Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Austria, & Germany

It was hard to leave Slovenia, especially after a good nights sleep in our first hotel room of the trip! But after checking the weather reports, and remembering the last time I crossed the Alps through Innsbruck, we dragged ourselves out of bed and back onto the bikes. 

Back on the road, it was hard to think about sleeping in with the weather as good as was. 

Not so welcoming welcome into Austria. 

Off the highway and back onto another perfect back road. 

A quick road fix put us directly in line with another big storm as we approached Innsbruck. 

Couldn't see, no over pass to hide under, so the only choice was to wait it out in a rest stop. 

Back on the road, possibly a little bit better...? But still a couple hours from Kaufbeuren. 

Waiting for some firefighters to shovel cow shit off Fernpass road, as the ranchers led the cows to the higher elevations. 

Finally back on the road, getting ready to cross our final border of the day. 

The Alps and the storm behind us, almost home!

Good Morning Croatia

5am, off the deck of the boat as we navigated through the maze of islands off the coast of Croatia. 

Getting close to Zadar. Cleaning up our mess from the night before. 

You'll have to go there to find out what I saw!

Highway 8, up the coast was fucking awesome. We were there early enough that the traffic was still really light, weather was perfect, and the roads were excellent. Top of the list!

Endless corners. Pullout to check the view, water a couple plants, and stretch the legs. 

Bakar

After unloading the bikes in Zadar, we got a little wrapped up in the adventure, and hauled ass all the way up, almost to Rijeka. This was our final destination, but due to the population, the slightly industrial beaches, and the time of day, we said fuck it, let's push to Lake Bled, Slovenia. 

Washing off the road in the Adriatic Sea before the final push.  

As usual, as soon as we cross a border, it seems everything changed. Really fucking cool. 

Getting into the groove. Enjoying the weather, the roads, the trip. 

Finally to Bled, the first thing we did was park the bikes, run to the lake, and strip down! It was warmer than the Adriatic Sea. Great swim in the shadow of the Julian Alps, and the perfect end to a long day. 

Hotel parking

Art Show, San Jose, Ca  7/16/2014 7 p.m.

Friends of the club Holly Anderson, Lee Bender and Ken Nagahara will be part of a group photo show at Jai Tanjui"s Seeing Things gallery in San Jose. Saturday July 16th. Get there if you can.

Ancona

Like our last trip in Italy, the sun was shining, and the temperature was perfect. Unlike last time, the bikes performed perfectly. We only stopped for gas, some food, and a couple map checks. Other than that, there was nothing slowing us down...

Except maybe the Italian roads. One minute we are surrounded by the perfect Italian landscape, carving up the mountainside on a great curvy road, without a bump for miles. But around the next corner it turned into an abandoned mine field. Littered with potholes, the work of drunk paving companies, and a total disregard for anything on two wheels. 

It's like that older girl we all had in high school. When you're with her, it's perfect! Beautiful, smooth curves, you don't want it to end! But then, as soon as you turn around, she's out fucking some other guy! It can't be worse. As your going along, your cussing trying to hold on, telling yourself you'll never come back! But then, she's back! And you're sure this time it will be perfect forever! Ahh Italy.

Eventually we grow up, and move on (Croatian roads were pretty good). But we never stop thinking about Italy. And maybe it wasn't as bad as we remember...

Map check

Look who showed up! Met up with Andreas in Cingoli, followed him to his house for a beer, and then he led us to the port. Great to see you again buddy!

The endless clutch issue

First sight of Ancona 

Beer at the port

Croatia by morning