Into Macedonia - Lake Ohrid 94 kms !

The story so far - 

Having bused north to lake Komani and ferried to the other side we have since cycled some 200 kms to and around the northern part of Albania through Dardhe, Kukesi and on to Peshkopi. Along the way we have endured some oppressive heat combined with some gut busting climbs many in the 10+% region to bring us close to the Macedonian border and badly in need of psychiatric care !  The journey continues -

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If there was any doubt about whether we were still suffering from yesterdays huge day then the collective groans and stereophonic coughing (Henley & Linda) soon put that to rest as we cycled steeply uphill out of Peshkopi in the midst of busy local Albanian traffic.

A few undulations later and we were finally presented with a classic downhill to a regrouping point at a cafe just shy of the border. Here Henley and I decided to award an honourary "Bruce" (Australia's "kind of" equivalent to a knighthood) to Robbo our affiable friend from Sheffield UK. Not only had he powered past most of the group on this section but he had the wit of mind in doing so to slag off one of his fellow countrymen. Powering past Pommie Kev Robbo shouted out " riding a bit slow today Kev"! Pommie Kev cried foul at our rest stop saying it was bad enough to have the Antipodeans have a crack at him without his own doing similar. The fact that Robbo has also had a go at us (along with Dilksy) about cricket and soccer just shows what a well rounded gentleman he really is ! 

Karine & George !

 After a small break during which Henley finally got Pommie Kev to dink him (it still looked suspiciously like dogging !), we crossed the border as a group and emerged into a significantly altered landscape.

L-R Pete, Julia, Linda, Kev and Aussie Kev !

The two Kevs "Dinking" !

From clean Albania (arguably because up until recently they've had few consumables to throw away) we entered a Macedonian landscape that resembled a 3rd world garbage dump with piles of roadside rubbish simply rotting away. The traffic profile had also changed with Macedonian drivers more aggressive than their Albanian counterparts. One car filled with youths actually targeted Kirk (one of our UK riders) trying to run him off the road !

The rubbish mounts as we enter Macedonia ! 

  After passing through a dust filled town we again climbed alongside lake Debar before descending and taking a partly scenic ( i say partly as the verges were overgrown restricting views) 30km lake ride to lunch and some freshly cooked trout.

Pete & Kev

Time to cool down !

Lunch time !

With a nice lunch consumed, 4 of our group wisely decided to board (..in Henley's case be carried) the team bus for the horrendous traffic filled section to Strugar . The initial section may have only been about 10 kms  but with narrow roads and fast peak hour like traffic even the most experienced of us began to feel a little nervy.

Finally we emmerged to beautiful lake Ohrid an amazing 2, 600 sq km UNESCO listed lake that borders Macedonia and Albania . Here we cycled around its perimeter on a mixture of paths one of which claimed the tiring Robbo when he lost traction on a soft surface falling. His lightning dismount technique (no doubt at the thought of being run over by yours truly closely following) though minimised both damage to self and pride.

Our final 10kms was a TDF sprint as we powered our way to the finish. Pommie Kev having previously complained about his bike (some minor issue like seized pedals/ bearings etc) powered along just behind our group leader (Arjan) with a cheshire cat like grin until Arjan told that he hadn't yet got out of the middle ring !

Arriving at beautiful Ohrid pretty much shattered we took in the obligatory alcohol fix as well as the obligatory photo of one Kevin (I never sleep during the day ) T Henley !

Kevin "I never sleep during the day " Henley !

A well earned beer !

With a much needed rest day beckoning we have time now to take in the beautiful surrounds of Lake Ohrid while waiting for the WADA test report on a likely drug fuelled Robbo and to welcome the latest addition to our tour Karine's boyfriend Mike from the UK  ! 

Ohrid by night !

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