Day 14: Vrbovsko-Rijeka (75 km, 1520 m ↑)
Day 15: Rijeka-Sveti Juraj (75 km, 1130 m ↑)
For some reason, I forgot to write a blog entry when we came to Rijeka. So, this is a combined post for cycling days 14 and 15.
Vrbovsko was a small nest. After the nice dinner we had at Nina’s fast food place the first night, we had to go to another restaurant on Monday, because Nina’s place is closed on Mondays. This demanded cycling down into the valley and then cycling up to Vrbovsko again after dinner. The coffee supply was very good though in Vrbovsko. There were several cafés, and the price was 1,20 € per coffee.
The weather forecast for Tuesday was bad, and it was pretty accurate, too. We left at half past seven, I think, when it was still dry. But around noon, it started raining – first a little, then a more and more. The route from Vrbovsko to Rijeka was pretty mountainous, but also picturesque. If it hadn’t been for the rain, it would have been a very nice cycling day.
Shortly before we arrived in Rijeka, our friend Freek messaged and told us that he was already there. Our apartment was very spacious and modern. There was a pizza restaurant in the same building at which we enjoyed dinner the first evening. The second evening, we went to a more traditional local restaurant. And we found some nice bars as well.
Wednesday and Thursday were working days. Today, Friday, Freek returned towards Germany, and Udo and I continued along the Adriatic coast southwards. The route to Sveti Juraj, Croatian for Saint George, was very scenic. We had a climb in the beginning and then a great view over the sea and the island Krk. And the last stretch was along the coast.
In Sveti Juraj, we also rented a very nice apartment. Our host Mario offered us a beer when we arrived which we gladly accepted and enjoyed on one of the two balconies with a great view over the sea. We even managed to go swimming this afternoon.
Now, we are back at the flat and just watched Schalke win against Fürth. And tomorrow, we will continue into the mountains towards Gospic.
