Day Seven: Freistadt to Cesky Krumlov

Wednesday brought us cooler temperatures and cloudy skies, but the rain stayed away during our ride so we had no complaints. Today we would cross the border from Austria into the Czech Republic. We were excited about moving into a new country and seeing its sights. The ride started with a steep climb for the first mile, so a few of the girls (including me) grabbed a ride to the top while the other cyclists battled up the hill. We met at the top and continued the rest of the 30+ mile ride to Cesky Krumlov together.

A few kilometers later, we hit the border and stopped for a few photos with some of the group.

Leaving Austria

We stopped for a regroup in another picturesque town called Rozmberk. The river below is the Vltava River, the longest river in the Czech Republic. We followed its path for much of the day. Many summer camps were set up along its banks, and we even saw a few people kayaking and rafting on it through the mountains.

Our lunch stop and final destination for the day was Cesky Krumlov. This town is a hidden gem. I could have stayed there much longer. It had a great vibe coupled with lots of history and some great sights including the Cesky Krumlov Castle. After eating lunch and getting cleaned up from the ride, we journeyed out on a walking tour of the city. Here’s a few of the highlights (and many more photos can be seen in the “photos” section of the blog).

View of main town square from our hotel window

View of castle and St. Vitus church

View of the “small castle” on the hill while standing on the Barber Bridge

Kayaking in the river. We ate dinner at the cafes on right. Great food and great views!

View of the city from the castle

Bears in the moat of the castle! I guess that will keep away unwanted guests.