Hannah Stanley

Hannah Stanley

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Spain 🏍️
Picos to Pyrenees
7 октября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
375miles, 6hours, 4 fuel stops and only 2 red bull cans (albeit the big ones) and we are in the Pyrenees, or just outside it.

What a day?! The weather was scorching as we headed east and it was like riding into a hairdryer but the incredible challenge made it feel brilliant! Each time we stopped, we filled up with fuel, had a red bull or a snack, smoked a cigarette and then jumped back on the bikes. We kept each other going with random chatter through the intercoms and it didn’t get too challenging at any one point.

The fun began when we closed in on our destination! The place I had chosen was a little ancient village just off the beaten track, I wasn’t aware quite how far off it was so when we hit gravel, we were pretty shocked! Sports bikes and gravel aren’t the greatest combo but if Teapot one could go round the world on a gixxer, we could battle a mile of gravel, and ruts! The view after made it all worth it, as the sun went down it painted the sky a glorious pink and we sat by an old church and just took in the peace and quiet. Our hotel for the night is a little bar in the local town where we sank a couple of beers, ate a lovely dinner and said goodnight to a brilliant day!

Good: managing 375 miles and that glorious sunset
Bad: hairdryer weather
Roads: the one into Undués-Pintano (A2602)Читать далее
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Spain 🏍️
Loop: Puerma to Los Barrios de Luna
6 октября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Today was all about the food and the mountains! We took some faster sweepies up into the Parque Natural de Babia y Luna via Villablino. The first part of the route was pretty boring but as soon as we got into the park it was beautiful, we likened it to Norway, the Midwest America and even Wales. The views were out of this world and the roads were easy going and relaxing, which was great because our riding was hard going.

Our lunch stop was the best pizza this side of Naples and all home made before hitting the gorge road back to base. Our final stop was the most eventful with the locals warning us about the bears, the possibility of a rock fall and I even dropped my beautiful BMW! No harm done though thanks to the brilliant crashbungs. Weaving back down the mountain was stunning and we headed back to base for the famous cachopo for an evening meal. We went to bed stuffed and ready to face a long day over to the Pyrenees tomorrow. On to week 2!

Good: beautiful gorge road coming back down from the natural park
Bad: dropping my bike
Roads: CL626, LE481, AS228Читать далее
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Spain 🏍️
Potes to Puerma
5 октября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Our final day in Eastern Picos and a jaunt west over to Puerma for 2 nights and one final hoon around the Picos.

We took inspiration from Teapot One and headed towards Colunga and on to the coast for lunch. As navigator, I took lead for the route and it was amazing! I forgot how incredible it was to be in the front, no one’s lines to follow, no speed to adhere to, just you and the road. Ben and Sean joined us for this last ride, with Sean feeling a little fragile from the night before. We headed back towards Cangas de Onis along the beautiful AS114 and then ventured further west along new roads and some more built up areas. Our final route all together was up over the AS260 stopping at the Mirador del Fitu for a couple of photos before descending to the coastal stop of Lastres for a last lunch and time to head our own ways.

The final few miles were uneventful but we ended up at our beautiful Camino hostel run by Pablo, a very cheerful Spaniard with a love of life.

Good: the epic hoon to Cangas de Onis along the AS114, I really gelled with my bike and totally loved it
Bad: the heat riding around Oviedo in search of vape juice
Roads: N621, AS114, AS260Читать далее
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Spain 🏍️
Loop: Potes to Cervera de Pisuerga
4 октября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Today was a bit of a longer one. Heading out over the mountains towards an epic sports bike road full of long sweeping bends and open corners next to a lake. I had been having doubts about my bike and a rattling noise I thought I could hear, but it seems I was wrong (again). Foolish was on point and I enjoyed every second!

There isn’t much more to say other than the sweeping roads were like mana from heaven and the views included epic overhanging rock strata, canyons worthy of southern France and riding that made me feel like Valentino Rossi. Overall a great day in the Picos!

