I’ve bike toured most of Slovenia, except one part, the southwest. So it’s time to explore the backroads, breweries, and campgrounds of SW Slovenia.
The weather been a little rainy so didn’t leave Ljubljana till 3 pm. Stopped by Human Fish Brewery in Vrhnika, waited out a some rain, easy. Then a short ride to Logatec and a cute little campground, CASTLE PARK. It has everything you need, dishwashing station, shower/bathrooms and a very nice out of the rain shelter. Besides the campground, there are apartments and a good on site restaurant. I’m riding towards Idirja, then spot the hotel/restaurant Okrepčevalnica kmečki hram Robert Fortuna. I stayed here last year. The hotel hosts are awesome, it’s definitely a best value accommodation.
Okrepčevalnica kmečki hram Robert Fortuna
The owner recommended the route I should take. Advice is something that pays off and it did here too. It’s will be part of my top 5 car-free routes.
SOLAR BARN 
KAMP-TURA in Vipava is “UPHILL”, my ebike battery ran out 200 meters from camp, had to push it, killed me. Next day I did a 80km loop ride to Nova Goricia. The campground was serving Castra Beer, so I called and arranged to tour the brewery. Drinking fresh beer is always a good thing.
SOLKAN BRIDGE 
WORLDS LARGEST STONE ARCHED BRIDGE 
PIZZA TO GO!
It’s hot here, so I’m searching for the campground with a swimming pool. I found one, the “pool” was an oversized hot tub. I rolled into camp and looked in the pool 20 kids and 5 adults. It was so full, I chose not to go in at all. There’s always a solution. Next day I rode to Nova Gorica. The HUGE Olympic sized pool city pool was only 5 euro for the day. I was going to wear my new swimsuit. Then I was informed that it was too big., What? So I got my “approved” swimsuit in the lost and found box.
TOO BIG 
TOO SMALL 
THIS PART OF SLOVENIA IS VINEYARDS 
Yea, it’s a comfortable seat 
THE AREA IN A HUGE “FLYING” AREA 
I’m heading to the my outdoor concert. The route there was an awesome mix of backroads and some serious climbing (thank you ebike).
I camped at KAMP PLANA BAR 66, just 6 km from the event. When I show up to camp, the women/girls there were so FUNNY! within a minute we were rolling with laughter. So of course I wanted the memory photo.
I ride the 6km, then up a rough rocky road and there it is: stage, bar and plenty of camping. While setting up my tent, the guy next to me said about my Ebike “you’re cheating”. I responded with “and you drove your car?.” I explained at 65 I just want to have fun. His response was classic, “My dad’s 66 sitting at home on the couch watching TV.” I think he finally got that I wasn’t cheating. The concert leaned more to metal, than I particularly like. But it brought out some interesting people. This women was wearing a spiked color and other accessories. Her boyfriend had her on a leash while walking around camp, I asked to hold the leash (of course).
POWER FOR THE MUSIC 
HAIKU GARDEN, MY FAVORITE SLOVENIAN BAND
The music is at night, so during the day I visited several museums in the area. Krpanov dom is the wildlife/nature museum. It’s geared more towards kids and families. But the videos (in several languages), about the lynx, bear and fox were AWESOME!
Then I went to the military museum. Since there was limited electricity at camp, while visiting the museum, I was able to re-charge my phone & E-bike battery!. The history of America’s involvement in another war, was shocking, but then again, not. America supplied Yugoslavia with tanks and weapons. I also visited a non-military part of the museum
I WANT THIS RECORD PLAYER 
TRAINING WHEELS with SHOCKS! 
FROM SLOVENIA’S WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
I was close to my favorite hotel, HOTEL KOVAC. So I, went for a few days of relaxation (no skateboarders). I took the route that goes by the Masun Restaurant. They have the best Vegetarian plate in Slovenia. I camped there one night.
TYPICAL SLOVENAIN, NICE CAR IN FRONT OF A HOUSE THAT NEEDS WORK. 
BEE HOUSE ON A HOUSE 
ANOTHER TOP 5 SLOVENAIN BIKE ROUTE 
I’ve biked so many parts of Slovenia, I know the best overnight places to stop. Bloke Jezero is one of them. I was looking at a bear carving from the backside, holy shit it looks like Donald Trump.
BEARS 
TRUMMP
I took a different route back to Ljubljana. Another Slovenian top 5 car-free route.
A LITTLE ROUGH, BUT NO CARS!
I hope these photos encourage you to get out on your bike or Ebike. Once you realize how easy it is, you’ll be hooked like me. The E-bike has taken bike touring up a notch, for sure. I have no regrets “cheating” with my E-bike. What’s the other option? your car? Climate Change is real.
MAP ROUTE LJUBLJANA TO NOVA GORICA
MAP ROUTE NOVA GORICA-HOTEL KOVAC-LJUBLANA
Thanks for Reading
JEFF
NEXT: Brezice, Celje and ? (depending on weather)
