Not a bridge

The climb up to the reservoir where we will spend the night is heavily wooded, warm and long. We pause to visit a Georgian medieval cathedral with intricate exterior stonework and old frescos inside.

The night by the water is little less idyllic than hoped for. The fishermen (and the mosquitos) are up all night. The former move their car onto our secluded beach after we have already pitched and their night time shenanigans (especially the warning lights that flash each time they unlock /lock the car) disturb us.

The next morning we are up early and enjoy the early mists and the ride along the water to a small pass. Here we start the long descent into the heat of the main valley of Georgia.

Trying to avoid both ups and downs across the foothills and the motorway, we choose an offroad route, suggested by komoot. We cross the river meadows through the cows only to find that the bridge marked on the map is nothing more than a raised gas pipe. Do we go back and the brave the motorway? Climb back many km in the heat to go round? Or wade this uncrossable looking river? We start to head back, then Alain bravely tests the muddy warm water. It is just at his shorts-line. But not so easy as we can not see the bottom, and there is a current and slippery boulders. Alain succeeds in carrying each bike above the water. We make many trips (8 for Alain) taking panniers, tent etc. Finally we are across and can now head along the hot and busy valley roads. Turning off the main road we struggle on, landing exhausted by an idyllic stream with a wonderful nighttime frog accompaniment.Read more