SLOVENIAN MIRACLES & THE ALPE ADRIA CYCLE PATH
After Ursula got all equipment packed and driven to slovenias capital it was time to polish the bikes and prepare everything for the welcome briefing. We were accommodated in a really rare art deco hotel in the center of Ljubljana. With this flair we set of to show the bikes to our 6 guests and adjust the seats, while everybody was able to try them in the pedestrian area infront of our hotel. With that done it was time to explore the city and get to know each other on our way to dinner. The Michelin proven restaurant set the perfect frame for Cheryl’s birthday. Ice cream on the way home rounded off our welcome day.
We head towards the mountains, the Julian Alps with the Triglav National Park. The breakfast was beautiful, the weather is awesome - so off we go. Kranj is our first stop. The Gothic-style houses, the old church and town hall form the historic atmosphere and were the reason why the entire old town is a protected monument. After a coffee break we headed for Bled, Slovenian`s most popular tourist resort. The "Old Bled House" hostes us for the night.
Goodbye, Bled—we’re off to Italy. We cycle along the Radnovna, a small mountain stream on the edge of the mighty Triglav massif. Old sawmills and mills along the river bear witness to life in the valley. We reach Kranjska Gora, the well-known winter sports resort in the Julian Alps, a gathering place for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. Then there’s a little surprise along the way. And shortly afterward, we cross the Italian border and arrive in Tarvisio. You can already hear the cappuccino cups clinking.
What a day! We knew it would be a great day for cycling, but we were still blown away. Okay, let’s take it step by step—breakfast, briefing, then off on the bike path through the Canal Valley. The bike path is paved all the way, offers incredible views of the mountains, goes through tunnels, past waterfalls, over bridges, and winds to the right and left of the Tagliamento. Ah, the Tagliamento—it’s the last unspoiled, wild Alpine river, up to 2 km wide, mystical and beautiful. Chiusaforte is the first stop. A cooperative of young people runs a café/bistro in an old train station. Super cool vibe there, tons of cyclists, perfect coffee, and delicious cornetti. In Venzone, we get a history lesson. The 1976 earthquake destroyed everything. The town has painstakingly but steadily risen like a phoenix from the ashes. We visit the mummies and “Il Gobbo” and treat ourselves to pasta, pizza, and affogato. We continue along the Tagliamento River. At an average speed of 24 km/h, we arrive in San Daniele at 4:00 p.m.—after a grueling 85 km—and round out the day with prosciutto and beer.