Blog

Tissano Italy to Grado Italy where I reached the Adriatic Sea

Posted on September 27, 2023September 27, 2023 by mikebike

Yesterday I had big plans to try to make it to Grado, but the heat and wind changed those plans for me. By mid afternoon I was beaten and horse was tired too. So we pulled into a little town on Tissano hungry and ready to call it a day. I had a sandwich and ice cream at a little store and noticed a Villa across the street. I parked horse outside and went inside to see if they had a room. Sure enough, someone had just canceled so in we went. Horse spent the night in the Villa garden and I got the room with a pool table. This morning I pack up and headed toward Grado before the heat of the day set in. Yesterday’s wind had turn 180 and was now at my back and the trail was mostly down hill to the sea.

The Villa (75 euros includes breakfast). Off season rates 😊

Four poster bed with a pool table. Now that’s living a dream.

Horse tucked away in the garden for the night amongst the Roman statues.

Beautiful church in Palmanova .

A Roman Cathedral in Aquileia

The inside of the cathedral.

Yahoo! Grado

Tire dip in the Adriatic Sea . Six weeks and 2900 kilometers from the North Sea where I started this wonderful journey. Yep, I cried as my feet were awash in seawater.
Da beach in Grado

The beach bum of Grado.
Thanks so much for all your good karma and friendship. It’s been really nice to share this experience with you guys. Best wishes to all of you. Freebird
The End

Villach Austria to Tissano Italy via Gemona del friuli Italy

Posted on September 26, 2023September 26, 2023 by mikebike

Well the two days of rest in Villach ended with a wonderful stay at Dominik’s (my Austrian son) grandmas place. I was picked up by his mom for what turned out to a good rest and a lot of great food. Strengthened by all the food and rest I began the climb out of the beautiful Villach through the Kanital valley. On both sides of me are the Julian Alps.

There they are- those ladies that tried to fatten me up. 😊❤️

Alps ahead and behind and both sides 😓.

Shores and I as we enter Italy 🇮🇹. Country #6. But who’s counting 😂😎.

Snow on the mountain tops means we better get going as winter has already started in this high country.

Only 37 kilometers up 😅. Most of the grade was gentle and reasonable.
One of 22 tunnels on the way down mountain. And a beautiful day to be on the bike in the Alps.

Almost to the campground ⛺️.

Trail detour through this town.

Camp Happy along with some other bike campers.

Alps are now in my rear view mirror 🪞.

Another town another beautiful church ⛪️.

In Udine Italy where I had lunch near this Roman tourist attraction.
I have my sights on Grado Italy tomorrow if horse and I and the weather hold up. In Grado I plan to take some R&R and then plan a way home.
Stay tuned 😊😎 Freebird

St Johann Austria to Villach Austria via Bad Gastein

Posted on September 23, 2023September 23, 2023 by mikebike

For those you that heard rumors of my early demise, they are untrue. Although I thought I was dead several times on the big climb, I found that if you are in pain, you must be among the living. Let’s just say it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done period. At times the only thing that kept me going was that my friends from Calgary (Daphne & Frank) did it last year. And they are not as young as I.

Wonderful weather and beautiful scenery if start the climb up the Austrian Alps.

Following the Salzach river up.

The highest peak in Austria 🇦🇹.

Tunneling several times upwards.

This one has a separate tunnel just for bikes.

Bad Gastein. Locally known as the road to the sun.

The falls of Bad Gastein . 20% grade🥵. I push horse up most of the last 5 kilometers. I repeat “I think I can”. Over and over.

So many beautiful waterfalls 💦

Me searching for the train for bikes 🚴🏻

Still searching. Very confusing and cold up here.

Horse and I finally found the train. Yahoo!!!

The descent from the train was very fast 💨 and scary. I stopped several times just to catch my nerve to continue. Hot brake’s .

