Part II.

I did not find any bike shop in Bruck so I have to cycle another four kilometres to Zell am See. A biker who I met showed me direction to bikeshop. Shop personnel is very helpful even that I wanted to change the tire by myself. Tire cost €14,99. A minute of work would cost 60 cents. Couple of break chock cost €7. I had to buy a couple of breaks chock at Cortina de Ampezzo in Italian Dolomite for €5. First of all he offer couple for €15.

I am starting pedalling uphill around 9:30 am. The biggest elevation change (1 800m) is just ahead. A road on Grossglockner leads through the largest Austrian national park Hohe Tauern. Several hours long uphill was easier thanks to an American couple. They ride bikes with horizontal pedalling. They go very very slow. If I go the same speed I would fall down. But I wait for them every a few kilometres and we have a lunch together. Heavy rain with hailstones catch me in the section between tunnels near the summit. I try to hide at least a little bit behind a cross. Lucky the rain is short. I stay for a night on at hayloft on the southern slope.

I got back on bicycle path near Großkirchheim and shortly after then I am surprised by Roman from Brno. I can enjoy beautiful scenery as I follow Möll River all the way to Vinklem village. Whole track is downhill Weather is great for cycling. After circa three kilometre long uphill into pass (1205 m) is long downhill into Lienz. Unfortunately all supermarkets are closed on Sundays. I do not stay longer in the city and follow Drava River hidden in shadow of deep valley. There are plenty of bikers, whole families cycling in reverse direction, (down stream). I am entering Italy today. I have enough time to reach Dolomite but as I would like to buy some food I decide to stay near Toblach village.

I am buying some supplies at a little town of Toblach in the morning. After that I turn south and along Toblacher See Lake I am entering into Dolomite. I do not know why cycling is so hard as it does not look to be steep uphill. I have to make a break at Düren See. I reach Alla Baita camp site around noon. camp si situated near Misurina Lake. Price of €(4+6/person plus a tent). I could recharge batteries at the reception.

Shortly after I built my tent I am heading to my first hike along hiking trails #118, #115 and #117. These trails lead to Rif. Fonda Savio

I broke my tent in the morning and cycle to toll-gate on the road to Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Collector was so kind so I could leave my bike with all panniers on it under his control and to start hike. I use hiking path #101. I got to Rif. Auronzoin a hour. Here is crowded parking lot as this is the road end. I keep on #101 where it looks like on Vaclavske namesti (main square in Prague). One of the symbols of Dolomite - Tre Cime di Lavaredo is for most of the time covered by clouds and fog. When I reach #104 amount of people is getting lower. It looks so wonderful I do not want to believe such en exotic place is so close to my homeland. When I got back to the toll-gate around 6 p.m. I could not find my bike. There were storms here in the afternoon so the collector took my heavy locked bike with all panniers and moved it into the shelter. Thank you once again good man. I am passing Misurina Lake and stay for a night at abandoned house near a road.

After four kilometre I am at Hot. Tre Croci. I left my bike with all the stuff at a restaurant near by and start to hike to Rif. Vandelli Sorapis. It is around 10 a.m. Shortly after I meet a group of Czechs on trail #215. I had already met them yesterday. I simply join them for most of the day. I hope I did not look so broken as they share some salami, bread and fruits with me during a lunch break at Lake Sorapis. Thanks guys.

We follow trail #216 which starts with steep climb and #213 to return back. Once again when I got back to restaurant I could not find my bike. And again nice people moved all my stuff to the shelter because the rain. What a nice friendly people live in Dolomite area ;)

I decide to spent a night at Perosego area. It is just a short ride from here but with such steep up-hill so I have to take off some panniers just to even push my bike up. Path is steep and with gravel. I have to walk this up-hill twice - once with panniers once with bike. Just when I reach the top heavy rain starts. I build a tent and go to sleep....

Morning sunshine drys out my wet tent and clothes spread all around my tent. I have a company - barmaid from restaurant walked her dog and showed up. Paola works also at an information centre in Cortina - my next destination. I am cycling along official cycling path #203 which leads through Val Padeon valley. It is beautiful here nut path is unfortunately damaged after heavy rains. My bike is shaking all the time and I am sorry for my camera. Following path #208 leads on former railway track. Leads over bridges and through tunnels. Great experience is slightly cracked by four landslides which I have to cross. Tonight I stay at Rocchetta camp in Cortina d Ampezzo. I have this place linked to €50 and passport.

It is beautiful sunny morning with clear sky. I am leaving my bike near bus station in the city and go by bus near to Pso. Falzarego. I get off at Cian Zope and hike along #442 toward my first "via ferrata" and to Tofana di Rozes mountain. I spent a night at the same camp.

I. / II. / III. / IV. / Equipment / Experiences / Map / Photo camera-Journey / Photo camera - Dolomite