In 2015 when I moved to Christchurch for a ‘year’ I bought a bike. I had a bike in Ballarat which hadn’t been ridden for about 24 years. Not knowing if I would stay, I didn’t want to buy a car.

I became a cyclist. Baptism of fire. My work was 12km each way.

On the flat.

Four years later I bought a car, but continued to walk past that, with my bike, to ride to work. Much easier to bike in a very bikecentric city like Chch. And I realised I loved biking.

On the flat.

MoD consistently tried to get me to do the Port Hills but I refused. Hills are uncivilised MoD. And besides, that’s why you have boyfriends. 

So today, from Smartno to Postojna I came into my own.

Perfect conditions.

Flat – mostly (ok 580m elevation). Not too hot – not too fast.

Perfect.

Loved it.

69.5km. Which means tonight I am pretty tired and this may be a fairly ordinary post. But you are probably used to that. 

We started by riding into Italy for coffee.

Because we could. 

I didn’t get many photos. No time for photos my friends. Just a sneaky few which meant a quick cycle to catch up with the group. Although the ‘sweeper’ at the back always had to wait for me. Fortunately I often wait for the Sweeper to make sure she is ok, so it was all good.

Loyal readers, you will be thrilled to know that in Italy I ordered a cappuccino. Plain. Just as it came. And loved it. Granted I added zucchero. 

We then headed back to Slovenia, riding along the Vipava River arriving at the town of Vipava, where Tomi and Andros had prepared us a picnic. 

Our timing was perfect, thunder clouds loomed, lightening was striking fairly close by. Being the committed group we are, we continued onwards towards our final destination, getting as far as Velike Zablje before the heavens opened. 

And it was heavy. 

There wasn’t a lot of choice, we took refuge in a bus shelter while Tomi called Andros to get our bikes and take us to the nearest town. 

I have no idea where that town was…..but we sheltered within the town square and had another coffee. From there we headed up to the top of the mountain, us four in a Uber. With a wannabe Lewis Hamilton. 

There was a collective sigh of relief when we got there in one piece.

I would like to tell you where that mountain was but I also have no idea…….however lunch was quite nice, and long, while  we waited out the rain before riding down the mountain to Predjamsk Castle.  

Predjamsk Castle was built in 1274 within a cave mouth and is in a Gothic style. 

Stunning. 

After a 45 minute hang around the castle we headed back up that bloody big mountain, well at least part of it accounting for some of that 580m elevation, to our hotel in Postojna.

This has been our longest day, we didn’t get in until 6.20pm.

The group has a WhatsApp chat which is quite handy, so most of us organised to meet for dinner at the local Pizza place,  Pizzerija minutka Hamza Kukavica. Pizza’s were awesome. Prosecco and Tiramisu perfecto. 

Now bed.

I’m tired.

Last day tomorrow.

Night folks.