Near my camp at Obervelach it begins to rain. And does so all the way to Villach where I arrived wet, tired, and cold. The lady at the campground felt sorry for me and found a room (actually a camper) so I am suddenly blessed with a warm dry place to sleep the night. Grateful I am.
I hope you have a little trial magic in your day. Take care, Freebird

Salzburg Austria to St Johann Austria

Posted on September 20, 2023September 20, 2023 by mikebike

I spent yesterday exploring the beautiful city of Salzburg. From the Plaza gardens , to the Palace, and then the Fortress (which is on top of a mountain overlooking the city. Today ride from Salzburg to St Johann was so beautiful it’s hard to describe with words or pictures. But I’ll give it a whirl anyway.

Looks a lot like my garden back home 😂🫣.

Nice Palace. I didn’t ask, but I don’t think they would allow me to pitch my tent on their lawn.

Mozart himself. I know it’s him because his name is on the monument.

The Fortress (it’s way up dare in da clouds) from the garden.

A look from the Fortress to the City.

Another view from the Fortress.

The little sign next to the “7” says Ciclovia Alpe Adria Radweg. Which means I’m going from the Alps to the Adriatic on this trail.

I know it’s pretty, but this is only the beginning.

Horse and rider.

I could tell you how hard the climbs were today but I’ve already forgotten about them. Oh but my legs have not, the are totally done for the day.

Oh beautiful for spacious skies.

Up and up we go – Second floor 😂😩😓🥵

I tied my hammock to two trees and took after lunch nap here.

Hammock view.

View from my campsite 🏕️ tonight.
From one tired Freebird, Take care

Passau to Salzburg via Braunau

Posted on September 18, 2023September 18, 2023 by mikebike

Yesterday morning horse and I crossed the border to Austria in thick early morning fog. We followed the Inn River all day climbing and descending on what seemed to be a roller coaster. Today from Braunau to Salzburg was much prettier. We had three big climbs but they were all in the morning (that’s when horse is at his best) and the grades were mostly reasonable . We followed the Salzach River all day today and it wasn beautiful.

Welcome to Austria, country #5 for horse and I.

My first indication that I’m going in the right direction. Euro velo 7 is my route to Salzburg.

A beautiful day to be on a bike 🚴🏻.

The mighty Salzach River.

Beautiful little villages (with bakeries 🧁).

I met this gentleman trail side. He didn’t have much to say.

The Salzach river (right) and Saalach river join forces here. And my first good view of the Austrian Alps. They look mighty big from here

View of the Alps from my campsite in Salzburg.
Thanks again for your friendship and good ju ju. Freebird

Straubing to Passau via Vilshofen

Posted on September 16, 2023September 16, 2023 by mikebike

Okay, Mamma said there was be days like this and that was yesterday. Lots of detours and confusion and construction along the Danube sent me off track into nowhere land several times. The work around was lots of very difficult gravel and rough as hell. Like I was riding a jack hammer. Luckily it only lasted for about 40 kilometers. Once I got through that life was good again. Today was a short ride (it’s all relative) to beautiful Passau.

Yesterday beautiful sunflowers and pavement greeted me just beyond the construction. Just as I was about to give up.

Castle for Sale. Fixer upper. 😂😅

I celebrated one month of riding with a roasted pork dinner. It was fantastic. Yeah, I ate it all and followed with dessert 🍨.

The mighty Danube as the sun rises and burns off the fog. Perfect weather for biking 🚴🏾‍♀️.

Me and my shadow 🎶.

Entering Passau.

More entering Passau.

Horse and I (he needed a drink) Passau Dome in the Background.

Outside the Dome

Inside the Dome. Where my new friends from Cologne treated me to an amazing concert 🎶 of the pipe organ.

My friends Uwe and Gabby just before the concert. I met them a couple weeks ago on the Rhine. They said they were going to Budapest and we might run into each other again. And sure enough, just as I entered Passau city square I heard someone yell my name. It was Uwe. You can’t make this shit up 😄.

