In order to travel into Serbia from Kosovo it was necessary to pass through Montenegro for one night as Serbia does not recognise Kosovo as a nation. This means the border between Kosovo and Serbia is still disputed and you need to travel from Kosovo to Serbia via another country.
I spent six weeks from the end of August to early October following the Trans Dinarica bike packing route through the eight Balkan countries.
I started by flying into Ljubljana, Slovenia and generally following the whole route and finished by doing a little bit extra in order to finish at the coast at Split, Croatia.
I need to say that I did deviate from the main route a few times during the ride but I estimate that I followed it about 80% of the time.
Excellent route and experience….very hilly as expected.
So, just crossed into Kosovo and there was just a one border control actually on the Kosovo side. So, uh that’s all done and sorted. Just stopped for a coffee. So, uh yeah, just going to carry on. So, back in the mountains in Kosovo and nearing the top of the climb now. I was starting to see some uh leftovers from the the war here. There’s obviously a monument there to some of the soldiers. A couple of buildings here which are still destroyed. Also uh entering the Sherry National Park. Of [Music] course, turning out to be a very hot afternoon here. Uh, not complaining cuz it’s cold and wet at home. So, uh, just stopped for a coffee in this nice shaded spot. Okay. Yeah, I made it to a place called Strips. Not sure how you pronounce this one. S T R PCE E. So, uh, yeah, that was my effort. Found a little apartment. €20, uh, for this, right in the middle of town. It’s a cool little place, actually. A little kitchen area and stuff. It was an off license right opposite, so we had to get a couple of beers. It’s pretty hot today, actually. And, uh, there’s the town out there. Okay, so here’s tonight’s um preparation for tomorrow. It’s pretty much similar to most nights actually, but uh depends where I’m staying in a little apartment or whatever. But yeah, I’ve washed uh my clothes, hung them up to dry. I’m making some dinner over here on this tiny tiny little stove. I did bring some uh selection of salt and pepper and spices with me, which has been very useful. In fact, my son gave me that. And now I am preparing for tomorrow’s uh ride. Probably about another 60, maybe even 70 mi tomorrow cuz it’s one big climb and then pretty much down and flat. So I might squeeze out another 10 miles tomorrow. Okay, so these fellas decided to follow me up the hill. I can’t go very fast. First big hill of the day coming out of Stripure and today it’s basically one big climb to start with then it gets easier and I’m planning to stop in Pris for lunch. Excuse me. He followed me now for about 3 or 4 5 minutes. I don’t know if he’s getting tired. Okay, I’ve made it to the top of the climb. That’s the hard work done for today. It was actually quite a nice climb. It was probably four or five maybe 6% at times and I had the company of the dog all the way up well 3/4 of the way up near the top there were some guys filling water up from a uh water tap on the side of the road so he stopped there but uh yeah he took my mind off it for quite a while and we’re at about 1500 m now uh it’s been about a 5 or six mile climb and it’s a little ski resort actually say resort. It’s pretty tiny. There’s some pretty old lifts dotted about, but everyone seems to be stopped here having picnics and what have you. So, I’m heading down there. It’s downhill all the way to lunch and then pretty flat after that now. So, awesome. Okay, this guy’s selling honey that he makes himself. So, I’m just going to give it a little try. Looks um brilliant. This is a honeycomb. Cheese. Oh, cheese. Cheese. You make cheese? That’s you. I can try this. That is beautiful. It’s got a nice taste. Really flowery taste. So, this guy’s got blueberries and elderberries. So, I’ve just tried those. The wild blueberries are absolutely amazing. They’re small, but they’re very, very good, these guys saying this this is the best honey and I’m going to try it. silly sauce. Wow, that’s amazing. See the difference? Yeah, it’s a beautiful taste. Beautiful. I wish I if I had a car. Yeah, I would buy some. 25k downhill. Absolutely lovely. Woo. Bit of a headwind slowing me down a bit. Okay, just rolled into prison and what a descent that was. Absolutely incredible. Um, so I’m here pretty early, half 11. I wanted to have a couple of hours to have a look around. Go down to