Safe Return Doubtful

72 miles (116 km) – Total so far: 155 miles (249 km)

On the road just after 8, clear sky, it’s going to be warm.
Good place to stay at 20 euros. And breakfast was cheese pie, that was a first.

Downhill for 250 metres (avoiding the bears) then back up 250..

The border is at 1000 metres asl.
Less than 5 minutes to get through, though cars were queuing way back, the advantages of being on a bike…

The first Albanian town I came to was Billisht.
The centre was really smart, cafes and restaurants on the pedestrianised pavements and a buzz about it.

Downhill to the plains, but still at 800 metres asl.

Not more than two hours in Albania this time, though I’m back tomorrow..
Macedonian entry as smooth as Albania.

Especially so as I the Chief or Border Police’s lunch with me..l
I had had lunch at a restaurant a few km back and the waiter asked to me to carry his lunch up to the border.

Back up to 1000 metres, then up and down on the shores of the huge Lake Prespa.

Into Stenje – a now historical village. Just a few weeks ago the presidents of Greece and Macedonia met here and agreed to Macedonian independence. The local people hope it is the key to economic success, and an EU place.
I was after water, and the only restaurant had just closed. But the owner invited me to join him and his family, who were drinking hard. I was obliged to taste the grappa, perfect for the climb to come…

There’s a great road between Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid. I picked it up from dangerousroads.org and it was something I was really keen to do. It didn’t disappoint.
It’s a type of concrete surface, one lane with a few wider bit, and very rough with lots of potholes.
It goes up to 1600 metres, a climb of 750 m from Stenje. But it’s the hairpins on the downhill the gets it it’s reputation. There are many parts where there is a sheer drop off the side, for many metres.
The road on a bike is excellent. Just a word of caution though descending, it’s fast, and though there are very few cars, if one comes it’s watch out for potholes…

At 1600 metres and looking down to Lake Ohrid. The village of Trpejca is visible 800 vertical metres below, around many switchbacks.

This is a good bit of the concrete road, but there were many potholes.