My campsite 🏕️ on the Ilz river.

Three great rivers meet here in Passau , the Danube, Ilz, and the Inn. I’ll be taking the Inn tomorrow to salzburg or that’s the plan. Take care. Thanks so much for your kind wishes and comments. I love them all. Freebird

Kelheim to Straubing Germany

Posted on September 14, 2023September 14, 2023 by mikebike

Okay, for all my friends who think my compass is out of wack because I’m heading north east (Italy happens to be south) First , thank you for the concern, and yes I’ve been guilty of being one bubble off center many times. However, now that made the turn a Regenburg take note that I’m heading southeast towards Passau. Im not Carl Compass but I’m doing my best to follow the river valleys.

They have Mermaids here.

The blue Danube at sunrise.

Regensburg for my breakfast view.

The Black Forest of Bavaria is slowly disappearing behind me.

Entering Straubing.

Straubing from my campsite 🏕️.

More beautiful Straubing.

More Straubing city center.

No airbags required 😂😎.
Take care, Freebird

Kelheim Germany

Posted on September 13, 2023September 14, 2023 by mikebike

Ah! A rest day here in the beautiful city of Kelheim in Bavaria. Did some much needed napping, bike maintenance, laundry, and got a great massage. Life is good to me today. I hiked up to the soldiers memorial from the Napoleon wars. Beautiful view from up there .
I hope you enjoy your day and had some fun and time to relax.

Make me want to Yodel again!
Take care, Freebird 😃🚲 Sent from my iPhone

Neuburg to Kelheim Germany

Posted on September 12, 2023September 12, 2023 by mikebike

Another hot day on the bike. But I’m grateful for the cool of the early morning and the shaded parts of the route. Today’s climb was rated “expert” and yesterday “most difficult “. Whoever rates them is correct. Today’s climb up over the mountain valley was mostly me pushing my bike 🚲. Lucky it was it was through forest and the shade saved me. I’d stop and take a rest but it didn’t take long for the mosquitoes to find this hot sweaty biker. Anywho all turned out well as I have a hotel for the night in the beautiful city of Kelheim.

Entering Neuburg.

City center Neuburg

The beautiful Catholic Church. Lots of gold. Had me wondering if god has a piggy bank 🤔

A nice little one bedroom castle 😂😂.

The Danube. See how big I’m getting 😊.

An owl hooting as I fell to sleep last night in Camp Happy. Not this particular one, but maybe a cousin.

Storks are everywhere and so are babies 👶. Hum! I think there might be a connection here😂😊

Hops , or beer to be.

Entering Kelheim as I cross the now might Danube.
Take care all, Thanks for the good karma, FreeBird

Sigmaringen to Neuberg via Dillingen

Posted on September 11, 2023September 11, 2023 by mikebike

Hi all, It’s been a very hot week so I’ve been getting up just before sunrise and hitting the trail. The goal being to beat the heat in the afternoon. So far that strategy is working fairly well. The little Danube of a couple days ago has grown into a mighty river. Yeah I jumped in and yes it’s cold 🥶 and very refreshing after a hot day.

Morning fog on the Danube at sunrise.

The wonderful bike trails of Europe continue to amaze me.

The beautiful city of Ulm on a sunny Sunday morning.

I climbed a tower to get this shot of Ulm and the blue Danube. It was a little scary climbing up with bike shoes 👠.

Dillingen clock tower.

The Danube gets bigger every morning.

Sunflowers in the morning fog.

They make helicopters here.

A German guy and I had a conversation using google translate 😊. And a beautiful view of the Danube valley. Yep I had to climb up several big climbs again today. I think the architects of this trail decided that it would be best to keep everyone in good health. Or it has entertainment for the locals who seem to not notice the steep hills 😩 .

The castle of Neuburg. I’m camping just outside of town.
Later taters, Thanks again for the comments and connection. It feels wonderful to know my friends are here with me. Freebird