30 August 2023, Pristina, 38.73km
Studio Apartment 22.50€ [R450]

Two more-or-less parallel roads run southeast from Mitrovica to Pristina, Kosovo's capital. The smaller of the two runs west of the Sitnica river; the highway lies to the east of the river. The Sitnica is only 90km long, flows only in Kosovo, and terminates at the Ibar river in Mitrovica.
We chose the road less travelled for our 40km ride. In the town of Vushtrri we zigged but missed our zag and found ourselves on the frighteningly busy highway instead. This was traumatic for a short period only. For a section we were able to ride the newly-constructed highway not yet open to vehicles (now that's what I call a cycle path!); thereafter a wide, safe shoulder brought us to within spitting distance of our studio apartment in the city centre.
It was an uninspiring ride through dull scenery and drab towns. But the people are definitely more prone to greet, always a pleasant plus, one shop keeper rushing out with two small bottles of ice-cold water when we stopped near his door to consult our offline Google map.
Our little apartment is one of three in the backyard of a biggish house. If we walk out the back gate and circle the block to the front gate, we pass probably six mini- and supermarkets (including a Spar from which we saw someone shoplift a yoghurt!), several bakeries and coffee shops, and maybe eight or more restaurants. Seems like a good place to settle while we visa-hunt...