Slovenia, part one // flying into Ljubljana was a wake up call. I knew Slovenia was mountainous but I was blown away at the peaks surrounding the capitol. I met up with Jesse and Jackie at the hotel and built my bike as they regaled me with their impressions of Ljubljana. My impression: all the charm of more famous Western European cities and a fraction of the crowds. We poked around a medieval castle and ate locally grown cuisine. We met up with local legend Tine and explored a local trail system that isn’t really on any apps. Unfortunately, Jesse’s bike was the victim of understaffed airports amidst a revenge travel boom and never showed up.
Like a friendship formed amidst the chaos of a race, Jackie and I ended up riding out as scheduled while Jesse sorted his bike situation out. Slovenia is absolutely beautiful. It reminds me very much of New Zealand. I was bowled over as we cruised along roads and trails to our destination for the day at Lake Bled. Despite my best efforts to take it easy, I made a race day mistake and ran out of water and blood glucose. At the same time we had to navigate a vague goat trail that was just enough to grind out the last bit of pep I had.
Fortunately we stumbled on a cafe shortly after. A few Cokes and a Texas sized plate of French fries gave me the energy I needed to reach Bled. We met a couple of Brits riding the West Loop (which we were using for a couple days). I did not envy their tire choices 😬
Bled was like a resort town. It reminded me of rolling out of the wilderness and into Lake Tahoe. It was a shock to the system, even more than the refreshing dive into the crystal clear waters. I don’t blame any of the tourists—the lake and setting is straight out of a story book. We navigated intense car and people traffic and poor cell service to find Jesse who’d joined by bus. Still no bike for our dude 😔
We spent the night in a glorified hostel. In the morning we rolled down to the lake for breakfast before an incredibly stunning ride into Triglav National Park the next day. This was also the last night I remember where I was the quietest sleeper…
//
#adventurecompetitively #nwcompetitive