Cycling up to Grozjnan

June 9, 2025

And on to Novigrad

Longest cycling day on this part of the trip, 37.8 miles and 3960 ft of climbing. We also spent about 15 miles on gravel most of it was pretty hard packed and good riding.

We started out riding along the harbor in Porec and then wended our way to an abandoned railroad bed that has been turned into a gravel biking and hiking trail. This is not a well manicured biking trail like we are used to in Tallahassee. There are periodic rocks sticking up, potholes ruts etc but the surface was generally pretty stable with minimal loose gravel. We made a few stops along the way for rest breaks, for a flat tire, and for a dropped chain. It was a really good day of riding but we were hot and ready to jump in the cool Adriatic when we got back to the boat. We finished our ride in Novigrad where we met the boat.

In the shade in a small playground in a tiny little town that used to be connected to the long ago railroad that we were riding along

Back on the bikes and getting ready to head downhill

We had just ridden down a twisty turny hill and looking up far away we could see the village where we would stop for lunch

Look at that elevation profile! We went from one hilltop village down into the river valley then looked up at the village we would go to next. It was way up there.

We stopped for a rest break about 2/3 of the way up the hill

Across from our rest stop was a very old olive grove. Look at the size of some of those trunks

We couldn’t ride in the village as the streets were too narrow with uneven stones as pavement

Gathered in a shady park to park our bikes and then set out to explore the village and have lunch

The village is now home to many artists in this tiny village there are 30 galleries and about 45 residents

The church was closed but we could peek in through the glass door

Group picture and looking down at the valley we cycled up from

The biking infrastructure had been good coming into the larger towns. We often have separated bike lanes and whenever they cross roads or around traffic circles there is red paint to mark where the bike lanes are. This is good to alert drivers that cyclists are crossing and also alerts cyclists to traffic ahead.

Near where the boat was docked there was a swimming area

We took full advantage and cooled off after our ride

Looking back toward the swimming area from the boat

Novigrad has colorful umbrellas hanging over some of the streets in the old town

Istria and Croatia are known for their truffles. We’ve had several dishes with truffles. Even Gordon Ramsay thinks their truffles are special

The old city wall now turned into the facing for a hotel

There are a lot of fishing vessels. This appears to be a working town as well as a tourist yown

Another section of the city wall. This one bordered by a restaurant.

Today's ride: 38 miles (61 km)
Total: 92 miles (148 km)

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