Today you will start your epic trip leaving the capital behind you.
After following the Vtava river for a while, crossing a few amazing city parks, admiring many famous landmarks and a bit of zigzagging through communist blocks of flats, you will get to the country side.
Once there you will followthe Elbe river and enjoy many km of backroads all the way to Poděbrady, the legendary spa town.
This stage can be entirely skipped by train. Stronger riders can pair it with Stage 2 which is shorter than usual.
Minimum distance and gain: 29 km / 18 mt
Maximum distance and gain: 81 km / 290 mt
Road Bike Version distance and gain: 85 km / 320 mt
This stage is developed in cooperation with Brandýs nad Labem - Stará Boleslav Town Hall
Official video
"Bohemian Cyclist" unofficial video
Disclaimer: please keep in mind that the Bohemian Cyclist is mainly riding Regular Stages which are supposed to be hard. Shorter variants are easier!
(i.e. road works, fallen trees, road closures or why not even just a comment!)
Choose the stage that suits you the most in terms of km and gain.
Download the gpx or the map, the stamp book and set for the big adventure!
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that although we try to keep an eye on all the loops and constantly update them also with the help of municipalities, You might still find last minute detours and unpredictable hazards on the way. So when riding Cesko Okolo you are doing it under your full responsibility
Tomorrow stage is going to be shorter than normal becasue there is a lot to see in Kutna Hora.
If you are not much into history you might think to push a bit harder today...
If you are a strong rider think about riding Stage 1 and 2 in one shot.
Start: Czech Around HQ – Vratislavova 58/3, Praha 2
Finish: Jiřího náměstí , Poděbrady (main square)
This stage starts from Czech Around HQ which is located a few meters from one of the main cycling paths along the river, the A2. Please keep in mind that gettting out of Prague center is complicated. There are many little turnings and a few steep uphills. So if you are into an easy start we recommend you getting the metro to Cerny Most (61 km variant). Back to the route, start cycling along the river direction North. At the National Theatre you cross the river and immediately after you turn right and get to Kampa park (careful, there are stairs). Cross Kampa, ride under Charles bridge until you get to Mánesův bridge which you will use to cross the river again. Once on the other side you keep going north until you get to a complex of modern buildings (one of them is Danube House, made famous by James Bond in Casino Royal). At that point you go inland and enter the vibrant Karlin district. In a while you will be swallowed by a tunnel that will take you on the other side of Vitkov Hill just to find out immediately after that you actually have to climb that very hill! Don’t worry, the reward on the top is great: one of the best views over Prague and one of the biggest equestrian statues on the planet. After that the cycling path A25 will take you all the way out of Prague running through old communist neighborhoods, minor roads through old villages now part of the city and nice green areas. Around km 30 the Elbe river will welcome you in the countryside. Before heading East a little detour to Brandys nad Labem and its famous castle is a must. After that Elbe will keep you company all the way to Nymburk first and Poděbrady later, your destination for the day.
Tired, injured, bad weather, not enough time? Here a quick tool to shorten the stages with trains in case of need.
Click on the triangles to jump to the Czech Railway website and see the timetable.
Legend
Red dots: hospitals
Blue dots: bike shops
Useful numbers:
Start: Černý most metro station Prague 14 – Yellow line
Finish: Jiřího náměstí , Poděbrady (main square)
This stage variants uses the yellow metro to get to the edge of Prague. This way you avoid almost 20 km. After that it follows the Regular Stage’s route. You just need to get the yellow metro and go all the way to the terminal Cerny Most. Once you get out you are on the route and after only 14 km to the Elbe river will welcome you in the countryside. Before heading East a little detour to Brandys nad Labem and its famous castle it is a must. After that Elbe will keep you company all the way to Nymburk first and Poděbrady later, your destination for the day.
Tired, injured, bad weather, not enough time? Here a quick tool to shorten the stages with trains in case of need.
Click on the triangles to jump to the Czech Railway website and see the timetable.
Start: Lysa nad Labem train station
Finish: Palackeho Namesti, Kutna Hora (main square)
This stage starts from the train station in Lysa nad Labem, a small town outside of Prague. You can get a TRAIN at Praha Masarykovo station and easily load your bike. The train ride is only 37′. Once you get out of the station you start riding and follow the cycling path direction south and after a few hudread meters the Elbe river will welcome you and it will keep you company all the way to Nymburk first and Poděbrady later, your destination for the day.
Tired, injured, bad weather, not enough time? Here a quick tool to shorten the stages with trains in case of need.
Click on the triangles to jump to the Czech Railway website and see the timetable.
Start: Czech Around HQ, Prague
Finish: Jiřího náměstí , Poděbrady (main square)
This stage starts from Czech Around HQ which is located a few meters from one of the main cycling paths along the river, the A2. You start cycling along the river direction North. Careful because this first part is busy with cars. Soon you will get to a complex of modern buildings (one of them is Danube House, made famous by James Bond in Casino Royal). From that time on, you will be following the river all the way to a little village with a weir called Klecany. A road on your right will take you up hill for a while. Bye bye Vltava river, see you soon Elbe river. In fact after about 20km, the Elbe river will welcome you in the town of Brandys nad Labem where a short visit to its famous castle it is a must. After that Elbe will keep you company all the way to Nymburk first and Poděbrady later, your destination for the day.
Tired, injured, bad weather, not enough time? Here a quick tool to shorten the stages with trains in case of need.
Click on the triangles to jump to the Czech Railway website and see the timetable.
Get the specifically designed booklet where you can collect stage stamps that could be hidden in a geocache or to be found in a coffee shop, restaurant info point etc
You can get your stamps at:
1.Podebrady official tourist point
Location: Jiřího nám. 19, Poděbrady I, 290 01 Poděbrady
Opening hours: Mon to Sat 9.30am-6pm
2. Bonus stamps. Brandys Infocentrum
Location: Plantáž 250 01, 250 01 Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 9AM-12PM, 1-PM
Sat to Sun 9AM-5PM
How to read the map:
Red dots: hospitals
Blue dots: bike shops
Useful numbers:
If you enjoyed riding around Czechia thanks to our project please consider supporting it with a free donation which will be used to cover the cost of running such a complex operation.
BIKO provides 5 stars services for cyclists since 2011. Bike tours, bike rental and service in Prague, Bike Holidays in Europe, apparel and events.
