Safe Return Doubtful

68 miles (109 km) – Total so far: 761 miles (1,225 km)

Motel Rama is another hotel that has had a major refurbishment. The rooms are immaculate, and the restaurant huge, I think as they host many weddings. Last night though I was one of the only 3 guests. No English, which is the norm outside of Sarajevo, but the manager and I did our best. Dinner and a couple of German beers went well. The hotel at 23 Euro with breakfast (always an omelette by their selection).

Today was based around three mountain passes, so a lot of climbing, especially when the last came as a bit of a surprise, but all in asphalt, and the sun is back out, temperatures late 20s and humid.

Just a 100 metre up and down and to Rama Lake.
Things are quiet, I think some schools are back, and others are doing registration for the new year and return next Monday. But there are very few people on vacation like this time last week.

Some really picturesque villages around the lake and into the hills.
All preparing wood for the winter, which reminds me…

The first pass is just out of Rama, 6-8 % on a very quiet road from 630 metres to 1260 metres.

On the way up I met a Dutch guy travelling alone in an aged camper van, 79 he was.

After the pass there is a wide plateau, with lots of cattle farming.
Having taken 2 hours for the first 20 km, the next section of 30 km was very fast. On the plateau I had a slight wind behind me. Everything helps.

Typical plateau riding, and barely a car.

And a downhill of 400 metres to a lunch stop at Sujica.
And.. unfortunately, I’ve joined a much busier road.
This is the start of the second pass, from 700 metres, back up to plateau territory, at 1220 metres.

There’s a junction at the town of Livno and I lose the Split traffic. Some help.
This is a big town, even has a by-pass.

10 kilometres on and the road I want heads off into the hills.
When I looked at the route last night I missed this climb. Back up to 1150 metres in 10 km. a nice surprise…

But at least the road in quiet again. After the pass, a short descent and the agricultural land is back. Dotted around the mountainside are tiny villages.

And the end of the riding at the small town of Glamoc, at 950 metres.
I’m at the Hotel Split. It’s 3 stars like the others I’ve stayed at, and also has had a refurb, but not quite as grand as the likes of Moskva and Rama. 15 Euros a night, and no restaurant, so off out to investigate.
I left at 9 this morning. Late for no reason really, dilly-dallying around after a 7:15 breakfast, and the consequence, arriving at 6:30 pm.
A wonderful day of riding though.