Good: the P-210 from Cervera de Pisuerga to Velilla del Río Carrión
Bad: getting too hungry and a little jaded
Roads: CA282, CA281, CL627, P215, N621Читать далее
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Spain 🏍️
Loop: Potes to Caín de Valdeón
3 октября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
The day started early, Chez went for a run and I stayed in bed. Dreamy! Yesterdays fun and frolics with Shaun and Ben was set to continue for the day as we decided they could take on the hard duties of navigation and lunch spot picking. As the usual navigator, this was a good start and I was able to just relax and follow someone else. They are quite good at chatting though, so it was also nice to don our biking helmets and get some quiet.

Ben had been here before and so we all sensibly decided to follow him along the popular routes and some that are a little off the beaten track. Some were long, sweepy and fast, whilst others were technical, tight and fearsome. The first section was a climb out towards Riano towards the famous deer statue of the Picos, it’s a must stop spot that all bikers pay tribute too. Then onwards and upwards, literally, to the lesser known bear statue that’s a little way up a single track with eagles circling close above as well as below! After all great climbs comes a descent and so it was that we wound our way down the other side of the mountain and turned off onto the lesser known and more technical passage that would take us to lunch at Caín de Valdeón. A stunning dead end with beautiful views and little restaurants. A perfect hidden gem!

Full from lunch, we headed back out of the valley and round to meet another road that peeled away from Riano back towards the sea. As we approached the main road the clouds that had threatened descended and we tackled the remaining 50miles in some misty fog. Not that it could dampen our spirits!

Roads:N621, LE2703, LE2711, N625, AS114
Good: Caín de Valdeón lunch spot and the beautiful, if slightly scary, road to reach it
Bad: drizzle, but it was warmЧитать далее
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Spain 🏍️
Santander to Potes
2 октября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
After 22 long hours on the ferry, 12 of which Chez and I were fast asleep for, we finally arrived in Santander! The weather was toasty and we were packed in alongside approximately 50 other bikers in the bowels of the ship waiting for all the other vehicles to depart. As bikers, we make the most of it and managed to meet quite a few who were destined for Potes, including Shaun and Ben, a copper from London and a plumber from Bude with a penchant for buying bizarre vehicles (including a double decker bus for £500).

Finally free from the ferry, the four of us headed straight for the twisties and the mountains of the Picos and our final destination for the night in Potes. Of course, we were blessed straight away with brilliant roads, glorious weather and stunning mountain views! Shaun and Ben turned out to decent counterparts to the journey and we went out for some food and a beer before hitting the hay excited for what tomorrow would bring!

Roads: CA180, CA182, CA282, N621
Good: straight into the beauty of the Picos!
Bad: it got a wee bit hot!
Ugly: nothingЧитать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Alençon to Cherbourg (just outside)
20 августа 2022 г., Франция ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Well last night was rather more drunken and rowdy than we were anticipating so today has been rather more slow paced. This morning we left our beautiful apartment in central Alençon to drink coffee, eat pastries and watch the world go by for a couple of hours. The people of France in general are so laid back, friendly and community orientated, it was lovely to see neighbours chatting and friends meeting for breakfast. I really do love France.

Coffee imbibed, we hit the road for our final little ride to just outside Cherbourg, ready for our ferry tomorrow. The trip was relaxed, winding through the countryside of northern France.

Of course we had to stop for our final meal in France and I eyed up all the yummy chocolate things that you can’t get your hands on in England. Only room for a Poulain hot chocolate and an obligatory Tintin!

Now we are at a lovely little gite on a French riding stable, listening to the ducks in the neighbouring field and watching the clouds skid through the sky. It’s beautiful here with acres of fields to walk in, which I did and two friendly dogs who enjoy lounging around and a scratch behind the ears. A lovely way to end our trip.

Earlier I took

HIGHLIGHTS - people watching in Alençon
LOW POINTS - hangover
ROADS - D2 out of AlençonЧитать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Nogent-sur-Seine to Alençon
19 августа 2022 г., Франция ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
300km today, racking up the miles to reach Cherbourg on Sunday and get the ferry home. We left our beautiful little apartment after some coffee (of course) and set out with bums of steel to crack through some miles and it wasn’t so bad.

Our first stop was a beautiful little French village for a coffee next to the towns Mairie. The waiter was very sweet and it was lovely to watch the locals enjoy their mornings together in the sunshine. Their were young kids running around and playing whilst parents and friends watched on as they drank their coffees.

