of nature protection, and that's a fact. There is nothing here except forests and meadows. Just pure unadulterated romanticism. I confess, for me the most beautiful part of our entire pilgrimage. Krompachy, Richňava, Kluknava, you don't linger, you just close your eyes and go. And you will arrive in Jakloviec. Surprisingly, there is a quite good Poacher's pub, where it is worth replenishing carbohydrates and all B vitamins. However, there is a catch. Climbing in the direction of Veľký Folkmár. If you eat a plate of paprika, cover it with a dumpling and drink it down with a beer, even Pogačar would gobble it up. But again, a very nice forest crossing with views of Ružín and Hornádske luky.
We arrive in Košická Bela, we all know, carbohydrates are decreasing, nervousness is increasing. We are waiting for the last height meters in the ascent to Nemcová Dolka. Those who went there know, and after 100 km everyone was looking for morale and an excuse why not today. Well, because the last 500m the GPS in the climb setting shows 14%, 18%, 21%, 14%, 16%, but we are all standing at the top. The grips are long forgotten, we have a great descent to the center of Košice, when we just absorb the other two days and look forward to a beer.
Summary
Komoot map
Day 1
Day 2
