Early at six it rains a bit, but then comes the sun. After a good breakfast at the campground I pass the ski jump ramp at Villach and then the spa. The road to the Wurzen-pass is made like an autobahn. Biking is permitted, but anyhow I feel uncomfortable.
Then comes the left turn to the Wurzen-pass. 18% slope grade is difficult to handle, especially with more traffic than expected. The many motorcycles are bothering me increasingly, in particular the loudly banging choppers. It seems that there are twice as many motorcycles than cars on the road. Perhaps this is because today is Saturday.
The altitude difference to Villach is only 600 m, but it claims a lot of power. When I arrive at the top I have almost decided to finish today at Kranjka Gora, which lies just behind the Wurzen-pass and is famous with touristics, in winter as much as in summer. I remember that we have been here a long time ago with the children (of course not by bicycle).
Here I have a break in the sun. After a while I feel strong enough to do the Vrsic-pass. It goes from 800 m to 1611 m altitude in a distance of 9 km. The numerous sharp bends are counted and labelled with the altitude, unfortunately the last 15 are missing. After half the distance a small restaurant invites for a break, I get a warm fresh blueberry cake. It is comfortable there, I nearly fall asleep on the chair.
Nevertheless I have to get going again. It begins to rain now, and I have to cover the baggage again. To my right above me it begins to thunder, and I fear a heavy thundershower, but the rain remains moderate. I can continue. This is also necessary because it becomes colder and colder.
Finally I arrive at the summit. It is uncomfortable like at the other passes, no hut or restaurant. Behind me the thunder is getting louder. Again I put on both jackets, gloves and headband and start the descent. The brakes are good and important because the baggage is heavy. I can't go very fast because the surface of the road is very uneven. It is painful for my soul to brake down the sweatfully conquered altitude, but there is no alternative.
Down in Trenta it is distinctly warmer, I can put off jackets, gloves and headband.
The descent continues through narrow valleys, almost ravines, always along the Soca river. This river's water is remarkably blue. The Landscape is untouched, not yet affected by tourism. I enjoy it very much, especially because it is mainly downhill.
At 6 pm I arrive at Bovec, I don't want to go any further. The map doesn't show a campground on the next 80 km, and moreover I believe that two high mountain passes above 1000 m will be sufficient for one day even if the distance was not very far.
After a hot shower at the campground I visit the restaurant and order a pizza. The waiter asks wether I want a regular or a big pizza. Of course I order a big one. When it comes I'm amazed: it is really huge, but I eat it with great appetite. After this there is still enough room for two pancakes with a nut stuffing.
Now I'm really full (and tired).
Tomorrow I would like to arrive in Croatia.