From Rock Castles and Hammocks

Day #79

Saturday, 18th of July

From Ljubljana to somewhere between Bukovje and Podkraj

[Note from the editor: The last few days have been eventful due to the festival and the subsequent return home, which brought challenges to the operational process.]

It's a challenge to pack quietly in a shared room.

The other bikepacker was more ambitious and organized; he got up around 6, as far as I noticed, and just left.

Whereas, unlike me, he seemed to have left his stuff on the bike.

For me, it works reasonably well, and the other two people are also slowly waking up, so it's less necessary to be considerate.

On the way out of the city, I ride alongside the highway, where traffic is congested, and it's a liberating feeling to be on my bike.

Due to construction, I have to reroute since the underpass under the tracks is closed.

After a brief exchange with a local family who is also biking there, it's clear what the best alternative is.

So I climb up to the tracks and heave the bike over the railroad tracks. It's already a familiar routine, and since everything up there is also under construction, I don't have to worry about trains.

At some point, I realize that I am riding on the road too often and need to get used to using the bike paths again.

Especially since they are well thought out and continuous here, and there's no danger of them just ending at a wall, it makes sense to use them.

Just like the many other people who are out biking.

The tour continues along a cozy, beautiful forest path beside a dried-up creek bed.

It's a relaxing ride, even though I'm going uphill again.

The shady trees provide a pleasant temperature.

Except for one last steep ascent in the bright sun.

Just before Postojna, I ride again along a highway with traffic, and I'm excited again to be on my bike.

At the indicated spot in town, I look in vain for a water source and head to the next supermarket.

Then I can also stock up on supplies for tomorrow, Sunday.

For a moment, heavy raindrops come down, but I can easily ignore them while packing under the store's awning, and afterwards, the sky remains dark.

And instead of returning to the city center to reach the actual route, I stay on the country road to reach the indicated route in a curve.

In addition to saving a few kilometers, I also save some elevation meters.

Sounds good.

In the meantime, I realize that I've lost track of the number of bikepackers today.

Actually, it’s only special if there’s a day without other bike travelers.

It was about eight today.

I catch up with two, but there’s only time for a quick hello and goodbye before I turn towards the Predjama Castle.

There, I take another break. It’s a must because the sight of the fortress built into the rocks is simply overwhelming.

A visit to the related and multi-story cave system will happen another time.

I head back into the climbs.

A few elevation meters should be left for today before I look for a place for the night.

On a plateau, I find a suitable spot for my hammock on a side path.

I’m very happy about that since it will be the last night of my journey.

To cook, I move away from my camp because I’m extremely secluded in the mountains and suspect there could be bears around.

So, afterwards, my supplies will be dutifully pulled back into a tree.

There’s a slight unsettling feeling, but to the best of my knowledge and conscience, I’ve made all the precautions and lay tired and full in the hammock.

And so I’ve finished everything when it starts to rain and a thunderstorm approaches.

The rain dripping on the tarp and the gentle swinging of the hammock lull me into a deep and relaxed sleep.

Song of the Day:

Slope - It's Tickin'