September 24: Galicica Pass to Bitola

Today starts with a bus ride to the top of the world! Galicica Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,660m (5,446 ft) above the sea level, located in southwestern Macedonia. The road over the pass, while asphalted, is closed in winters. The road includes some steep sections, without marked central lines, is very narrow, scarcely wide enough for two cars to pass at the same time and there are no protections or guard rails along some parts of the route. Yes this is our way down by bike!!

The view of Lake Ohrid from such a high point is well worth the venture up the winding road with a switchback every few hundred yard. The bus with bike trailer in tow slowly creeps up the mountainside with no trepidation!

A summit disembarking and regrouping and it is off down the other side of the pass. The air is chilled at this altitude so jackets become a requirement before daring the descent. Midway down the mountain is is a stop in a quiet little village for a "socialist worker's lunch". A "hunk of break, some cheese, and sausage" all make shifted from the local grocery store.

Just prior to the community of Bitola the Heraclea Lyncestis comes upon horizon. It is a Greek/Roman ruins with beautiful persevered mosaics. A guided tour of the facility and then off to the hotel for the night.