Tuši

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Friday, June 06, 2025

16822

Slovenia: With Pony Bikes to Bovec, Edition 2025


In 2025, I set off for Bovec on a Pony bike for the third time. Just like last year, Puhar was my partner in crime for the journey. After the obligatory morning shot of schnapps, we rolled towards Bled, where a mandatory photo session by the lake was, of course, part of the plan. From there, we continued towards Bohinjska Bistrica along the new cycling route. Well, at least along the parts that had actually been completed. Several sections were still under construction, forcing us to carry our Ponies over gravel piles, construction areas and unfinished stretches. It was not exactly what the project planners had in mind, but it certainly added a little adventure to the day. Having carefully studied the train timetable, we were convinced that our timing was perfect. With confidence that only two Pony riders can have, we entered the Bohinj railway tunnel, expecting a smooth ride through to the other side of the Bohinj mountains. Unfortunately, we soon discovered that Slovenian trains and published timetables do not always share the same understanding of time. Before long, we found ourselves facing an approaching train inside the tunnel. Fortunately, the engineers who built the Bohinj Tunnel in 1904 had the foresight to make it wide enough for two tracks, even though only one was ever installed. Thanks to that bit of forward thinking, stepping aside and letting the train pass turned out to be much easier than panicking. A few kilometres later, a literal light at the end of the tunnel in Podbrdo finally appeared. Emerging into daylight looking like a pair of chimney sweeps, we stopped for the obligatory cleanup before continuing on our way. By the time we reached Most na Soči, we had caught up with our friends, who had chosen a two-day route over Petrovo Brdo. From there, the road followed the emerald-green Soča River upstream, taking us through one spectacular view after another until Bovec finally appeared before us - Garmin Connect. After setting up camp at Camp Liza, the bicycles were parked for the day, the "first" drinks were opened, and the traditional process of solving the world's problems could begin. The ride to Bovec was behind us, but the weekend was only getting started.

Previous Pony rides to Bovec: 2024 (Day 1 - 16452 and Day 2 - 16453), 2022 (Day1 - 15722, Day2 - 15723, Day3 - 15724 and Day4 - 15725)

It's 5 a.m. in the morning.

 
2 Pony riders in Bled.

Morning tranquility.

When the Bohinj Line was opened, the tunnel was 6339 meters long, but today it is 12 meters shorter because in 1945 German troops detonated the northern entrance while withdrawing.

 
Smoke was coming out of the tunnel, so we assumed that the train has just left. So wrong.

The light was getting smaller and smaller.

There is plenty of water inside.

Our rides Pony bikes were quite shaken due to the rough surface.

Light at the end in Podbrdo.

Puhar and Tuši.

The local guy in Podbrdo, who convinced Puhar, that the ride through the tunnel is doable. He didn't believe me.

Meeting the rest of the gang in Most na Soči.

From Tolmin towards Kobarid.

A wheelie in front of the Church of St. Bricius near Volarje, one of the oldest and most beautiful medieval churches in the Soča Valley.

 
Making our way across the Soča River via Napoleon's Bridge before continuing towards Bovec.

 
Assembly point.

Last big climb.

 
Before the final push, where 125 kilometers were behind us.

Geocache found:
- Bohinjski predor / Bohinj tunnel, GC327H2, that received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8

#geocaching #Pony #cycling #guysonly

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