Next stop was a small green next to a church in a nearby hamlet, to have some lunch and rest amongst the trees. We’re really starting to get into this French way of life and relax enough to decompress and gather some energy.

Our final stop for the day was the centre of Alençon and what a night we were in store for! The apartment was astonishing, located right next to the cathedral, with huge windows overlooking the high street. Our host was the owner of a fantastic restaurant, Chez Fano, where he was able to squeeze us in. Our food was incredible! We were very lucky ladies. With just a couple of nights left, we then went in search of a few drinks, which is when we met Elvis and Christophe who took us to Le Toucan, a new bar full of locals where the barman drinks as much as the clientele. We played darts, met some wonderful characters, drank quite a lot and danced our way home in the quiet cobbled streets of Alençon.

HIGHLIGHT - Alençon, the wonderful locals, the apartment, Chez Fano, coffee in the beautiful village, dozing under the trees
LOW POINT - none
ROADS - I can’t rememberЧитать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Black Forest to Nogent-sur-Seine
18 августа 2022 г., Франция ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
After booking our ferry, the challenge was on to charge across France in time for Sunday and so today we hit the road and travelled about 460kms, the most on this trip, through rain and wind. It was a tough day but a good one, with a sense of accomplishment at the end.

The day consisted of tyres worn close to their limit, long straight roads, rain, Burger King, shopping the French way with a cooked poulet and finally a beautiful little gite hidden behind an ugly green gate. Nice shower and crashing out for the night.

HIGHLIGHT - almost 300miles, sense of accomplishment, burger
LOW POINT - seeming receding rain
ROADS - leaving the Black ForestЧитать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Rest Day: Black Forest
17 августа 2022 г., Германия ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Rest day off the bikes today so I took the opportunity to go for a long walk and rest my mind in the woodland of the Black Forest. Dense tree cover and lush undergrowth. It was about 8 miles and up to 850m. Perfect rest day in a beautiful part of the worldЧитать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Lorleswald to the Black Forest
15 августа 2022 г., Германия ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
Relaxed ride in the sun over to the Black Forest today with some lovely sweeping roads and views of the alps in the background.

We said goodbye to the mountains today and began our journey home via the Black Forest, it was a lovely day of sweeping open bends, rolling hills and sunshine. It was sad to say goodbye to the Alps but I know one day we’ll return to this special place.

The Black Forest beckons, but with little tread left and fatigue setting in from months on the road, not to mention the strict speed limits, we’ll be taking it steady from here on out.

England beckons

HIGHLIGHTS - Sweeping roads and beautiful countryside
LOW POINTS - Saying goodbye to the mountains
ROADS -Читать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Rest Day: Neuschwanstein Castle
14 августа 2022 г., Германия ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Day off the bikes today exploring Chez’s favourite fairytale castle on the border with Austria - Neuschwanstein.

It is epic and incredibly beautiful but also quite sad. The architect and monarch during its building, Ludwig II was found drowned under suspicious circumstances the day after he was deposed. Many believe we was murdered along with his physician. It seems he also led quite a reclusive life, often favouring his own company and disassociating himself with his family. It seems he really did live in his own fairytale with many famous saga’s depicted on the walls of the castle including Tristan and Isolde and Sigurd.

It was a brilliant day exploring the area with a nice horse drawn carriage to the top and a chinwag with a Romanian donut seller. It was also nice to have a day of rest from the bikes although maybe not for Chez who had to pillion my ass around, to and from the castle. That was also great fun for me though!

Off again tomorrow and I think we’re going to forgo Switzerland in favour of exploring more of Germany as we haven’t been here before.

HIGHLIGHTS - The whole day
LOW POINTS - Dinner
ROADS - noneЧитать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Temù to Lorleswald
12 августа 2022 г., Австрия ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Eight hours of riding time to travel 250km, a whopping 30kph average! That’s the nature of these roads: the corners, the traffic, the poopy pant moments and the fact you need to stop every time you see some yummy food or pastries.

