I had this bike for almost two year now! I can honestly say it has been the best mountain bike that I’ve ever had…

It’s Friday and we’re trying to figure out what to do with the whole weekend. Rain is pretty much forecast for the entire day on Saturday. But my mind has its exploring shoes on, and I really don’t want to sit around at home doing stuff on the computer.

I really like this diptych. I won’t explain it, but I’m truly glad to have friends like Jakub.

We went for a hike, for a change. Maybe it was just for the sole purpose of walking — doing something different from what we're used to. Changing things up, maybe slowing down, going a shorter distance and enjoying more of what's around us. Or going further — it doesn't really matter. Without a time limit. It could take 30 minutes, an hour, or a whole day. No plan.

It’s Sunday, kinda warm, and we’re off for a hike. At first, neither of us thought there would be anything special about it. But after we crossed the altitude of 1000 meters above sea level, everything became special. That’s the rule.

This weekend I spent with my mom, on a hike to a sparsely visited place. Some of you know where it is, some don’t. The weather was unpredictable—sun, rain, wind, kind of cold, and a few tiny patches of snow still left on the ground from the last cold days…

I’ve probably written about this a thousand times—or at least it feels that way. These old, forgotten trails occupy my thoughts constantly when I’m out and about.

There are still places out there—hidden in plain sight. I love exploring them; they’re the most precious places Mother Nature has to offer. Finding them carries the same weight as some of life’s big milestones: graduation, a first kiss, a promotion... even winning the lottery (which I never have). Long story short, these places mean a lot—to me, and to themselves.

While sitting in front of the cabin and enjoying our lunch, a thought came to me. Do you know how we usually talk about our age in years?

Anyway—today, we checked out the ruins of Brníčko Castle and spent almost an hour there. The place is magical, and the views… jeeesh. Then we grabbed coffee at Pikola in Šumperk, headed back to Olomouc, and wrapped up the day with an evening walk through the city. That’s it, that’s all.

We head out from home in thick fog, feeling a little bummed that we won’t get to see much. But I tell myself, quietly, that it’s fine—it’ll still be awesome.

weekend stroll volume three

weekend stroll volume two

hiking before cycling

Why do I run at night (in the dark)?
It kind of tricks my mind, making it feel like everything around me slows down. You don’t see distractions like streetlights, passing cars, or lights in the windows that would mess up the trick. It’s just me, total darkness, and my headlamp—because breaking your ankle isn’t fun.

The Jeseníky Mountains are dotted with old hunting cabins and huts. They’re easy to find on maps, but some are tucked away in very remote spots. Yes, you guessed it—I prefer the remote ones. Unfortunately, unlike bothies in Scotland, these cabins in the Czech Republic usually belong to forest services or other organizations, so they can only be explored from the outside. Today, we’re visiting one that’s over 100 years old.