16899

Slovenia: MTB - Planina Planinca - Poljška planina - Smokuški vrh

With the holiday season coming to an end, a strong turnout returned to our regular Thursday ride. Ten riders gathered in Begunje na Gorenjskem, ready for another day in the mountains.

We started by riding through the beautiful Draga Valley towards Planina Planinca, where our friend Šurjak welcomed us with refreshments. After a well-earned break and some time to refuel and relax, we continued our journey past Poljška planina and on towards the junction below Smokuški vrh.

With plenty of time left, we decided to continue all the way to Smokuški vrh. As the trail became steeper near the summit, some riders left their bikes below the top and completed the final section on foot, while others pushed their bikes all the way to the summit. In the end, we all reached the top together and were rewarded with beautiful views before heading back down to the valley - Garmin Connect.

Another excellent Thursday ride, combining great company, mountain scenery, and a few extra metres of elevation for those willing to push their bikes all the way to the top.

 

Through the Draga valley.

 

Mountain biking and homemade treats, a perfect combination.

Participants: Aleš, Tuši, Aleš, Rokly, Manca, Nada, Andreja, Mateja, Jerneja and Nina.

 

Some sections were a little more difficult.

 

Nice single trail through the forest.

 

Some walked, some pushed, everyone reached the summit.

Me and Black Mamba on Smokuški vrh, 1122 m.

View towards Lake Bled.

Ljubljana Basin.

 

After capturing the moment with a group photo, it was time to start our descent back into the valley.

 

The hard work was done. From here, it was all downhill.

 

Flat before the end, but we quickly fixed it.

#MTB #Guide #KamnikSavinjaAlps #Karawanks

16896

Slovenia: Ride to work

Every now and then, I ride my bike to work, but it is quite rare that Nada and I manage to meet somewhere along the way. That was exactly what happened today. We met in Podbrezje and continued together to Bistrica pri Tržiču - Garmin Connect.

 

The benefits of riding behind: less wind, more photos.

#roadcycling

16894

Croatia / Slovenia: The Road Home Is Never Straight

In the morning, we tidied up the cottage, packed our gear, and began our journey home. At least, that was the original plan.

As usual, the direct route home never seemed like the most interesting option. Instead, we followed a collection of winding back roads and added a few extra curves to the day. One detour turned into a rather significant one, taking us across the beautiful hills of the Gorjanci range.

Around lunchtime, we reached the small village of Šiljki, where we stopped to visit Nada's relatives. Their warm welcome and a delicious home-cooked lunch provided the perfect break from the ride and a chance to enjoy some good company before continuing our journey.

Refreshed and back in the saddle, we carried on towards home, making the most of the final hours of our motorcycle weekend. What was supposed to be a simple ride back once again became an adventure of its own.

By the time we finally rolled into the driveway, nearly 300 kilometres had been added to the odometer. Not bad for a day that was only supposed to be the ride home.

 

Time to go home.

The shortest route was never really an option.

Geocache found:

- Luka, GCAM1B8, that received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8

#motorbike #HrvatskoZagorje #geocaching #Gorjanci

16893

Croatia: Riding in Hrvatsko Zagorje

Since yesterday's motorcycle ride was quite a long one, Nada and I decided to take it a little easier today and enjoy a shorter tour through the rolling hills of Hrvatsko Zagorje. The day was all about relaxed riding, quiet country roads and picturesque villages. Along the way, we also made a brief stop at the Monument to the Croatian Anthem, a landmark dedicated to the patriotic song "Lijepa naša domovino", which was first performed in this region.

Easy riding.

Chillin'.

Geocache found:

- Lijepa naša domovino, GCBAZDG, that received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8

#motorbike #HrvatskoZagorje #geocaching

16892

Croatia / Slovenia / Hungary: Slovenia's Easternmost Point

Today was all about the ride. The destination was Slovenia's easternmost point, a remote corner where the borders of Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary come together. Of course, we took the long way around, exploring roads on all three sides of the border and collecting more than 300 kilometres before returning to our base in Hrvatsko Zagorje.

