In this video Bill and I set off from Kolašin for what turns out to be one of the most eventful stretches of the trip so far, eight days that take us from Montenegro into Albania, through some real highs and one very significant low.
We start with a shorter day in terms of mileage, but still over 1,000m of climbing, ending at a wild camping spot overlooking the hills that was one of those places you just stumble across and can’t quite believe your luck. From there we cross into Albania. The accommodation is a particular highlight of the next couple of days, including a lodge apartment right next to a river that cost us just €29 for the night. Albania is already exceeding expectations.
Things then take a sudden and violent turn. My body decided that the half way point of the trip was the optimum time for a full body purge. I was empty of body and mind. After a day of semi conscious delirium I awoke feeling that the best way to force my body to recover was to scare it into action. The 680m of climbing we did that day felt more like 6,800, and the addition of the baking 38°C midday sun took me to a dark place. I was Sisyphus, the wheels kept turning but my destination remained obstinately many miles ahead of me. However, as mid afternoon approached Zeus must have taken pity on me as the skies darkened and a refreshing rain fell, enabling me to remain alert and upright long enough to roll into town. The following couple of days were tough going, but we kept moving.
We make it up to the Valbona Valley National Park, an out and back route, but one that more than earns its place in this trip. The scenery is stunning and the hotel we stayed at near Valbonë was incredible. The video ends back down in Dushaj where I finally manage to enjoy a proper meal again, feeling back to my best and ready for whatever comes next.
The Trans Dinarica is a 5,500km bikepacking route crossing eight countries through the Balkans — Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania.
Thank you for watching.
Links:
Become a member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7yMDmo2eoCQgY7kxUjCkVQ/join
Ko-fi (If you want to support the channel): https://ko-fi.com/matryder
Review channel (where I review a lot of the gear I will be using on this trip):
https://youtube.com/@matryderreviews?si=XXmCNUNMUqcF9hAA
If you want to find out a bit more about the Trans Dinarica: https://www.transdinarica.com/
00:00. Good Morning
06:27. Saved by prunes
11:24. Crossing into Albania
24:32. The morning after the day before
29:48. Ferry assist
34:17. Room with a view
37:48. Finally feeling good
3 Comments
I don't know how you do it in this heat, always an inspiration for me to get out on the bike! Thank you Mat for sharing your journey with us.
Matt is Bill independently wealthy that he go on a long tour and be able to take so much time off work.
Time to watch this instead of working for the first hour of the day