The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Slovenia's Heart, Julian Alps Adriatic Coast

August 29th to September 12th

Ride Director: Lucy Glover
Ride Co-Director: Randy Glover
Ride Driver: Josh Shade
Report by: Arleen Sakamoto

From the moment you click “Send the Ride Leader a request to participate,” (act fast!)
on the BAC site to get accepted, you will learn so much. First, try to say Ljubljana, the
capital city of Slovenia and location for the tour’s start and finish. Then look at a map
of Europe to find the country. Slovenia, the size of Massachusetts, is situated adjacent
to Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, owning a piece of coast on the Adriatic Sea.
Characteristic of our legendary leaders, Lucy & Randy Glover, is to look forward to
several 2-night stay overs during the tour. For the option day there are suggested rides
and recommendations for other activities.

In Ljubljana we stayed very near the car-free historic center. Instant bonding in the
garage of the hotel where bikes were being reconstructed led to a group of us joining a
walking tour to get oriented. On the second night together we were already celebrating
a 50th anniversary during social hour.

On our first travel day we passed through a 1000 year old beautifully preserved
medieval city enroute to Slovenia’s oldest resort, the town of Bled. Slovenia’s only
island reigns in the middle of the emerald green Lake Bled. Our hotel was the historical
4-star Vila Bled which at one time served as the summer residence of President Tito
where he hosted numerous official state visits.

Day 3 was an option day for cycling, but not to be missed. It was a loop ride to Lake
Bohinj, the largest natural lake in Slovenia and nearby was a waterfall to explore. The
route passed through Slovenia’s only national park, Triglav NP, named after Triglav, the
highest mountain summit in the country, 9396’. The glacial alpine valley presented to
us a pristine, visually spectacular world of rocky mountains, the Julian Alps.

On a misty morning we head out on quiet, winding roads, through the forest’s serenity,
eventually encountering sweeping mountain views with magnificent rock faces. The
three headed side of Triglav is prominently displayed to us as we roll into Kranjska Gora
on exceptional multi-use pathways. The mountain is a true national symbol of Slovenia
as featured on the national coat of arms and flag. Kranjska Gora, the alpine skiing
World Cup series host, has loads of activities offered.

The next day several of us climbed over into Austria on a passage that has existed
since the 15th century, serving postal carriages of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Until
1990, this road over the Korensko Sedlo pass was the main traffic connection with
Central and Northern Europe. Continuing on, we crossed over into Italy, explored a bit
and ate pizza before looping back into Slovenia to Planika, the world’s largest ski jump
facility where numerous world records have been set. One honorable rider in our group
cycled up the Russian Road (built by Russian prisoners during WW1) which connects
Kranjska Gora with Trenta Valley over the Vrsic mountain pass. It is a 5.4 mile long
climb (24 serpentines) to the top at 5285’, a most respected challenge.

We spent 4 days on the Adriatic Sea, 2 nights in Trieste, Italy and 2 nights in Piran,
Slovenia. The small country borders 46km of the Istrian Peninsula on the Gulf of
Venice. On the option day ride, we had the opportunity to enter Croatia. Many of us
gravitated to the town square of Umag, also on the coast, to enjoy lunch together
outside at a patio cafe.

Leaving the south western most Slovenia, we headed north easterly back to Ljubljana.
Approaching Postojna, we entered the Karst region, dotted with caves and
underground rivers. Several riders detoured from the route on our last riding day to
visit the Postojna Cave where the world’s first underground train ride is provided for a
3.7km journey to experience a natural marvel of a subterranean paradise.
Our team of leaders are to be cherished. Our thoughtful driver, Josh, planted himself
and the van in strategic locations to bestow us with water, tangerines and Snicker bars.
The Glovers, our illustrious leaders, are to be commended for their remarkable planning
and execution.