We started to head north today via a massive sweeping detour to the east and the Dolomites, my favourite mountains! It rained last night so we took it easy and waited for the sun to dry out our tents before packing them down. Obviously this meant more coffee in the shade of the mountains! Last night we met a man called Gio who was fantastic! He had a face straight out of a Pixar cartoon and was quite a funny character. He was introduced to Chez as Bubbles when I attempted to catch her attention and he called after her for me. This morning he set off in search of fishing and we said our goodbyes.

Retracing our steps from yesterday, we headed back up over the Passo de Tonale following the line of the ski lift as it ascended to just over 2000m. Mountain bikes in lieu of snowboards and skis, it’s an extreme sports junkies daydream and obviously for hikers too. Either way it was very busy and full of the hubbub of people trying to get somewhere else.

The surprise of the day was the Mendel Pass! Crikey! What a pass! We have no evidence of it and certainly no photos, it was fast, flowing and undoubtedly stunning. The number of bikers swarming the place highlighted that it might be worth and shot and it was, it was also pretty long and very tiring! Coming down into Bolzano, the roads sweeps down the mountainside and lands in San Michele.

Charging through Bolzano, which is nothing special, we headed out towards the epic Dolomites via the incredible Passo Gardena. Climbing up to about 2200m amongst more chic hotels, mountain bikers and hikers, it borders the Sella Group (Sella Ronda) on its northern side, and cuts underneath some of the towering limestone cliff like faces of these inspiring mountains. The Dolomites are like no other mountain range with sheer walls of white reaching high into the clouds.

The weather had been unpredictable with the mountaintops catching the angry looking rain clouds and finally after many lucky hours we were hit with a monumental thunderstorm. The clouds enclosed the valley in a deep grey, blotting out the sun and making it all feel very close and almost cosy. The rain came with a bolt of lightening just to add even more “epicness”.

Our final destination tonight is a little village on the edge of Austria, with hairpins to reach it, because why not!

Perfect tune for the day - M83 Outro

HIGHLIGHTS - Dolomites ❤️❤️
LOW POINTS - none
ROADS - SS42, SS242, SS243, SS244, SS49Читать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Rest Day: Crocedomini, Brenta and Tonale
11 августа 2022 г., Италия ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
A nice easy day today starting with coffee at our wonderful campsite overlooking the stunning mountains. Then it was off in search of more epic Alpine passes.

First on the cards was the Crocedomini Pass, another one famed for cycling with ultra smooth tarmac and tight switchbacks. It was a smaller, lesser known pass and so was slightly quieter than the ones we visited the day before, with lush fields on either sides, sparse woodland and very cute rural houses. On the way up we were overtaken by three Czech guys on touring bikes who then invited us for a coffee when we got to the top. It was nice to chat to them, they had been travelling for just four days and had travelled an average of 1,200km each day! Beats our 300km on a good day!

Fully replenished we rolled down the other side, taking in the epic views, in search of a rest spot and somewhere to have an afternoon kip. A pine wood was perfect so we relaxed in the shade of their leaves and snoozed fitfully.

Just 2.5hours left to ride and 110km up to Madonna di Campiglio and then around via the Tonale Pass and home. We had experienced bright blue skies and sunshine the entire way around until, with about 40mins to go, the heavens opened and so we dived into a bar in Pellizzano for a cheeky beer and to watch the rain come pouring down. When it rains here, it really does rain! The bar was really quirky with two military motorbikes and sidecars out the front and a wooden shelter draped in all many of vintage farming equipment and tools! Great place to get caught in the rain.

It’s often very hard to describe the beautiful passes and sometimes they can seem to merge into one, so I hope that the photos can do them justice. My words certainly can’t.

HIGHLIGHTS - Views coming down from the Crocedomini Pass, amazing mountains at Madonna di Campiglio, Tonale Pass
LOWPOINTS - none
ROADS - SP345, SP669, SS239Читать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Rest Day: Gavia, Stelvio and Mortirolo
10 августа 2022 г., Италия ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
And so it begins! The hairpins and mountain passes of the Italian Alps, good thing that we woke up fresh faced and bushy tailed.

First one to tackle after an enormous intake of coffee was Gavia Pass, notoriously steep, technical and narrow with life threatening drops on the sides but also some incredible views. We had visited this one in 2019 with the girls so had to replicate some of the photos we had taken the previous year, and of course we took some more too.

