Riding in Prague

Wednesday, 4 July 2007

Riding a mountain bike around Prague is an unexpected joy.  The Czech Republic has an amazing network of walking tracks, although unlike Australian walking tracks these are considered multiple use tracks and horses, walkers and bikes are all common and share the tracks happily.

The tracks are long established and although nominally walking tracks, are mostly smooth and easy riding.  For the most part they are paths, although they do take in village roads and forest tracks.  A lovely feature of these is their choice of track.  The routes always take the more interesting small tracks where ever possible.

A typical route takes in forest and fields and passes through villages on the way.  The forests are so beautiful it almost makes you feel like going for a run!  And if you wanted to make a multi-day cycle tour it would just be a case of finding a pub to stay in each evening.  You could easily cross the country this way.

The routes are clearly marked on trees and street posts with small, painted, coloured stripes.  Coupled with a map it's easy to follow the route you're on.  Just look for blue and white stripes or whatever colour you happen to be on.

Another incredibly civilised feature of the tracks is the bridges, over and under passes which are solely for people on the tracks.  The local river, Berounka has a number of large foot bridges over it just to service the local walkers.  Prague  simply must be one of the best cities in the world for mountain bike riding.