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The Grand Adventure
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The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Read more
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    🇦🇱 Vorë, Albania
    Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Mercedes are everywhere. New and old
    Mercedes are everywhere. New and oldCastle on the hillQuiet backroadNot sure what those straw structures areA friend!

    A ride through the valley

    Yesterday in Albania ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Venture out for coffee and breakfast. Pack up and head south out of town. After a short bit in a big road, spend the rest of the day on small roads winding through the valleys. A few sprinkles and clouds keep it cooler. Nice campground, attached to a resort. Pretty good dinner at their restaurant.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    We camped way down there
    We camped way down thereFreshly pavedAlbania!???Promenade. Rest of town did not look like thisMosque

    Onto Albania

    September 14 in Albania ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    One last day of riding in Montenegro and it’s a doozy. Start with a steep up, but off the big road. Then we join busy road and it’s very sketchy. Added bonus, a tunnel. Lose a bunch of time in Bar trying to find gas. Finally head out of town, up, on a small road. Finally riding gets better as we reach the top and ride along a ridge with new pavement. Nice down into Albania. Quiet 10 miles into Shkoder. Find our hotel and head into town. Quite the touristy section. But pretty. Nice dinner of mezze (small plates).Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Our ferry
    Our ferryBay of KotorOur passage around the tunnelLittle island off the coastSeen from aboveFun town clinging to the hillsidePetrovacLight at sunset

    Along the touristy coast

    September 13 in Montenegro ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Find a nice seaside “road” which takes us almost the the ferry. Just a short hop, across the Bay of Kotor. Traffic seems light (oddly) thus we stick to the main road. Stop for lunch and a swim. Lots of new development that seems to have no sense of place. Do some climbing of course, and finish in nice campground outside of Petrovac. Walk to the beach and then out for dinner. One of our best meals!Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Nice clear morning
    Nice clear morningGo under this big bridgeAlong the inletAnd you to the hillsHuge tree next to very old churchAlmost there

    Hello Montenegro

    September 12 in Montenegro ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Very big storm during the night with lightening all around and heavy rainfall. Still manage to get an early start to try and avoid some Dubrovnik traffic. Head off the big road and ride along a very long inlet to the other side of the hills surrounding the city. Nice quiet roads, with few cars but a lot of figs and grapes. Do quite a bit of climbing but the views are nice and air is better than it has been. Stop outside a church for lunch and then climb up to border with Montenegro. Bit of a wait for both exit and entry points but make it through easily. Though we get bike path for a bit soon find ourselves amongst inconsiderate drivers. Get to our campsite, walk for food and make dinner.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Fishing equipment
    Fishing equipmentVarious ship lightsFun cat and fish paintingA view of the city from the other side

    Dubrovnik: a day of culture

    September 11 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Rain has been threatening for a week. Get ready for it and …. three drops. Head into town. Goal is to use our 3 day pass as much as possible. Go to cultural history museum, maritime museum and art galleries. Take a break at beach before heading back. Seems much more crowded today.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Fortress - some important GoT scenes happened hereCanon ballsInside of Rectors palaceBoating and smallView from our wall walkView from top of hike

    Dubrovnik: a big walking day

    September 10 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Catch an earlyish bus and head up - towards the fortress on the mountain top. Great views all the way up. Dubrovnik has been rebuilt a number of times (earthquake, wars) and has generally withstood the ravages of time. Back down into town and find ourselves amongst a lot of tourists: many from the big cruise ships. Enjoy the fort (even though overrun with Game of Thrones fans), the Rector’s Palace and finally walk the walls. Good day! (10+ miles).Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Still smoky
    Still smokyWalled mountain?Very quiet and remoteSwim spotMain square of Dubrovnik. Middle of clock tower has time tooEven though cruise ships are gone, still lots of peopleBeautiful walls

    Along the coast to Dubrovnik

    September 9 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Ride UP out of our campground (it’s becoming a theme). Quickly come to the town of Ston and an amazing walked city and hillside. Enjoy quiet roads for awhile before hitting the D6 - a very nasty road for cyclists. White knuckle it to Orasac and our campground. Set up, clean up, and catch the bus into Dubrovnik. Wander the alleyways and enjoy the sights. Have an ok dinner, catch some nighttime scenery before heading back.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Morning views
    Morning viewsOh what funGrapes everywhereSo smoky!Kind of Willy Nilly

    Hills + smoke + cars = 🥵

    September 8 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Another climbing day, tight from the start. Unfortunately, new fires are burning making the air horrible. And the road up the side of the mountain is very busy. No bueno. The rest of the ride is still hilly but with less cars and lots of grapes. Stop at a winery before our campground and plunge down to the sea. Big open campground next to the beach.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Walkway along the outside lined with restaurantsOrebicAfternoon beachVery happy cats munching fish

