Pick a gate, any gate.

Yet another stupid o'clock start. Car dropped smoothly enough & so to the bike drop - no queue to check in. Security cleared & everything was going so smoothly. Then the delight that is thunderstorms over Frankfurt. Not the first time. 15 mins delay turned into 45, then 90. Ended up having to board, depart the gate & park up until Frankfurt gave the go ahead. At least the plane was only half full. Couldn't figure out why the email came through saying hand luggage could be checked in because the plane was full. Eventually made it off but the endless updates for connecting flights told a story of an airport in chaos. And so it proved. Endless people dashing for planes. There was a 3 hour layover for Skopje so that wasn't too bad. Just had to get to the gate. Frankfurt is so big they laid on a bus to get to the other side. Eventually, made it to find that it had been changed. Then again, and again and again. But each & every time you walk to the gate to find it had been changed. 5 gate changes & the thunderstorms had wandered somewhere between Frankfurt and Skopje. Another 45 mins delay on a plane full of toddlers and babies. Nice. And to top it off the steward trashed my water bottle moving it for some idiot that had bought multiple suitcases on board. This might have been why the email was sent. Not the best start to the trip. Hopefully it will get better. Hit Skopje Airport 1 hour late. Immigration wouldn't stamp my passport - 50th country & no stamp - how dare they. Pulled over in customs - thought they were going to want a full unpacking but took it at face value that it wasn't a new bike. Look at the packaging lad. The assembly went well enough & on the road just after 4. Roads seemed a bit sketchy and as for the bike lanes. The original aim had been to check in & then cycle up to the Mt Vodno cable car. According to Google they stopped at 8. Going to require a quick turnaround. Quick stop at the main square for cash - thankfully after I was accosted by an American YouTuber trying to get cash out of me. Lame video idea - do one. Was a bit more polite. Last mile was a bit of a climb. Warden suggested that the last cable car might a bit sooner. Dumped bags and off up the mountain. Urgh. Out of climbing practice. Didn't help the lack of water supplies. Could see at each switchback that the views would be good. Parked up & headed to the ticket office - to find no cable cars running & what looked a very closed ticket booth. Rats. Except it wasn't. Just needed to wait till 7 & they'd crank it for 30 mins. Just don't miss the last one. Got some recommendations for Montenegro from one of the people waiting. Quick dash around - lots of mountain bikers up here and a closed bike shop. No breaks bring caught do far. Lazy snack tea & an early-ish night. Going to be a hard day tomorrow.Læs mere