Next stop was Stelvio Pass via Bormio for some lunch at a popular spot for bikers in the middle of a junction. Unfortunately, Vex had been making some top end noises so I popped into a little garage to top up her oil and off we went. Both replenished and ready to tackle Stelvio. It wasn’t as busy as the previous year but still as spectacular. Passes ticked off it was time to head back to base camp and a snooze. Just one little surprise pass before we got there: Mortirolo Pass seems to be famous for cycling rather than motorbikes but the views were wonderful nonetheless, even Chez started to enjoy it!

HIGHLIGHTS - Gavia, Stelvio and Mortirolo
LOWPOINTS - none
ROADS - Can’t choose, all of themЧитать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Arzignano to Temù
9 августа 2022 г., Италия ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Fantastic day today and I’m writing this back under canvas in the Italian Alps with a beautiful view of the mountains beyond.

Not many miles covered, but rather scenic routes and a stop at Lake Garda for some lunch in the sunshine. bellisimo! We left our BnB this morning, after a relaxing morning reading with a lush view, with a taster of the Alps and some incredible hairpins winding down through the vineyards of northern Italy. Who knew that we were in wine region?! The BnB has a huge mirror which we obviously took full advantage of before. Then we hit the road riding past Verona unfortunately without stopping due to the heat and being in full biking gear! Never a fun mix! Instead we made a beeline for Lazise on the shores of Lake Garda to drink a glass of wine and eat wonderful salad in the sunshine. It was glorious! Our waiter, Antonio (of course) was full of charm and we’re off to Brazil with him in November.

Full of yummy food we decided to veto the shoreline ride in bad traffic and headed along the Italian highways north to our stop for the next few days. It seems we’re getting rather accustomed to these rest days! The journey north was incredibly entertaining, leap frogging all the traffic like true Italians. Our parents would have had nightmares to see us and the other riders weave through the traffic. It felt brilliant and the Italian drivers are very respectful and often move out the way, maybe they’re just petrified and want us gone as soon as possible!

After a quick stop at the biggest Dainese store that I’ve ever seen, we hit the Alps and set up camp for the night. What a brilliant little campsite! I’m looking forward to the next few days!

HIGHLIGHTS - lunch at Lake Garda, chicken skipping like true Italians, beautiful campsite
LOW POINTS - traffic is 30c heat
ROADS - SS42 (not beautiful but fun!)Читать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Split to Arzignano
8 августа 2022 г., Италия ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Back on the bike today and now in our 11th country of the trip! Our ferry docked this morning at about 8.30 and we all charged off in random chaotic mid direction. Similar to getting on actually.

During the ferry ride we met two other groups of riders, both were Italian and both pretty amazing. There was one couple travelling back from Montenegro on their Tenere and then another husband and wife team each riding their own BMW GS1200 and heading back from a reccie for their tour company Terra Piloti Motori. They are based in Tavullia, which was why we were heading and also Rossi’s village where he grew up. It was lovely to speak to them all and find out about their adventures in broken English.

So onto Italy! Today we rode 340km north up towards Trento and Lake Garda. It got hotter throughout the day so we stopped often for water but it felt good to be back on the bike and getting some miles under our belts. Italy has some very typically Italian views… and drivers! It’s pretty fun to be weaving in and out of traffic and people just moving out of your way, it all feels very efficient!

One stop as mentioned, was Rossi’s hometown, Tavullia, where there was a Yellow Park for kids dedicated to his life and dotted with his mascots and logos. There was also a memorabilia shop for the super fans. It’s a beautiful little place that has been put on the map due to a funny charismatic little Italian with a huge smile and good heart.

340km we’re now at a quirky huge Airbnb in the foothills of the Italian Alps, eating a small dinner of apples, yogurts and madeleine cakes before bed and the wobbly ride into the mountains!

HIGHLIGHTS - the Yellow Park at Tavullia
LOW POINTS - the ferryЧитать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Rest Day: Waiting for the ferry
7 августа 2022 г., Хорватия ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
The boys headed for the plane early in the morning and so we booked our ferry to Italy and headed to the beach for a day of lounging and waiting for our 8pm departure. The days have been stinkingly hot so we decided it would be best hang up our biking gear for the day in favour of bikinis! Chez did some editing and I lay in the sun trying to get as brown as she is!

