On the highway to Gibraltar – EuroVelo 8

Cycling day 9/29 km ~ From Grado to Bassano del Grappa

So after a relaxing day I’ve started again from my first big stop in Grado to Cermignano to hop on the train to Bassano del Grappa. This was to spare some time as it would have been 225 km to go.

On the cyclepath I’ve followed today – the EuroVelo 8 – you can cycle from Athens to Gibraltar – unbelievable. So this trip was made by Andrew P. Sykes, a teacher from London and he wrote a book about this journey.

Along the med on a bike called reggie

So on my way to the trainstation I passed by Aquileia which was great again.

So starting in Grado I’ve had a wonderful weather. At the station I’ve a met a german cyclist couple on their way back home. So we arrived at Venezia-Mestre where I’ve had to change the train – and it was raining like cats and dogs, also with thunderstorms.

It changed a little bit and in Bassano del Grappa there were only clouds. So I’ve managed to reach the campingsite, built up my tent – and than it started to rain 😂

At this site is situated next to a perfect paragliding spot and it’s well-known in Europe for the good conditions.

I met some paragliders and we went into the restaurant next to the campingsite. It was again raining like cats and dogs with thunderstorms – unbelievable! So my small tent did a really good job!

Welcome to the Adriatic Sea

Cycling day 8/55 km ~ From Udine to Grado

This morning was a comfortable one – staying up late and enjoy to have breakfast with new friends. After saying goodbye I left the town of Udine and cycled on small roads to my next highlight – Palmanova.

This city designed by Leonardo da Vinci with its walls formed like a star was definitely worth a closer look. I also met a couple from Germany who did the same cyclepath like me – the Ciclovia Alpe Adria Radweg (CAAR). Many people cycling along this path – but only a few do it self-organized as you can see the panniers of famous companies on many bikes…

On the main place you can find some exhibitions of Leonardo da Vinci – as I’ve seen some of them already in his birthplace two years ago on my way to Rome.

From Bavaria to Rome (2016)

The next highlight was the city of Aquileia with the biggest mosaic in the western world – about 700 s.m. A very special experience to enter the cathedral with these mosaics – especially if you have a closer look to the meanings which are explained in a flyer you get in the entrance.

The whole town is covered with excavations where you experience the roman life. At this day we had about 30 C so I had a closer look also to the Gelateria 😁

Now I had to cycle the last kilometers to my first big stop – the Adriatic Sea!

After more than 450 km I’ve reached finally the sea and it was great to have finished the first part of my trip of 2018!

I found also a very cosy campingsite with a nice restaurant – and met many cyclists who experienced the same cyclepath like me – what a great day!

Part One – Crossing the alps on the Ciclopista Alpe Adria heading towards the Adriatic Sea

For those of you who are following my trips every year you know that the last year was a big trip. The preparations started already in September, it was the most expensive journey I´ve done because of the ferries and visa – and it was sometimes cold and rainy.

Considering all these facts for me it was absolutely clear this year trip had to be cheaper with much more sun and less wind or rain. And it had to be much more easier to be prepared.

So looking back to my previous trips and thanks to my colleague Matthias who made some fantastic pics in my new/old travelling-region – under these conditions there was just one option – Italy!
And I´d like to use almost every night my tent – as I hope the weater will be nice!

Thinking back to ideas of other travellers or warmshower guests I remembered the tip from the couple from Patagonia last year visiting my home.
It was the Ciclovia Alpe Adria Radweg they´ve taken from Grado to Salzburg and they told me it was nice and comfortable – if you go the other way round…
So it was perfect to get to the Adriatic Coast!

Ciclovia Alpe Adria – the cyclepath from Salzburg/Austria to Grado/Italy 

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So here comes the plan…starting at home I´m going to visit a friend in Salzburg and use the Ciclovia Alpe Adria heading towards Bad Gastein.
On my way I´m going to visit some highlights like the Castle Werfen or the Celtic Museum in Hallein. The first night in my old and smaller tent will be in Bischofshofen.

Starting after a hopefully silent night with a great cup of coffee – I´ll be using the first time a real coffee and not just a soluble café – my way will be along the Gasteiner Tal approaching Bad Gastein where I´ll use the Tauernschleuse railway on the next day.

Crossing the Tauern via train you exit the tunnel in Mallnitz and have to have safe brakes – 600 m decent! Cycling through the fantastic Drau valley you are going to visit the nice towns Spittal and Villach.

Leaving Villach you are going to roll along some rivers like the Gailitz and Fella.
I´m going to use old train tracks which are converted to cyclepaths and head towards
my first of three destinations – Grado!

My trip from Bavaria to Grado/Italy on www.bikemap.net

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