Destination Slovenia

alpinerider

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Having done a last minute trip through French alps last year in September I had decided that this month would be a regular time for me to enjoy somewhere on the bike as the masses have generally all returned to work and the weather seems to be still warm/hot and settled in the Alps.
One area I had not ridden before was the Julian Alps NW Slovenia so had decided this year to tick that box.
Planned to go roughly 29th August but weather forecast were showing thunderstorms all around that area. Bit of patience was rewarded with a ten day forecast of sunny weather from the 10th September so that’s when I headed off.
I had recently tried to sell my 1190 Adventure unsuccessfully so decided to use that and bang some extra miles on her and shag the tyres before lowering price to sell.
Ferry booked the night before, I headed off with no map but a rough idea in my head where I wanted to be.
Day 1
10:25 P&O ferry Dover Calais.
Disembark and enter into Garmin : Innsbruck. ( I intended to head over Timmelsjoch.)
All was going according to my rough idea on route until Strasbourg where instead of heading further East, Stuttgard as I had imagined I found myself heading South on D5. Anyway turned off the Motorway after approx 425 miles from Calais and was in a place called Kappel Grafenhausen. 1st Hotel seen and that was first day in. 623 miles for the day. Funny how the Garmin route totally different from Google maps.

Day 2.
I set my mind on being over the Timmelsjoch today so set of fairly early from hotel which happened to be one of those Euro Hotel type places. Nice enough breakfast and they were generous enough for me to pack up a spot of lunch from the buffet. 
Garmin now had me riding on the D31 North side of Lake Constance which made a pleasant change from the previous days motorway slog. Although not intending to use much Autoroute in Austria en route I thought it best to buy Vignette before entering somewhere around Lindau.
 

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Had the tomato soup at the restaurant at the top but unlike the last time I was up there when it was made with fresh tomatoes with a bob of cream in it, this time it was a poor effort from a tin with a few dodgy croutons floating around in it. Disappointed.
Had a quick walk round to stretch the legs then off again. These piles of stones seem to be a regular feature nowadays on most alpine passes. People with to much time on their hands if you ask me.
 

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So off the Timmelsjoch and now in Italy I take the Jaufenpass SS44 toward Vipiteno Stezing where I would stop the the night. Stopped in Gastaus at 55 Yo Yos including brekkie. Total miles for day 325

Day 3
Leave V Stezing 09:00 with intention riding through Arabba Cortina & as far East as I could get that day .
Decided to go south first on the Penser Jock to Bolzano SS508 . I had never done this pass before as previous years had made my way toward Arabba via the ss12 & Pordoi.
Penser Jock was a great road but managed to get a little mixed up getting out of Bolzano on SS241 & Pass valle Fassa ss48 before getting onto still one of my favourites the Pass Pordoi into Arabba.
After stopping for a while reminicing in Arabba I continued on toward Cortina on the Passo Fazarago rather that Giau as again not done this road before.
Continued East and via ss48 & SS52 which included the passo Muaria and decided to call it a day in a small town of 900 people Ampezzo . Stopped in small squre and booking .com pointed to hotel accross road behind me for 60 € inc. Walked over the road before booking to be told it was only 50€ result. Rest of the night drinking large red wines in the few bars on main street at € 2 a pop. ( Hotel Grimani ) lovely place for overnight or even longer. Bikes in the Portico on a red carpet !
Before anyone asks I was not getting a freebie in exchange for posting the picture of the blue scooter !
 

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Just a couple more from day 3 Destination Slovenia
Looking down at Cortina D, Ampezzo
Not sure exactly where other two. ??
230 miles today
 

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Day 4 . Into Slovenia
Following a breakfast of champions I continued East on the SS52 / SS13 to Resiutta wher I had read somewher on this site that there was a great way to head into Slovenia via tha SP42 and Uccea.
Interesting pass! It did a great job of lowering my overall avearge speed for the trip :) Into Slovenia around 10:00 and direct to Bovec. Here I get into the tourist inf office on the main square and pick up a couple of the free tourist maps to help out in the Julian Alps.
So a great day spent in this area . I was looking to get a swim in the Soca valley but even though holidays are finished all suitable areas to get in the water and still maitain sight of the bike were already taken so had to make do with just having lunch sitting at a picnic spot by the Soca river. After lunch it was on to ride the Vrisc pass with the cobbled haipin sections , Risked jumping on the autoroute for 12K without a vignette to get quickly to lake Bled. Still quite busy here I continued on to lake Bohinji and there managed to get a nice swim in the lake. As others have said , without the church in the middle Bled would be just another lake. Much nicer at Bohinji. Tip: if thinking swimming here as well take some of those surfing type shoes as lake bed consists if round stones approx 150mm dia and a killer to get in and out with bare feet, ! Had great day hear and finished up in Kranska Gora for the night . Only 185 miles today.
Some random art on side of building
Soca ( pronounced Socha ) Valley x 2
Bled
Vrisc pass.
Oh, and with advice from a local waiter I secured a room on a corridor of eight " second class " rooms , description of the proprieter not mine ,for 32 euros including breakfast. Toilets and showers accross the corridor. And as a brucie bonus was the only one there. No bathroom photos of this place:)
 