the old stone bridge which is down here somewhere. So there’s the old stone bridge and the old town over there. Very, very busy. We’re going to sit down on a drink and the bite to eat, I think. Okay, we got one cycle lane in the town. It’s on the wrong side of the road. So, I managed to escape from prison. Forget what I did there. Escape from prison. Escape from prison. I thought it was mildly funny, but yeah, it was pretty chaotic getting out of here. had to get myself off the uh one of the busier main roads and back onto the route which is on the quiet back roads which I’m on now. So I left Jacob this morning after a really good night’s sleep actually quiet neighborhood for a change and um yeah got going fairly straightforward little bit boring road to Peda at 22 23 miles. Um, and now I’ve just stopped for a traditional spinach pie and a coffee just to start with. Probably have some more. There it is. Uh, just before heading out of Pia. And then we got the big big climb going up over into Montenegro to come. I think it’s about 1,400 m of climbing. Um, unbelievable number of switchbacks. Um, There’s a little bit of cloud today, so hopefully it might be a bit cooler. But yeah, uh getting ready for the big sign. Stopping the night in Montenegro tonight. I picked up a little cycle track coming out of Peas heading towards the mountains. Uh I don’t know how far it’s going to go, but beats being on the road. Okay, here we go. Just about to start the uh the climb. It’s looking very uh steep and red on my Garmin. Okay, so starting to lose the sun a little bit now and again. which is not a bad thing as long as it doesn’t rain. I think the rain is coming in tomorrow a little bit. Partly why I wanted to get this big one done today. But it’s looking okay actually. Bit cloudy at the top. Well, I reckon I’m over halfway now and it’s time for the emergency can of Coke. I’ve been carrying a can on the big climbs. Bit of boost halfway up. Really, really nice actually. It’s still a little bit cool as well. Okay, I just reached the passport control for exit. Earlier than I thought actually, so bit of a surprise, but anyway, just going to go through now. Okay, nice border guards again. uh told me it’s about 5k to the top of the mountain. So, uh getting close. Okay, come around the back of the mountain now that I came up and heading up this valley up to the saddle in the mountain. I guess probably another 300 m of climbing. still suffering. Must be getting close hopefully. Pretty epic climb. He’s gone green. That is the top just there. Okay. Well, uh, had a night just outside of Rosaji, pronouncing correctly again. Um, stayed in this little, uh, kind of I call it an eco retreat, but it’s just some cabins and that type of thing. Nice little cabin. and had the meal down in the the restaurant down there last night and also with um three guys from the Balkans actually who were doing a tour on their ebikes. Real nice guys. Um and also a lady from New Zealand who uh was traveling on her own and she was on an ebike as well. So, four ebikes in the building. Um, but yeah, it was nice to have a catch up and a chat with them. But a nice little place this and the first morning where the sun’s not out. Uh, the forecast is not to rain, but it’s very damp in the clouds here. I guess in the mountains, you never know what’s going to happen. So, yeah. Got the jacket on, two layers on, first time. So yeah, see what happens. The forecast is reasonable, but just hope it don’t get too damp. [Music] Okay, kicking off this morning with a little climb a few hundred meters out of Rosadne heading towards the Serbian border. So crossing to Serbia for the first time on this trip. It’s very very misty and cloudy this morning, but I think the forecast is for it to clear, burn off mostly. So yeah, looks like it’s doing that well. You soon warm up when you’re going uphill. All the layers are off. Turning out to be a nice day, actually. Beautiful temperature for cycling. Bit cooler. This is a cracking climb. The gradient’s about 4%. Loads and loads of switchbacks and bends, but really, really gentle gradient. So, it’s superb. So, we came over the top. It’s more like a plateau sort of wiggly windy road over the top of the plateau than now it’s a very gentle descent. It’s absolutely lovely. It’s a bit more kind of northern European here with the trees and the the grass and everything. Okay, just leaving Montenegro. Really, really friendly guard again. Really funny saying it was up and down, up and down. He’s not wrong.