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Published: September 12th 2013
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Day 5 Kranskja Gora to Kobarid
Today was a terrific ride, setting off in drizzle which lasted to the top of the Vrisic Pass. It did not start too well since it rained all night and was still raining at 9am when we were due to start off. Despite the weather forecast saying that it was due to clear up soon with no more rain we had a mutiny. Several could not face climbing to 1600 metres in rain and no views so transport was hurriedly made to transport the eleven and their bikes to Kobarid. This just left the magnificent seven pitting their souls against the elements and the grimper of the week award. The climbing was long and hard with gradients from 7 to 18% and many of the 22 hairpins on the ascent of cobbles. We were not passed by Cross Country Skiers today, which was a bonus but we were competing with two Canadians from Montreal on road bikes pulling trailers with two panniers each. Their other halves were pulling nothing and holding up the rear - tough guys.The two Colorado riders said they were glad of the rain as they were so used to sunshine
in Denver. Well it takes all sorts. The four from Montreal were soon at the top and taking a well earned rest. A quick photo by the summit signpost and off I went before getting cold after the workout. My hands were killings on the descent since I had to control my speed all the way down due to the wet and uneven road which made my hands ache no end. After soup, ham and eggs and apple strudel at a roadside bar we were off again following the river Soca all the way to Kobarid. On the way we visited a War Grave at Bovec, where thousands of Italians were killed in the second world war by the Austro/ Hungarian army. What a waste, Why do people do this? Once in Kobarid we ambled down to Idrsko to the Jasbec Hotel run by a couple in their thirties who are very nice and speak good English. She has taught me two words today , hvala - thank you, procim - please. By the end of the week I expect to be fluent in Slovene. I expect to go to the Kobarid museum tomorrow but saw a museum piece on
the edge of town. A man was mowing with a tiny motorised 3ft cutter bar mower, grass 3" tall. How do they make a living? Or is it a part time job? After a shower I did my daily washing and put it next to the boiler to dry overnight. Showering was alright but I had to get Robert, my rooming mate, to take off my shirt due to the injury from Monday when I fell off, which has turned into a massive bruise. Keep taking the tablets.
Day 6 Rest day.
Some of the riders went to Bovec for a ride and to look at the preserved trenches of WW1. Robert and myself went to the war museum in Kobarid, which was the hub of much fighting and loss of life in 1916/17 and, where many were either shelled to death or were gassed. Tragic. Why? We then had a light lunch and went to the Italian Church at the top of the hill and then another snack only to be caught out in a serious rain shower after a gloriously sunny day. We waited for it to pass
but alas it never seemed to come so I went off in the rain looking for a couple of brollies to walk the 2k back to our hotel in Idrsko. As soon as we got back it stopped, of course. The forecast is good for the next two days, at least, so we are more optimistic. More hard days ahead.
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