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A couple of additional Photos from Day 4. Into Slovenia
Kranjska Gora
The " Interesting " pass SP 42 from Resiutta to Uccea. One to keep the speed avearge down. But well recommended , thanks
And more of them stone piles , this time on the Vrisc pass.
I did notice in KG as is usual in most resorts if a bar happens to have a sign or banner outside it with mention of " Harley Davidson " you can be sure that inside there is nothing resembling any bike at all. But the music will be a tad louder and the drinks more a lot more expensive.
Anyone to embarrased to ask me on here where I found accomadation at 32 euro with breakfast please feel free to PM me ;)
 

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Day 5 Slovenia
Spent this day revisiting the Soca valley, Vrisc pass and up to the the Mangart. The MAngart pass has a toll half way up and is €5 to get to the top where the best views are to be had. It really is worth it.Its a loop and you come down the same way you go up,\. A It was a Saturday when I went it was very busy at the top with walkers.
From the top looking north you can see the Lake Predil Italy which is where I headed next along, yes , the Predil pass.
Had a spot of lunch at cafe next to lake and set of f again this tie ending up going East on SS13 and North on the SP110 Nassfield through into Austria and working my way to the Nockalm strasse. Diddnt get to the NS until around 16:45 and by then the gate was open but the toll both wasn't manned, bonus. Rode the Nockalm virtually alone other that the odd other bike comming the other way. Oh and noticed the Cattle grid that I had not recalled before. ! At the junction Innerkrems decided that I was enjoying the ride so much that I turned right and rode another thirty / forty mins direction Sankt Margerethen. Brilliant riding last part completely alone. Next village came accross sign " Grizzlys" Bikers hotel. A couple of hundred yards and I was in front of what I now know to be a chain of top notch posh biker hotels complete with Wellness suite and that type of thing. One look around in reception at the suffed grizzly etc and I knew a bit rich for me. Move on. Find nice hotel five mins away with nothing more than a couple of stuffed Marmots on the staircase and a few dear skulls on the wall in breakfast room .
230 miles today.
 

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Day 6
Started day and rode over to start th Grossglockner pass . €26.50 the toll this year. I am sure I heard recently it was the most expensive toll stretch of road in Europe, I imagine at euro to mile thats its true. I think the last time I was there it was €19 Couple of hard core biker types, patches and laced up leather jeans types. him and her on their own bikes in front of me at the Toll both . One of them dropped the small sticker that is given to you in your little tourist memrobilia leaflet they give you. As I pulled up I bent down and piked it up with the intention of passing it to then as they had pulled over just ahead to put stuff away and put gloves back on. As I paid my toll the lady handed me the info leaflet but no sticker, when I asked her abouth this she said she had jst seen me pick up the one from off the road !! After I let her know what I had intended to do and seriously shamed the jobsworth she reluctantly gave me another one ! In the meantime the guys who dropped it set off up the road. So anyone wants a GG sticker, Pm me :) Anyway it was now Sunday and as with the rest of my trip the temperature was in the twentes and there was not a cloud in the sky which meant quite a few people taking advantage of this Porsche & Lambo's everywhere probally wishing they were on bikes:confused: as they were continualy overtaken when stuck behind slower moving veichles. Stayed on the road until late afternoon and at the Pasterze, talked to the only other british couple I had met all trip. Couple from Cumbria on a Super 10. Coincidently they were heading for Bohinji in Slovenia. Did the usual Bikers point, rammed with cars. Small group of riders at the top sporting " Milf Rider patches and riding some small CC iron, one of which had quite a novel seat cover that would distress some and definately did not come from any Powerparts catalogue. Was seriously impressed until as I was leaving the Glacier saw them loading the bikes into back of van.
Never can have enough of riding the Grossglockner but late afternoon I decided to ride to Bischofshofen so I could ride on the Dienten Stattel to Saalfelden, because I could and like that stretch of road.
Ended the day staying in a nice hotel center of Lofer . Hotel Dankl, very nice , white leather furniture in the room, breakfast buffet that that I could have stayed all day at IIRC €60.
235 miles today
 

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Couple more gratuitus Grossglock photos including one I would like to forward to that right anoying Greta thumbberg.
Not sure but if you know where the cardboard cut out of the policeman stands close to where I took the photo of the double dam / resevoir I heard this year that there is an active speed trap in place there. Talking there with a young German chap who had passed his test only weeks before on a Vespa of some description had treated himself to a nice new X Diavel informed me that although unlikely to be sent a ticket un Uk would be a certianty in Germany. Anyone else with info on this ?
 

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One for the list to think about eh....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It was on my list to. I've done it now, but was somewhat disappointed to find out about the toll booth at the top. Expect to be €14 lighter upon arrival. It was a very busy pass too. Mind you I was up there around 11:00-12:00am The views are far better on the Italian side I think.
 
Fantastic.

Some happy memories.

I was so engrossed in the view on the GL that I left my camera on a rock after doing a self timer photo.

Clown


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