day 8 Hvar: Stari Grad to Sućuraj. 39 miles.

Day 8

Up at silly o'clock to get the 5am ferry from Split to Stari Grad on the island of Hvar. This got us in at 7.30 so we could avoid roasting in the afternoon sun. It’s hard to imagine this intense heat when you planning from your sofa in February.

We started by taking a small deviation to Hvar. We cycled the length of the island along the very quiet main road climbing up two very long slow climbs up to 350m (1200 ft). We rode through endless olive groves with noisy cicadas and spectacular views of the coast. After 25 miles of mostly climbing came the fun of speeding downhill for 14 miles to Sućuraj where a small ferry was just about to depart for the mainland. This has been my favourite day’s riding. Amazing scenery with rugged coast line, mountains, manageable hills to climb and fantastic descents.

We got into Drvenik with the whole afternoon to swim in the sea and laze around our beach front apartment. No cooker so pizza for dinner.

Extras: locals enjoying the shade and a view from the ferry