Greetings from Korcula

It was an early start this morning. As we had a somewhat different day planned. The idea was to cycle down to Split and then get the ferry across to Korcula, a narrow and as it turns out, beautiful island which runs parallel with the coast for 30 miles. The slight challenge was that Split was about a 50 mile ride and we had to be there for the ferry at 10 am. So it was breakfast at five, departure at 05:30. The hotel were brilliant, the Night Manager had laid out a full breakfast for us and although our initial interactions of the day could best be described as monosyllabic, we were on the bikes by 05:40.

There’s something rather appealing about cycling through large towns first thing in the morning, deserted streets, the first weary locals making their way to work, the smell of baking bread. We were soon out of Sibenik and once again heading south. Moisture lay heavy in the cold morning air as we started the first climb of the day, about 400 meters of climb through countryside whose appeal was increasing the more we saw of it, the gentle rustic charm of this place is infectious.

And speaking of infectious, the flu like bug that Chris had been kind enough to bring with him had now properly landed with Graham and Jeremy and I are not I fear, very far behind. How Graham made it through the day I don’t know, coughing like a cold diesel engine on every hill.
We made it to Split in good time and boarded the ferry for the three hour crossing to Korcula.

Nice to be off the saddle for a couple of hours

As soon as the bikes were safely stowed away, we went up stairs and basically slept for the next three hours until we got to our destination.

Last man standing

The afternoon was by common consent, the best ride of the trip so far, long smooth roads through this deserted island with a Mediterranean feel. Olive groves, vineyards, granite mountains and warm summer sunshine on our backs. Long climbs and sweeping hairpin down hills which we flew down following the natural ‘race line’ of the roads.

Cycled the length of the island and got into the enchanting town of Korcula about 5. The Korcula hotel is a lovely old place with fine rooms over looking the harbour and charming, attentive staff. Dinner in Filippi Restaurant, an avant-garde, organic establishment. Good food excellent local wine. The bed. Last day tomorrow

77 miles (124 km) 5,500 feet of climbing (1676  meters)

GPX files of today's route Sibenik to Split   Vela Luka to Korcula