Queen Stage

Queen Stage was indeed Epic.   Since we began planning this trip, Tomaz has been referring to the “Queen Stage”, unfamiliar with this term he informed me that the term refers to the racing stage that is the hardest or most difficult day in terms of highest elevation gains and/or distance covered in a single day.    As he planned our one-week Slovenian bike adventure, he consistently inferred that we needed to train for a 60 (+) mile day with over 6000 feet of elevation gain.   Today (Day One) was that day.   

 

After a quick breakfast of thick slices of bread, spreadable cheese, drinkable yogurt and strong coffee, we were joined by Dmitri, a musician and Slovenian riding buddy of Tomaz.   We set out before 8am to the sounds of Kamnik church bells to climb up and over the Luce-Podvolovkjek pass in the Kamnisko-Savinjske Alps towards the Austrian border.  Halfway up the pass a happenstance meeting of one of Tomaz’s boyhood friends, Micha completed the quintet and onward we climbed.   Climbing mountains on a bike is a combination of physical and mental strength, doable with effort and training although at times you do question your sanity.  

 

However, I find the 14% grade descent to be simultaneously invigorating and terrifying.   As you navigate switchbacks, one must determine how much speed is manageable and pray the bike mechanics have done a good job with the braking system.   

 

Picking up on the theme of surprisingly pleasant Slovenia, we descended into the Savinja river valley and followed it up to the Hotel Plesnik in the post-card quality picturesque Logarska Dolina valley, where we enjoyed 5 servings of the only food item available at 11am apple strudel.   As the temperature climbed, we reluctantly left this little slice of paradise for the return trip.   

 

 

Despite the Sunday traffic along route 428 we rapidly descended to Mozirje and stopped at a petrol station to fuel up on energy drinks and food to confront the final long hot climb up to the GTC 902, where we enjoyed a well-earned cold adult beverage.   The final descent into Kamnik was a hoot completing the Queen Stage with the following digits: Distance 67 (+) miles, 5,000 (+) feet elevation, 5 (+) hours of riding… Epic indeed.   

 

]Andlast but certainly not least… sausage vending machine in n the city center of Kamnik