    Korcula island: eastside

    September 7 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Short ride to Korcula Town; a beautifully preserved walled city. Meander the tiny “ streets” trying to catch tidbits from English speaking guides. Back to campground, pick up our stuff and head to a nice sandy beach on the south side. Catch a ferry back to the mainland and town of Orebic. Get a tiny corner camp site.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Under a fig tree
    Under a fig treeLittle tiny islands everywhereA lovely yet smoky viewSerpentine downDon't like this muchA cove at the end of the gravelSo many grapesIt's a valley with hills all aroundCan see the sea in the distanceClimbing up into the rocky hillsHillsides are dotted with little townsSo smoky

    Across Korcula Island

    September 6 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Wake to a very smoky morning. Hard to see the next island which was easily visible yesterday. Lots of ups and downs; mostly on fine pavement with a bit of unpaved. Stop at a nice cove for a swim and then another swim stop for lunch. Ride amongst a lot of vineyards and wineries. Arrive in Korcula town, get food and check into campground. A nice day albeit challenging.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Leaving split behind
    Leaving split behindTown of Vera LukaFun structures sling the beachWater is so clear.Figs, olives and pine

    Mad dash to ferry. And Korcula island

    September 5 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Got ourselves out nice and early to allow lots of extra time to get to ferry in Split. Didn’t realize how rough the “mountain bike route” would be. It involved railroad tracks and a bridge and lots of trips over. Lost a lot of time. Stressed mounted and we couldn’t find the ferry. And then got on and couldn’t work the website. It all worked out but spent the next 3 hours trying to relax. Arrived in Korcula, got food and went up to our lovely campground. Walked to a very nice beach. Dinner watching sunset.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Trojir church
    Trojir churchChurch entrywayTown HallA hidden courtyard. Always have to poke around theseLove those green doorsWalking around the outside of the wallsBig boats. Nice way to travel I imagineFortress at the end of islandOdd bridge with netting. Saw people doing this so Doug tried it outUgh. Smile

    Trojir

    September 4 in Croatia ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Catch the bus the other way to visit another medieval town - Trojir. It’s a compact, walled city. Although there are alot of people, one can easily find a quiet alleyway. Croatian history is quite interesting as this region has been under the rule of so many others over time. Even up until very recently. Get some beach time in back at Kastela. Out for ok pizza.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Sunrise
    SunriseHeading up into the hillsChurch and cemetery amongst cypress treesBikes taking a rest by the seaLunch viewOutside the walls of SplitChurch tower inside the wallsNot sure what these guys weee doingThese pavers are very slipperySplit night scenesThey were getting ready for a performance

    A hilly route to Split

    September 3 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    A big hill awaits us (i recall it from last time). We slowly make our way up into the hills and ride along the ridge line. More fun gravel as well. Nice descent back to the sea where we stop for lunch and a swim. Return to tiny campground in Kastela. Set up and catch a bus into Split. Lots of people yet quite beautiful. Have some dinner and gelato before catching the bus back.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Lake Varda in the background
    Lake Varda in the backgroundNice path along the lakeDeterioratesHeading back to the sea4 years ago attempted to stay dry under a tableAnd then we moved into a porta pottySeaside townFun bridgeWater clock. Spouts instead of handsŠibenik wanderingCeiling of a churchVery different style of church artGrand cathedral

    Šibenik and beyond

    September 2 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Continuing our way down the coast. Another repeat from 4 years ago, though back then it stormed on us. Today was hot and dry. Had a few rough patches of gravel but it kept us off big road. Stop in Šibenik and check out the medieval town. Get some food and continue to rather large campground on the sea. Fortunately we get a nice site with a view.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Very calm. A few hours later it was blowing
    Very calm. A few hours later it was blowingOur spotBikes on the ferryCan still see big mountains in the distanceLarge estate on its own islandToo hot for the topPretty church in squareYumAnd of course the train

    Chilling by the sea

    September 1 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Spend most of the day hanging out in our little bay. Ride a few miles to the ferry and then a bit more to campground on the hill above Pakoštane. After dinner stroll along the promenade into town for gelato. Quite the hopping town.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Sunrise over the Velebit mountains
    Sunrise over the Velebit mountainsLittle island off of UglijanLots of ferry boatsNice reddish roofs everywhereThis is more like it!OlivesFigsOur viewCouldn't really capture the color of the moon

    2 more islands …. Another repeat

    August 31 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Relatively bug up to start the day. Back on busy road. Really not loving these coastal Croatian roads. Make it to Zadar, do a few errands and head to ferry. Easily catch one to island of Ugjlan. Quiet little island that crosses via bridge to the next one (Pasman). Enjoy the quiet and full fig trees. As opposed to last time when we just road through, stop in town of Pasman and camp. Great view from our campsite.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Not sure if that's a road. But fun patterns
    Not sure if that's a road. But fun patternsDidn't spot any turtles but felt a bit like oneSalt mining?Bridge off the islandThere's a zip line there. Didn't do itOur beachNice old structures

