Day 8: Vyskov to Brno

June 12, 2026

Day 8: Vyskov to Brno

Yesterday, I only rode about 20 miles from Vyskov to Brno. It was very cold in the morning so I had to wear my long sleeve shirt. The ride was pleasant overall, but there were more trucks on the road. Luckily, the Czech drivers know how to pass cyclists so I felt safe.

When I arrived in Brno I noticed the mobile network on my phone was malfunctioning. My phone wasn’t able to connect to any networks. I spent about 45 minutes trying to fix it. It turned out that if I enable airplane mode then disable it, then restart my phone it would work. Weird.

After having another delicious traditional Czech meal, I tried to go into the Wake Up Wellness Hostel. I wasn’t sure if the hostel can store my bicycle and I wanted to check before I book. However, the front door was locked and no one replied to my message on WhatsApp. I decided to go to the coffee shop next door to use the bathroom and get something to drink.

Martin, the barista, and I started chatting. It turns out that Martin also bike toured in Europe. Soon I invited him to sit with me since the shop wasn’t that busy.

Martin told me about some of the attractions nearby. When I told him about my hostel situation he offered to host me, but he had to get his mom’s approval. I told him it’ll be inconvenient since he lives 8 miles north. Martin even called his friend in the city to see if he could host me. By that time, I had already booked at Schrott Bed and Beer hostel that’s a couple of doors down from Wake Up Wellness Hostel on booking.com. I felt Martin is a very kind person trying to help me find a place to stay.

During our conversation, Martin asked me if I was rich. I pointed at my plain grey T-shirt and said, “Do I look rich?” He said that I’m rich in my mindset. To that, I agree. Martin observed that I look happy and I’m doing what I want, therefore I’m rich. He was the second person who told me that upon first meeting. Yes, I do feel rich because I have my health and my freedom.

I said goodbye to Martin since I had to check-in at the hostel. The Schrott Bed and Beer hostel seems like something out of a steampunk movie with all the pipes and gears. The receptionist allowed me to stay in a private room for the same price as a dorm so I can store my bicycle. I was very happy about that.

After settling down in the room, I had some spicy Chinese noodles at Wang Noodles restaurant then walked around the city. The center of the city isn’t that big. I saw the Brno Astronomical Clock, which is completely different from other astronomical clocks in Czechia. It’s a black, modern looking dial of some sort. The other highlight in the city is the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. There was a mass going on so avoided going up to the altar, but I was able to pay and go up to the towers for a look of the city from above. When I came back to the hostel, I realized I had missed seeing the Špilberk Castle that’s on the outskirt of the city center.

I slept for 11.5 hours last night. Today is a big cycling day. I have to ride 38 miles from Brno to Břeclav, my longest distance yet, and stay at a hostel again.