HIGHLIGHTS - Whiskey Sour in the sun
LOW POINTS - Saying goodbye to the boysЧитать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Rest Day: Split
6 августа 2022 г., Хорватия ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
We spent a relaxing morning drinking coffee with Ante at our local café, first time tasting Cafe Schlagg, I local delicacy which I think replaces milk with a very sweet vanilla like ice cream. It was very yummy so we had two! Ante has been a wonderful host and it was lovely to be able to sit and chat with him about his life in Croatia and beforehand! He’s a fun, smiley and light hearted guy.

Coffee sunk, we headed for the big city: Split, to take in the tourist sights and sounds. It’s really very beautiful. Perhaps not as quintessentially picturesque as Rovinj, but more alive with culture and city life, with street sellers, markets, back streets and the hustle and bustle of delay life. We explored the old quarter of the city until the heat caused our excitement to turn to exhaustion and we slowed down in search of shade.

Ante had suggested we eat at a little restaurant called Corto Maltese and it was incredible, Chez and I shared two platers, one seafood mousse and one cold meats, both were exceptional! Josh and Dunphy both had lamb and mash potato with a kind of jus. I can’t praise it enough!

With Split out of our system, we headed to the beach further south with shade, a small bar and the Adriatic ocean to cool ourselves, the perfect end to the holiday and we managed to get in the water every day!

Josh and Dunphy are due to fly home early tomorrow so it’s an early night with a cup of tea.Читать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Rest Day: Krka National Park
5 августа 2022 г., Хорватия ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
It has been so lovely to see the guys and show them a little piece of our world. Today we woke up slowly with coffee and breakfast and just mooched around the apartment in our underwear, acclimatising to the incredible heat (35c). Come 10.00 we headed off to Krka National Park to explore the waterfalls and lakes and relish the shade.

In our infinite wisdom we decided to forgo the bus in favour of a 900m walk down a hill, realising half way down that we would need to hike back up! Luckily the bus collected us from the bottom!!

Once we had explored all the beautiful lakes we decided we needed to get in one so drove over to a lovely little swimming spot to finally get in the water! It was glorious to just enjoy the cool of the lake and watch the world go by. I think we may have also fallen asleep! Bliss

Back home for one of Chezs famous chicken salads and an early night. It was a lovely day relaxing together in the sunshine and spending some time with our boys.

HIGHLIGHTS - being with the boys, swimming with the swans
LOW POINTS - noneЧитать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Slunj to Obrovac Sinjski
4 августа 2022 г., Хорватия ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
Today, Dunphy and Josh arrived! They both flew into Split Airport at 0930 this morning so Chez and I hit the road early and met them near the AirBnB that we hired for the weekend. They are here for just three days arriving on Thursday morning and flying out again on Sunday, feels like no time at all and Chez and I will be left to our own devices again to head up through Italy and homeward.

For the first day, we met at a little cafe in Obrovac Sinjski for a few beers by the river before meeting our host who took us to our apartment for the weekend. We then hit the road to get to the beach for a swim in the sea and eat some local food.

HIGHLIGHT - Seeing Josh and Dunphy
LOWPOINTS - no aircon in the apartment and 35c heatЧитать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Rest Day: Plitviče Lakes
3 августа 2022 г., Хорватия ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Early start today as we hit the popular tourist destination of Plitviče Lakes before the crowds descended. Being just 30 minutes down the road, we were able to arrive at 7.30, de-robe from our biking gear and join the few other early birds on the beautiful board walks that skirted the lakes and waterfalls. What a tranquil place! Aqua marine pools of clear water, dragonflies and butterflies skittering along the surfaces and curtains of waterfalls descending from grassy banks and woodlands above. The pictures say more about the utter serenity… until the other tourists arrived, at which point it became a cue and jostle for selfies and instasnaps. Of course we were as guilty as the rest!

15,000 steps, 10km, countless waterfalls and almost 6 hours (!) later, we left the lakes in search of an afternoon siesta and the cool of our air conditioned room.

