San Foca Loop

Been almost 2 weeks without a ride, due to bad weather, sick dog, etc.  Tomorrow the Siberian Front is coming in so I grabbed this last chance.  Quick loop on familiar but long neglected roads: San Leonardo, San Foca, San Quirino, Sedrano, San Martino.  Fun!

Brussa

A favorite long ride, from Giais through Pordenone and Portoguaro to Brussa, on the Adriatic coast near Caorle.  The Bora wind was blowing somewhat but not too bad.  The good news: they’ve paved the road all the way to the park entrance. Previously there were a couple of miles of white gravel dust which made your bike, your car, and your body look ghostly.   The beach is stll gorgeous and natural. Long ride home but I paced myself pretty well and didn’t bonk.  Nice ride.

Beautiful Brussa strand

Brussa Laguna

Laguna looking west

Costal plain toward northwest 

Clauzetto - Campone Loop

This is a favorite climb in either direction.  Today I rode it from Meduno to Travesio, Clauzetto, Pradis di Sopra, Campone, Lago Tramontina and again Meduno.   Good climbing practice in lovely surroundings.

Monte Rossa from Pradis

Monte Ciaurelac

Campon

Bucaneve

Casera Valfredda Snowshoe

I heard there was some fresh snow but this was beyond expectations: two or three feet of fluffy virgin snow everwhere.  Every bough and tree limb bending  almost to the ground with the weight.  What joy to hike through this spectacle.  Starting from Ronciade through Casera Caseratte, Valfredda and up to the pass with the three repeater towers, it was all perfect.  I followed the same  route back to the start, then drove back down the mountain, tired and happy.

Mare Adriatico from Col Alto

Casera Valfreddo

Over the pass toward Monte Ciastelat

Snow-burdoned tree limbs 

Upper-right is microwave reflector atop Pala Fontana 

Walking through this grove of ice trees
seems like you're trapped in a chandelier

Livenza - Meduna Confluence

I tried this ride a couple of weeks ago but missed a turn and ended up in Azzano Decimo.
Today I was more careful and made it to the bridges south of Prata.  These rivers are both unusual:  the Meduna flows through the mountains west of Tramonti di Sopra, then south until it disappears into the Magredis  gravel beds.   After a few miles it re-emerges from springs near Cordenons.  It then meanders southwestward to the confluence with Fiume Livenza.

The Livenza starts along the pedemontane below Il Cansiglio altopiano.  The water emerges from a big spring at La Serenissima and Gorgazo cave near Polcenigo.  The water is very clear and fast moving.  It heads south through Sacile and Brugnera before joining the Meduna.  From here the Livenza meanders south to Caorle on the Adriatico.

On the ride home a storm blew through but I didn’t get too wet, just a bagnato gratis.  Fun!

Meduna River bridge

Meduna River bend

Livenza River bridge

Livenza view north toward its origin

Livenza flowing toward the sea