    Across Pag to Razanac

    August 30 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Attempt to get an early start but the 5 minute walks to the bathroom eat up time. It’s already pretty toasty as we set off on the busy main road. Sunday morning and people must be heading home. Unfortunately, our route off the road seems to have a detour. Find a few other ways off the big road. Stop for a quick swim at a little town. Riding seems quite challenging today. Cross the bridge back to the mainland and make our way to Razanac. Find a nice campground and hit the beach. Out for an ok dinner.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Morning skies are clearer
    Morning skies are clearerVery green hillsAnd the limestoneThe AdriaticA monument in honor of building the roadQuite the road it isTad bit tight on the cornersGetting bluer as we get closerOur beachFerry boat

    To the Adriatic and a return to Pag island

    August 29 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Big climb through the Velebit mountains. Reasonable grade and skies are cloudy keeping it cooler. Relatively nice views from the top. Very nice descent, along a serpentine road with few cars. Skies clear as we get down. Get food and find a little beach to have our first swim in the Adriatic. A littler cooler than expected but fresh cold water is mixed in with sea. Shortish ride on busy road with another up ( going to be a theme) and then go screaming down to the ferry. Short ride to Pag and return to same, huge, campground we had been at 4 years ago (no idea why we came in the first place — very expensive). Ride to get dinner. End up eating in the dark as days are getting very noticeably shorter.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Surrounded by hills
    Surrounded by hillsHaven't seen too many of theseA memorial of sortsView from our campground of Velebit mountains

    Gospić

    August 28 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Opt for a longer but safer route towards the south. First hill goes fine but are joined by a dog on the second hill. Her manages to keep pace all the way up but mange to shake home on the descent. Arrive in town Gospić, and manage to lose about 2 hours in acquiring (and eating) food. Ride the last 6 miles to the adventure camp,and towards the big hills which are a bit obscured with smoke. Hit the little swimming pool before even setting up. Relax a bit and watch for the moon rise.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Little boats to shuttle across lakes
    Little boats to shuttle across lakes22 km of these boardwalksLots of pike and troutOur lunch view1I don't eben know what that color is called. Teal?1View from scenic lookout

    Plitvicka Lakes: Day 1

    August 26 in Croatia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Start our day with a very hearty breakfast, part of our inclusive package. Catch the bus to Plitvicka Lakes NP and choose our route they do try amd keep everyone going along these routes but we found ourselves veering off and winding up going the wrong way. Regardless, the lakes are a beautiful series of brilliant blue water. They range in elevation, in part creating the waterfalls. So tempting to go go swimming but it’s not allowed (understandably). Tour all of the northern lakes and finish with a little boat ride and shuttle to get a glimpse of the southern portion. Back on the bus to our campsite.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    First view of falls. Lots of dead leaves
    First view of falls. Lots of dead leavesMountain next to us

    Yes, even I f*”* up sometimes

    August 25 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Wake up and rain is threatening. Thankfully, get everything under cover before it starts. Pack up and head out after it seems to have stopped. On,y 15 miles to next campground, passing by Plitvice Park where will begin exploring later in the day. Very sketchy ride; between no shoulder, continuous hill climbing and darkish conditions are very glad to make it campground intact. About to head off to park when I realize I left the lock at the last campground. No consistent buses and though he tries, Doug is unable to find a ride. He gallantly gets on his bike and rides back to fetch it. I make dinner and feel very annoyed with myself.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Tricked out cars in the background
    Tricked out cars in the backgroundClimbing above neighboring hillsVery peacefulThat might be BosniaIt was pretty hot

    The green hills of Croatia

    August 24 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    A shorter day planned, but quite hilly. The “racers” leave at varying times causing us no problems. Zoom down to town and get some breakfast. Spend most of the day on very quiet roads, amongst the green hills. Get very close to Bosnia Herznegovia (can see checkpoint) but continue onward in Croatia. Last miles are on a fast and sketchy road but land at our campground intact. Very touristy here as next to Plitvicka Lakes.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Cute artwork along the river
    Cute artwork along the riverGreenest car have seen in awhileTad bit hilly

    Easier travels southward

    August 23 in Croatia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Time to head out of Zagreb. Our hostess sends us off with a shot of Raki. Good cycleways out of the city and then mostly quiet roads into the green hills. Climb up to our very quiet campground, only to be invaded by GumiBalkan rally drivers; an odd little road race. Many Czechs sharing our quiet forest.Read more