Riding along the Ledava border river.

Not the best bikes motorbikes for this adventure.

Too early to smile like that, we still need to go back.

The meeting point of the Ledava and Kerka (Krka) rivers, near the tripoint of Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary.

The quiet Ledava may not be one of Slovenia's famous rivers, but it is the largest river of the Goričko region and accompanies travellers all the way to the country's easternmost edge.

Unlike many famous landmarks, Slovenia's easternmost point is hidden deep within the forests of Murska Šuma. There are no crowds, no ticket offices and no souvenir shops, just rivers, woodland and a quiet corner where three countries meet.

 

Off-roading again.

 

Huge lunch in Lenti.

Exploring the remote borderlands where Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary meet.

Geocaches found (all received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8):

- Crkva Svetog Vida u Vidovcu, GC6MB05

- Slo_E, Multi, GC27W8H

#motorbike #HrvatskoZagorje #geocaching

16891

Slovenia / Croatia: Riding to Hrvatsko Zagorje

Sometimes the best motorcycle trips begin with the simplest plan. This weekend, Nada and I headed for our weekend retreat in Hrvatsko Zagorje, which served as our base for two days of riding.

Day one started with a morning commute to Ljubljana aboard the Blue Horse, my trusty Yamaha FZ6 S2. After work, I left the main roads behind and followed a network of winding country roads towards Hrvatsko Zagorje. By late afternoon, Nada and I were reunited at the cottage.

A quick lawn mowing session was the last task of the day before we could finally relax and look forward to a full weekend on two wheels. The adventure had only just begun.

 

Thunder and Blue Horse.

Ride - day 1.

 

Best to get the important work done on the very first day.

#motorbike #HrvatskoZagorje

16886

Slovenia / Austria: Lokovnikov Grintovec - Hajnžev Praprotnik

Nada dropped us (Bronco and me) off at the last bend before the Ljubelj border crossing early in the morning, and from there we set off on foot towards Planina Korošica. Upon reaching the mountain pasture, we continued directly towards the border ridge and then on to Dovjak Saddle, where we chose the route leading to Lokovnikov Grintovec.

After a short break at the summit, we returned to the saddle and followed trail 650 for a while. However, we soon left the marked route behind, determined to visit Hajnžev Praprotnik, a peak neither of us had climbed before. Despite being rarely visited, it proved to be an excellent viewpoint, offering impressive views of Košuta and the surrounding mountains.

By then, the heat was already making its presence felt, so we took advantage of a patch of shade for a well-earned rest before continuing. A short descent followed, and then the final climb to Hajnževo sedlo saddle. With that ascent behind us, the hardest part of the day was over.

On the way back, we made one last stop at Planina Korošica for traditional žganci and sour milk, the perfect reward after a long day in the mountains (Garmin Connect). Another beautiful hike, great views, and good company made for a successful day in the Karawanks.

View to Košutica from Dovjak Saddle.

Top of Lokovnikov Grintovec, 1809 m.

Tuši and Bronco.

View from the summit to Košutica and Veliki vrh.

Looking across the Karawanks towards some of its iconic two-thousand-metre summits.

Hajnžev Praprotnik rewarded us with fine views of Košutica, Dovjak Saddle, and Lokovnikov Grintovec, the summit we had conquered earlier in the day.

Although already tired, Bronco still managed to find enough energy to chase after wildlife.

 

A well-earned rest in the shade gave us the energy we needed for the rest of the hike.

Hajnžev Praprotnik, 1727 m.

 

The dog-day heat was hard on all of us, but Bronco handled it the best. A quick rest in the shade, followed by a refreshing dip in a muddy puddle.

 

Last climb of the day to Hajnževo sedlo saddle.

Finally reaching Planina Korošica, where žganci and sour milk were waiting for us.

Traditional mountain food.

Geocache found:

- Zeller Prapotnik (1727m), GCA9W80, that received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8

#hiking #mountains #Karawanks #geocaching #CatahoulaLeopardDog