A Bicycle Tour of Slovenia | EPISODE 6: AN EVENING IN BRANIK

The morning brought gray skies and steady rain. We waited in our hotel in Postojna for a bit, then took off on the bikes, cycling through the rain, heading for a side trip known as Predjama Grad, a fabulous castle built into a cliff wall. Eventually, the rain let up and we climbed out of the valley on a road known as The Dragon’s Path which earned it’s name but in the end, we managed it and went on our way, now on pavement, through an endlessly beautiful landscape. Soon we found ourselves on a spectacular descent, dropping from the hill country into the Mediterranean Plateau, with a different flora, and culture. We capped off the day in Branik, a small village that captured our hearts. One of the finest days of cycling any of us have ever done.

[@TerrapinCyclist]

Stunning quality, Roland! Production value and life values. Keep finding paradise!!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you! Appreciate that so much, John!

[@dondonner1095]

Just Beautiful. Again, you are a lucky man being able to experience this with your daughters.They will never forget it.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

So lucky! Grateful beyond words.

[@dongeorge714]

Many thanks to you and your daughters for sharing your trip with us. As usual Beautiful video and great narration. The next time we're caught in the rain we will remember your positivity.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Definitely our pleasure. I think the rain feels like a much bigger problem when you're camping. Once in a hotel, everything dries, and everyone is cozy. Also, the gear today is so amazing! I date back from before gore-tex, and all the other materials we wear to stay warm and dry.

[@lindahowes5949]

Beautiful scenery. Love how you share positivity despite the weather or the touring company’s mistakes. 💜

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thanks Linda. Yeah, a bike tour is the last place you want to have a bad attitude!

[@garyseckel295]

Stunningly beautiful scenery! Lifelong Family Memories that will forever be cherished! Too sweet.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

For sure! Making memories is what it's all about.

[@dooley-ch]

Very enjoyable as always. Roland, you should have a look at the Tyre Glider. I have arthritis in my fingers and change a tyre had gotten to the point that I often ended up sitting on the road side waiting for a kind soul to help me. The Tyre Glider solved that problem! At first I thought it was a gimmick... but no it really does work, but you need to use it properly - by standing over the wheel you can use the strength of your arm and shoulder, not fingers and hands to move (glide) the tyre into position. Schwalbe marathon plus or Contenintal constact plus on or off in a about 1 min or so. There is another one called the Type Monkey - not worth it (I have been searching for a solution for some time😄)

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I've been fine with the touring bikes so far. On my road bike I need something called the Kwikstop (I think) that helps to put the tire back on. I will check out the Tyre Glider. Julianna is having some real problems with the tire changing. Thanks for the tip!

[@macsmandy1]

Fantastic video in all respects. Deeply jealous. My photo/video of my trips sorely lacks in quality so I don't do much of them. Yours most excellent. Your navigator, you mentioned she was always prepared. I noticed her "take-a-look" mirror which i have used since early 90's on 4 continents. I consider it a top safety item. Top Quality. Would not ride without. The best. So yes she is well prepared. Have watched all your videos, have travelled many of the same areas you have done in US and EU. Brings back good memories that I have photos of only in my memory. Thank you. Keep up the good work. Best to you and your lovely family.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you so much for the lovely comment! Bailey is simply the best while adventuring. You noticed she brought out tea when we were changing out the flat? I missed the mirror which I have on my touring bike. It definitely is a necessity. We are making plans now for Julianna's and my tour this spring, so lots more to come!

[@frankducett9]

What a lucky Dad you are.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I know!

[@harhoffs]

“Paradise is where you find it” ❤….top fan

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Truth is, it's everywhere you go!

[@boyan64]

In the past, in this region, you could see many large stones on the roofs of houses. These guarded the roof from being blown away by a strong wind bora.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Wow. I think we got lucky!

[@tonyorme6446]

Another great video…an experience that you and your daughters will never forget.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you! We definitely will remember this one. Kelsey just asked me where we're going next? :-)

[@claudemarie9136]

Salut Roland, Ah, you mean “Kel” 😉. (I heard that). Remember that video you uploaded “Best rail trails”, can’t remember the exact title ? Lucky you (or the two of you, rather) are spoilt for choice. Incidentally, didn’t comment at the time, couldn’t help noticing the numerous interesting contributions and updates i.e. a cycling infrastructure which is a work constantly in progress (extensions, junctions between trails, connections between rail trails and urban bicycle network, “rideability” improvement...etc). Made me smile, typical America : 1) Late to the party. 2) Catches on at an amazing speed. 3) Leaves the rest of the world in the dust. Wanna bet that it’s only a question of time before the US become bike-tourists/ bikepackers, worldwide, favorite destination ? Sooner or later, somebody gonna do the math and figure out that bicycle tourism is a promising market, waiting to be tapped and that the US are sat on a gold mine. That would benefit rural America communities away from tourist traps. The rest will be history... as they say. Bon dimanche.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I love your faith and optimism in America. I wish more Americans had that these days (we seem to be in a time of mass low self esteem). Western Europe benefits from bicycle tourism in a big way, and they have discovered (through cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, as well as long distance routes) that if you build it they will come. Yes, America is late to the game. I hope they catch up. They have a long way to go.

