Thursday 31st August 2017
From Elbasan at 16.00, parked up the car at the Alpet filling station by the roundabout and cycled up the SH3 road for Gracen BIG 989. Only four cars passed me the whole way, the reason being that this was the old road to Tirana but there was now a much better road which we came in on. I took me until 18.15 to reach Gracen. On the way I passed a mosque at a bend in the road and radio masts on a hill. The road is fairly steep up with bends at the lower part and great views down to Elbasan and the valley. Halfway up the road left the valley over the ridge and head away to reach the high point above a neighbouring valley. I continued on some way along the an upper ridge across the top on the opposite side before Gracen but soon became obvious that Gracen was the top of the climb so I stopped a while at the only cafe there and had a large Hellas beer for 100 lek (65p) then returned back down to the car, arriving at 19.00 with photos on the way down.
Sunday 3rd September 2017
I drove south at 08.15 after breakfast and went along the coast south to Orikum and parked up. I unloaded the bike and cycled inland along the Dukatit Valley heading for Qafa E Llogorase BIG 994 at 1050 metres. The valley road is a gradual up as far as the road off to Dukat, and from that point the road rises abruptly between high concrete walls for 500 metres then two sharp curves to gain height and along an upper valley, a short descent then another bend where the road continues upwards. At one point along here there were road works as there had been a rock fall and there was much mud on the road. I couldn’t avoid getting spattered which was shame because I had nice clean white socks! I continued on past a disused garage to the right then heading above the valley and into the Llogora forest and national park with a series of hairpins and past many cafes and restaurants to the top. In 22km, 14 miles the height difference is 1050 metres. On the way I found Alberti Hotel where I stayed a few years ago on my first visit for my one night only stay in the country. It’s the third hotel from the top on the left coming up from the south side. Cycling up took me two hours, 09.00 to 11.00. There was no view at the top because of low cloud. I freewheeled down the other side at 11.15 and into Dhermi on the coast and at the foot of the climb at 12.00 noon. I didn’t particularly want to see Dhermi as Ruth and I will explore this when we drive back over this road tomorrow. At 12.15 I turned around and cycled back up to Qafa E Llogorase, reaching the top at 14.30; 16km. I stopped twice on the way up; first to rest because of the heat and finish off one water bottle and take some sweets then later 1500 metres from the top to fill up with water from the tourist information booth in the viewpoint car park. Conscious of time I wanted to get back to the car and back to the hotel in Vlore. With photos along the way and a stop for a drink I was back to the car in Orikum at 16.15
Thursday 7th September 2017
I cycle away from the hotel at 08.00. On my way out of Korce I get confused with direction. I should have taken a right turn from the roundabout to the right of the hotel before reaching the town. Instead I carry on into the town and take the main road north east. I asked the way at a garage and was directed almost back to our hotel! I recognised the roundabout and street names near to our hotel. I continued along and sure enough I was on the correct road now heading south. At 3 kilometres from the town I took the left turn for Boboshtice on road SH90, now heading for my climb of Dardhe Ski Bigell, BIG 989. There’s a slight rise to the village. On entering the farming village I took a left turn for a steep 15% then joined the road going up to the climb between sandstone cliffs. I entered a gap between hilly barren slopes that soon became steeper. The road rises dramatically after a water fountain on the right. I was into gorge scenery of barren brown rock. In a series of steep sections I eventually reached a series of gravel road sections interspersed with asphalt sections. After a bend to the left then a final 20% rise and final bend to the right I arrived at the ski-station. It’s very small, not what I expected. A gateway framed by upright skis placed into the earth and beyond a caravan blaring loud music in French; this wasn’t exactly a resort. However this is the base of the ski-lift. I passed over the brow of the road summit and partly down the other side to be certain that I had passed the top of the road – then back again. It took me two hours to cycle from Korce, 08.00 to 10.00 but this would have been one and a half hour if I wasn’t confused with road directions in Korce. There were no signposts. I texted Ruth to say I would be back at the hotel at 11.30 but actually arrived 20 minutes before. I knew the road now! I stopped a few times on the way back to take photos.