Another Rainy Day, Kropa, Bled, Bohinj, then a Rest Day
Ride - Day 6, Zgorjne Jezersko, Slovenia to Ribcev Laz (Bohinj Jezero), Slovenia
Approximately 45.3km (28.0 miles)
The swoosh of car tires rushing through water was the first sound I noticed on waking up this Wed. morning. The second was the patter of rain against the window. I dragged myself from my bed to the window to notice a steady downpour was coming down with no sign of easing up in any direction. And there was a distinct chill in the alpine air.
Today's ride was to be broken in two with a van transfer to avoid some busy roads at lunch and an optional extension at the end for a total of 41 miles if we rode the entire way. Nobody was too enthused to ride in the current weather conditions however.
Our trip took us down the Kokra river. On a nice day it would have been a fun quick ride downhill on a road along a fast flowing alpine river. As it was in the rain (and even without any sharp switchbacks) it would have been a moderately technical descent in some not very good conditions. All in all it was the right decision not to ride.
We arrived at Kropa before our museum tour was to take place, so we tried to warm up with coffee/cocoa/tea at a local pub that would also serve as our lunchtime locale after the museum tour. We toured the ironworks museum (see separate review), had our lunch, and the rain had at least eased off enough to ride.
In Bled (a definite tourist town) we rode a slow circuit around the lake, enjoying the views of the Church of the Assumption on the island and of Castle Bled up on the overlook. It would have been interesting to visit the church and some of the other sites, but the rain was coming and everyone wanted to finish the optional portion of the ride to Bohinj Jezero. Besides there were no vendors out renting boats on a day as wet and raw as this one (and not many other people out looking to make the short ride across).
So we continued on along the Sava Bohinjka River towards Ribcev Laz. It was a pretty motivated bunch as the rain did indeed start again. Not as bad as the rain in the morning, but wet enough that everyone kept pedaling towards our destination. On a clear day I could only imagine the views we would have had looking in to Triglav National Park and the Julian Alps as we rode through the valley. But the camera had been put away and would not come out the rest of the day due to the rainy conditions.
We reached Bohinj Jezero and the town of Ribcev Laz. A little more laid back then Bled but still noticeably more touristy than any place we had stayed at yet (but that was to be expected as we were in Triglav National Park).
Day 7 - Rest Day
Thursday was our rest day, no biking today. So instead, I went out with Jeff and Carrie on a 8-10 mile hike. Our trek would take us up through the Mostnica River gorge for a mile or two before opening up into the Voje Valley. Passing through the entire valley (populated with many mountain huts) we reached Slap Mostnica a fabulous waterfall that fell from the mountains above us. Seeing that we weren't much prepared for further adventuring (not even maps) we headed back down the same way we came after viewing the falls for a while.
The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent enjoying some further relaxing activities, additional libations, and prepping for the next days ride.
Random Observations:
- Buckwheat Omelets in Kropa (several people tried, I did not)
- One of Bled's expensive hotels was the former guest-house of Grand-Marshall Tito during the days of the Yugoslav Republic.
- Bled was definitely the most touristy place visited on the trip (although on the afternoon we were biking through town, there weren't manner tourists out and about)
- Swimming in the heated swimming pool.
- Ping-pong games
- Internet Access for the first time in a over a week (almost wished that that wasn't available)
- Finally a chance to do some laundry...
- Pizza for lunch (getting close to Italy)
- Steve's stories at dinner.