[@claudemarie9136]

Well, sorry (Erm... not really) but I ain’t very much into faith. Remember that, I like statistics, figures and boring spreadsheets ? At the time, when you uploaded that video, there so many comments i.e. new infrastructure, that it triggered my curiosity. Did a little bit of homework and figures speak for themselves, there are miles of urban bike paths, rail trails built good years/bad years ... and, unsurprisingly, since the US are huge, these miles add up very quickly. Agreed, the US might (?) lag behind *for now”, but for lack of an international unit ( would miles of bicycle Infra per 100K inhabitants work ?), that’ll allow comparisons, US progress (I ain’t making them up) are difficult to mesure vs 🇪🇺. Worth noting that US riders aren’t fussy, coarse gravel suits them fine, for a weird reason, in many EU countries new bike paths including outside of urbanized areas have to be asphalt-ed, tarmac-ed, concreted which result in eye-watering costs per km, as opposed to the US where a mile of rail trail comes at a fraction of that cost. Talking $$ 2013 is old news but still : « In 2013, for example, Salt Lake City converted nine blocks of parking to a protected bike lane. Sales rose 8.8 percent for stores located along the bike lane-compared with a 7.0 percent increase citywide ». Source : « Urban » website This a language, you Americans understand (nothing wrong with that, on the contrary) : $$. My money is on the US, no faith, no optimism 😉.

[@claudemarie9136]

This is the source quoted in my previous comment : URBAN WIRE Why US Cities Are Investing in Safer, More-Connected Cycling Infrastructure Olivia Fiol, Yonah Freemark, Yipeng Su February 2, 2022 The Urban Institute. Well worth a read, IMHO.

[@dennispiciullo8060]

Pretty cool adventure, love that castle! Beautiful family, looks like fun!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

One of the best days on this trip for sure!

[@boyan64]

Very professional narration like on National Geographic... You was in Primorska regija...Vipavska dolina.. Translation...At the see region, Vipava valley Yeee correctly Sladoled is Icecream❤❤ 🍦 ❤❤

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I always appreciate your local commentary. Yes, we're very close to the coast, although the route is very winding. At this rate we'll be there in a couple of weeks! Bailey and Kelsey were excellent with the language... I struggle to remember words I learn, not so much them.

[@boyan64]

​@TheBicycleTourists yes in this Vipava valley could be very strong wind...burja is name in our language ( Bora wind). This wind is good for drying pršut. (Prosciutto) You are also good with our letters with roof...č , š , ž... I hope you have good experiences with our peoples...locals.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

All good to know! You know, my struggles with the language are not due to my not trying, ha ha. I really enjoyed the people, we found them very friendly and very easy to engage with.

[@claudemarie9136]

Same here ! @boyan64 Your local explanations are very much appreciated.

[@garyseckel295]

Watched again. Slovenia is SO beyond beautiful! Roland, my Hase Lepus, Hase rain fairing AND Hase (attached) poncho, with rain hat that we retirees wore as children, await warming weather! Want to ride even if it rains! Will own the bike paths too, LOL! Want to hear the rain drops hitting my trike's rain accessories AND my rain hat (will leave my bike helmet off)! NO affiliation to Hase here, simply saying that the tallest-seat option on my Lepus will allow this limited-mobility handicapper to re-live childhood! E-assist and Rohloff gearbox on my Lepus too! Oh, Yeah!!! Scenery viewing, wildlife/bird watching, even observing up-close butterflies, etc., on flowers, through magnifying monocular is FUN! Carry a second, long-distance monocular for scenery viewing on my neck too (much lighter than binoculars)! Let Julianna know she is missed on your videos. You, being beyond an expert cyclist, will never again NOT take your own touring bicycle on ANY tour!!! AMEN!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Sounds like you're champing at the bit. It is the season to start dreaming of better weather and great rides. As to taking my own bike, this one was unique in that we didn't have time to include a day of bicycle rebuilding, and my daughters didn't have bikes to ship in any case. But at least in the future I will do much better research, and know better what I'm getting, and not take the provider's word for it.

[@jeanbaker239]

Love your videos👏❤️

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you!

[@bojanstare8667]

I enjoyed watching your adventure through Slovenia. It's a shame because there was also some rain. But because of rain Slovenia is a very green country. It is the third largest in Europe in terms of the proportion of forests. At in near future it will be second. There is a story about how we got such a beautiful land. When God created people, they came to him to determine their piece of land. So the Germans got Germany, the Italians Italy, the English England, etc. The Slovenians were late, so God had no land for us. He told us to come back the next day when he would find some piece of land for us too. On the second day, God still found nothing for the Slovenians. So he asked us to wait. A few days later, he called the Slovenians. He gave them his heavenly piece, which he kept for himself. That is why we still have our paradise on earth today.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

That's a great story. And, you're right, a very green country.

[@mikealman]

What operator have you been using?

[@TheBicycleTourists]

An outfit called Natural Adventure. They hired out most of it to a local company named Helia.

[@mikealman]

Would you recommend them? @@TheBicycleTourists

[@TheBicycleTourists]

No, not really. the bicycle rental was extremely disappointing, and we met several travelers on our route who used the same service, and had nothing but complaints. But I'm also predisposed to riding my own ride, so I'm a bit prejudiced.