Refreshed from our snooze we packed up our bags and sorted our stuff for another early morning tomorrow, heading south in search of the two other wheels to our troublesome quadruplet! Josh and Dunphy of course!

HIGHLIGHT - Plitvice Lakes
LOW POINT - the crowds of Plitvice, and the price (£70 for two)Читать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Rest day: Slunj
1 августа 2022 г., Хорватия ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Day off the bikes today to explore Rastoke Slunj, a beautiful little village of waterfalls and wooden houses.

We just spent the day meandering in the sunshine, drinking coffee over looking the waterfalls (at a restaurant that sold bear steaks 🐻) and swimming in the river of course! It was very hot and Chezs feet had started to hurt so it was hard going at times but we had a lovely day off the bikes together and slept well that night.

The final place to explore was just along the river where you could swim and bask in the sun on the river bank. Beautiful!!

HIGHLIGHTS - swimming in the river, meandering through the beautiful village
LOW POINTS - the heatЧитать далее
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Fazana to Slunj
31 июля 2022 г., Хорватия ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
We have done 240km today and man did we know it. We’ve obviously got out of the routine of long journeys but the roads didn’t help either. The final road of the day was exhausting with changing surface conditions, blind corners and locals driving in the middle of the road. We both ache a fair amount and were glad to reach our Airbnb which is part of a fast food restaurant, goodbye diet!

We’re both currently sat just outside, drinking beer, listening to bikes ride past (Christ knows where they’re going) and waiting for our burgers.

Overall it’s been a good day. Some of the roads were epic with big sweeping bends, stunning views and a fair few other bikers. We were obviously in the right place! The D3 is definitely one to mention!

For lunch we found ourselves in a vibrant local Croatian place surrounded by locals trying their best to make conversation with us. It was good fun!

Burger demolished, it’s time to relax and get an early night

HIGHLIGHTS - burger, D3, Croatian locals
LOW LIGHTS - final road of the day, locals inability to stay on their side of the road
ROADS - D3 from Soboli to DedinЧитать далее
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Europe ⛺️
Rovinj to Fazana
30 июля 2022 г., Хорватия ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Our wonderful host let us leave the bikes at the Airbnb apartment so we walked into Rovinj to explore the old town, take a dip in the sea and eat some wonderful sea food.

The front was just as beautiful as the evening before with a little more hustle and bustle. We drank coffee on the shore in a swanky little cafe sometimes getting a little wet from the waves splashing against the sea wall.

Caffeined up, we headed for the cobbled streets of Rovinj, which were wonderful, and very easy to get lost in! At the top is the beautiful church of St Euphamia, a huge Catholic Church with sweeping vistas of the Mediterranean and small town below. We both lit a candle for loved ones and sat in the shade before descending the hill in search of food.

On the menu? Fish, of course! I had seabass and Chez had squid and it was very good! I think Chez even took a photo as she is want to do!

We finished the day off with a dip in the incredibly salty Mediterranean and then went off to grab the bikes and attempt to find somewhere to stay.

What with the raging wild fires recently, we had made the decision to do a few Airbnbs but they are hard to find in Croatia and so we ended up further down the coast at a little spot called Fazana. Looking forward to a longer day tomorrow as we head to our base inland and can dump all our bags for a few days!

HIGHLIGHTS - cobbled streets of Rovinj, sea food, swimming in the Mediterranean
LOW POINTS - stress of not finding anywhere to kip
ROADS - none of noteЧитать далее
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Bovec to Rovinj
29 июля 2022 г., Хорватия ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
We hit the road today in search of sunshine and quieter campsites and Croatia of course! The camp we had been staying at was busy and slightly chaotic so we decamped and hit the road.

We said goodbye to the mountains of the passed few days and headed for the Mediterranean coastline for some sun and boy did we get it.

It was a short day on the road but felt long with sweltering temperatures, Chez thinks it was about 33c and I think it was 50c 🥵😂

We arrived at our little Airbnb early and instantly took showers, Chez then took to editing and I went out for a long walk around the harbour. With million dollar boats and expensive hotels, it was a little glimpse into how the other half live.

HIGHLIGHTS - walk around the harbour in the evening
LOW POINTS - the heat
ROADS -Читать далее
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