Day 24 - Ljubljana to near Celje.

Day 24. Ljubljana to near Celje. 93km, 5hrs35.

After long consideration we decided to head east to Celje, rather than do a there-and-back to Bled. Lake Bled is one of the sightseeing highlights of Slovenia, but unfortunately it is in totally the wrong direction for us unless we wanted to do an extra 120km or tackle the Alps. Not today thanks! 

There was hardly a soul around as we left Ljubljana with the imposing snowcapped Alps to the west. We cycled along the Ljubljana River which soon joined the Sava River. The Sava flows east to Zagreb in Croatia and eventually joins the Danube at Belgrade in Serbia . We made good time on small roads next to the river and railway line in perfect cycling conditions. Our odometer hit 1000 km for the trip along this section. We have been wobbling along for 3 weeks now - that's the duration of the Tour de France. No EPO, transfusions, professional masseuse, backup bus, mechanics, and 7 kg bikes. Take that Lance!

After coffee in Litija, we continued along the river as it entered a deep gorge, so we had great pedaling mostly in forest with good views of the river. Slovenia, in spite of being the smallest EU country, is the third most forested.

We then turned north towards Lasko, with its large brewery, and Celje along the Savinje River. The houses here are very Austrian in design. We tried to stay on small roads approaching Lasko, but ended up having to push our bikes up a very steep and stony gravel track. After lots of sweat and muttering, we eventually ended up on the intended route.

Rather than look for a room in the city of Celje on a Saturday afternoon when all the information offices are closed, we stopped at a sobe a few kilometers before Celje. There was a 50th birthday party in the restaurant downstairs, so we had accordion "music" for most of the night.

1K and going strong.

The Sava River - also going strong.

An old wooden bridge across the Sava. It still takes normal traffic.

The gravel track became smaller and steeper from here.

The local brew. Our glasses are still half full.