In Montenegro we like to say we’re more resistant to living in crisis than the rest of the world – and I'm only half joking! For those of us who remember the 90s, this mess we're in regarding Covid-19 doesn't register on the same scale at all. There's no question, though, that social distancing has pushed us to change our routines and improvise to keep physically and mentally healthy - so to keep my spirits up I've been cycling some of Montenegro's least known trails! Being active for me is more than a desire – it's a need. Under lock-down all gyms, swimming pools and parks were closed - but people were allowed outside alone for personal exercise. So, to use an English expression, I got on my bike! After almost 50 days I've managed about 900 km and put almost 9000 metres of altitude in my legs. Not bad; it’s like I cycled Mount Everest! And yeah, I also lost 4 kilos, even though I really enjoyed delicacies from my mother’s kitchen (I also did cooking regularly!). I didn't want to be hugely visible when many people were suffering indoors in small apartments. I also wanted to respect the physical distancing required, so I chose to ride around the thinly populated hills near Podgorica (we are still limited to the municipality in which we live). I picked a route that goes very steeply up into the highlands above Bjelopavlici – less frequented, beautiful and most cyclists don’t go there because of its grade of difficulty. In total it’s not that long a route – about 50km [oh, is that all? - Ed], but there’s one segment which does test you – in 7km you climb about 680 metres. When you come to the foothills and see the pass above
In Montenegro we like to say we’re more resistant to living in crisis than the rest of the world – and I’m only half joking! For those of us who remember the 90s, this mess we’re in regarding Covid-19 doesn’t register on the same scale at all. There’s no question, though, that social distancing has
