CYCLING CROATIA 2019 - Phil & Jill

Phil's big challenge on Korcula

19.09.2019

Everyone was in fine spirit this morning bedecked in team colours.

There was Team Lavendar girls - Barbara, Wendi and Karen - all from Colorado (they had brought their jerseys yesterday from a lady on the top of the hill on the optional extension. They also had matching hats. So cute and wonderful memento from Croatia.

Team Russia - Natasha (originally from Siberia and now living in Anchorage, Alaska) and Natalie - her friend still living in Siberia

and Team Cycling Croatia - David, Dalybor,Rob (a Brit living in Boulder, Colorado,
Our Croatian guide originally from Zagreb but now living in Hvar) and Rob from Colorado

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We all started the morning's ride together uphill with Dalybor taking us through the town and out on the main road.
There were two options Pero was leading a group along the coastal road to Račišće which was a Croatian flat ride of around 15kms or an optional ride of around 20 kms to Pupnat - all 'up' and a descent of 10-14% (which looks almost vertical and scary on a profile map).

Naturally I took the coastal route but Phil wanted to challenge himself with the 6 other strong riders in the group who did the hilly ride. He took his tablets, rubbed in the cream, wore extra support pants and put his courage on show. He wasn't in a race and took his time going up even stopping for photos. Dalybor was with him the whole time. Phil said he absolutely adored the fast, steep downhill, swinging around the curves using his knees and riding well. Mind you he paid for it the rest of the night, but you know it is sometimes hard to keep a good man down and for his own personal satisfaction it is a feeling of sheer joy he hasn't felt for some time.

Meanwhile I was happily cycling along the coast enjoying the spectacular views in the brillant sunshine. I seem to be saying the same thing all the time but coastal roads and spectacular views are synonimous in Croatia.

This was a more built up coast line with many holiday houses and villages. The water was an azure blue with turquouse coloured water on the edge. Every small piece of sand, every rocky outcrop and any concrete platform had a beach chair for laying out in the sun.

All too soon we came to Kneže with its expansive view and then to Račišće which was on a half circle bay.

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A lovely cold drink was enjoyed whilst we waited for the others on the hill ride to meet up with us

Tim came back first and assured me Phil was ok and riding strongly but it was really tough amd marred by gravel in parts. I have to say I was greatly relieved to see Phil's white and yellow jersey come around the bay.

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Dalybor congratulated Phil at the end, saying....He is THE MAN! I was thrilled and absolutely delighted for Phil as I knew how much it meant to him physically and physcologically.

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To give all the riders a chance to catch their breath Pero swept the village bocce rectangle and we all had a friendly competition. I say friendly but Dalybor hates to lose!! It was a lot of fun and banter.

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Time to go back and Phil and I had a gentle ride back to our lunch spot of the Fortuna cafe in Korcula. Lunch for me was a pizza and for Phil an octupus salad.

Back in our bikes for the steep pinch hill back to the Marko Polo hotel and a small rest before meeting Dalybor to ride to the beach about 7 kms away. This was a tricky ride on a busy road with lots of cars and motorbikes. This time we were wearing our bathers underneath. Although many of the others went for a real swim, I decided to go in just up to my knees as I didn't like the thought of riding back with wet bathers. The beach was crowded with locals and tourists alike. The water was warm and inviting. Much better temperature than Hvar. After my dip I joined Phil in the ubiqitious cafe for a coke. He took the opportunity for a cup of tea and a rest.

The day was not yet done. At 7.00pm we went in the van for about 15 minutes away from the town to a hillside restaurant where they cook lamb and vegetables in the coals under what they call a drum ( like a Moroccan tangine). Once again the alfresco setting was divine especially with what they called a harvest moon and the high hillside location. The evening comnenced with Dalybor and the host explaining the differences and medicinal qualities of 3 types of grappa. I can tell you just the smell of the pure alcohol was enough to knock me out I am afraid that I lifted the glass in the toast and then fed the olive trees nearby. The Russian girls lovedit!! We started with a salad entree, then generous portions of meat, carrots, potatoes. It was very tasty and delicious. Dessert was a sticky, chocolate cake that we had had before. This time I resisted as it had been too rich the last time. We sat in the company of Carol and David from Boulder. They were similar in age to us and although they didn't usually do bike trips they had done many of the major hikes in the world. After this trip they were extending their stay by hiking in Slovenia.

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