Chris Solo Central Europe, Tue Jun 13, 2023

Přimda to Prague (day 2)

Ride log

Narative

Rode from Primda into Prague.

I like how they plant trees along the roads in Czechia farm land. They have some big old trees and it makes for some really beautiful rides through tunnels of vegetation.

There are a lot fewer solar panels in Czechia than in Germany and where you do see them, they are in fields, all well oriented instead of on rooftops.

The electrical distribution system is much more above ground here than it was in Germany where in many towns, all the wires are underground.

Stopped at Moto Mechanik map to have Martin put new tires on the Ducati.

Due to a misunderstanding, he was expecting me in July rather than June, but he took care of me anyway. Price xxx for Dunlop Roadsmart 3. Paid by Wise wire transfer.

Had a drink at Zebra Bar while waiting.

Light rain while tires changing, but basically cleared up to a tiny bit of drizzle for the (long, 90 min or so, 16 km) ride into Prague.

Then wander Prague for the afternoon/evening.

My hotel was Arkada Hotel Prague €65 breakfast included.

They had me park the bike inside the restaurant's water heater closet.

Prague is a really nice city to walk around in. Huge and beautiful. I'd like to spend a few days there to visit the museums.

Had dinner of pulled pork burger at xxx.

I was ready to go at about 7:30am, thought I'd get a quick cup of coffee and be on my way, but the hotel proprieter wasn't in and I needed to pay before checking out. So I waited outside and kept ringing the bell and knocking on the door. Finally at about 8:00, she walked up. She's been out shopping for breakfast fixings.

I made my cup of coffee and then she showed me a web page on her tablet about the Uhlik freedom tank exhibit on June 15 (just 2 days from no), ah, but last year 2022. I asked her how to say Chechia it's chess-ko. Not anything like I expected, but very nice to be able to say it correctly.

Talked to Kathi for about an hour while drinking coffee and eating a bit of bread and butter. Finally left at 9:30 but it was really nice to catch up with Kathi after her long flight home.

Trees planted beside farm fields.

Solar panel farms instead of rooftop solar.

Good roads.

Tire change, Martin confused the month June vs July, but took car of it anyway. Payment by Wise transfer.

Giraffe bar waitresses were not rude like Martin warned.

Light rain

Terrible traffic into Prague

Hotel Arkada, receptionist was nice, parked inside the restaraunt utility room, internet good

Walked all over Prague taking pictures and chatting with Kathi, bought glass hedgehog.




Story about The Freedom Tank in Czech. Apparently there was a festival about this event almost exactly one year earlier.

On June 15, 2022, an unusual meeting will take place at the House of Holýšovsko History. Mrs. Eva Heathman, née Uhlíková, will visit the house of history. Her father, Václav Uhlík from Líní, constructed a unique armored personnel carrier with which he crossed the state border from Czechoslovakia to Germany in the early hours of July 24, 1953 near Lísková, together with a crew of seven. In America, this transporter was named the Freedom Tank. Three-year-old Eva Uhlíková was one of the crew members. The story depicting the fates of all the crew members was recently described in a book called "Just Footprints in the Grass" published in Stod. On June 15, 2022, from 7:00 p.m., Eva Heathman will remember the fateful events of the crossing itself, and especially the other fates of the family already in America, in the house of Holýšovsko history. At the same time, the book "Just Footprints in the Grass" itself will be presented, and unique photographs obtained for the entire event will be shown. We cordially invite everyone to this exceptional meeting.

U Eremita Nature Preserve

Walking around Prague