Skip to main content

Stage 9 – Bad Gastein to Villach 95km (18-May-2015)


A long day in the saddle today; bitterly cold with a constant drizzle that only Europe can serve up. Not quite what I had in mind on my birthday but worth it all the same. That old adage, what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger…. you learn a lot about yourself on days like this.
I was the first one at breakfast, stuck to my routine of making sandwiches to take with me along with some snacks, and then have a leisurely breakfast.
First up was a 5km ride to Böckstein, in bitterly cold weather, all uphill of course to grab the train that takes cars, motorbikes and bicycles through the Tauern tunnel to Mallnitz; departs 20 past the hour. Took the opportunity to get take some photos and one taken off me at the station.

On arrival at Mallnitz, it’s all downhill, starting with a steep descent of approximately 500m through a long and winding road; hope these 2 photos capture the scenery which was quite breathtaking as most of Austria is. 

By the time I got down, the drizzle had settled in and now it was just a grind, with occasional stops to talk to Ursula and read the many birthday wishes from family and friends. The route R1 which is clearly signposted all the way to Villach is clearly signposted
is one of the best bike paths that I have experienced; just a shame about the weather. It runs through the valley with steep mountains on either side, today mostly covered with low clouds. After about 54km, the R1 runs parallel to the River Drau until you get into Villach where I am staying in a lovely guesthouse.



For dinner went across the road to a Pizzaria where I had a Risotto Funghi washed down with the holy water of course. I asked the young lady serving me if they had any cakes, as I wanted to celebrate my birthday. She said that they didn’t and the next I know after dinner is a lovely surprise as can been seen in the photo below.
Don’t know what tomorrow will bring; am riding to Italy first before entering Slovenia.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stage 3 - Seeon Seebrook to Salzburg - 60km (03-May-2019)

It’s wet and cold; at home, neither would I go for a ride nor play golf in these conditions but here, I have to soldier on.  And soldier on, I did, on near perfect bike paths most of the way, sometime through the countryside, sometime parallel to the B roads as I made way towards Salzburg. Not many photo taking opportunities until I got to Traunstein, where the town square was alive with market vendors and town folks. There was an orderly queue outside one of the stalls selling fresh Spargle (Asparagus), a seasonal delicacy, which I am partial to as well. I got talking to a lady there as you do; who was kind enough to tell me more about the town’s history and why she believed it was god’s own place for her and offered to take this mug shot of mine for prosperity to remember her beloved town. Got lost trying to get out of town; my Garmin doesn’t acknowledge road works which was blocking my route so ended up asking another young lady on how I could cross...
1 comment
Read more

Stage 12 - Bled to Ljubljana - 62km (21-May-2019)

Didn't sleep well last night and waking up to a rainy day with grey skies was not ideal. Looking on the bright side, it wasn't cold. Never thought I would say 11 degrees as not cold but thats what it was. Max (from Austria), the guy I met yesterday; we briefly discussed what challenges lay in front of us and how best to dress for it on our respective bikes, him on motor bike and me on my pushy. After a fond farewell, Max was the first to leave with me half an hour later by which time the rain had ceased but the roads were pretty wet with patches of pooled water, just what a cyclists doesn't need. I was very mindful riding out of Bled doing best to avoid car/bus/trucks spray and the occasional splash of water from the water pooled on the roads. Captured this photo which hopefully depicts what my day looked like making my way out of Bled. Mainly on bike paths and occasionally on minor roads through small villages which by now were coming alive with cars and people about ma...
Post a Comment
Read more

Stage 15 - Gouda to Haarlem 65km (24-Jun-2019)

Back in the saddle after a couple of lovely sunny days in charming Maastricht with our daughter Jessie who flew in from London. Hadn't seen her since she left Sydney early February. Today's route created by my mate, Ellwood was beautiful and going through Leiden made it that much more special. After a quick breakie, we hit the road around 9am on a lovely warm day, trusting that we would get into the cycling rhythm after Maastricht. You can't help but get into the rhythm with the sun on your back and bike paths, smooth as, along canals/dikes or flower beds and it didn't take us long. The cycling infrastructure is second to none here and long may it continue. The Dutch take full advantage of it, as one sees people of all ages, from young toddlers to grandpa's and grandma's cycling. Moving along, we rode into Leiden; it was that time of the day when Ursi needed her morning fix of decaf coffee. just as well for 2 reasons, one, it was t...
Post a Comment
Read more