Day 199: Lukovë to Dhërmi

Tough day at the office

I had no idea Albania was so hilly. The spectacular mountains roll right down to the beaches, which makes for interesting cycling. 

A high five from the kids in the town

Albania spent around 60 year in isolation, and I think there’s a fair chance that’s because ever time someone thought about leaving the country, 50km later the mountains had worn them down so much they decided to go home instead. 

We haven’t seen hill like this for a long time, with regular signs indicating 10% gradients, which are a bit much for us. We were doing ok to start with, but after about 5km of hills this steep we were reduced to walking up the steepest stretch. 

Signs let us know it’s hard all the time

We’re taking it easy though, not trying to do too much and we need to save some energy for tomorrow when we go over the Cesar Pass which soars over us as we lie on the beach today with five mighty switchbacks climbing to 1,100m from sea level. Should be fun. 

Tomorrow’s climb looms disturbingly above the beach