Venezia delle Nevi on Road Bike

I intended to scale the moderate climb from Dardago to end of pavement at Val di Croda this afternoon.  When I reached  end of pavement I noticed the road had been graded fairly smooth and widened.  I continued upward to see how long it lasted.  It just kept going on and on.  All of the scruby trees that had overrun the road were gone, as were the giant piles of boulders that had blocked  the road for decades.  At 1100 meters I quit because snow made it too muddy to continue on a road bike. Will try this on MTB next spring.

Getting too slushy at 1140 meters

Crode di San Tome

We suddenly have a wonderful new climb

Castello di Ragogna

Merry Christmas!  As it turns out  Christmas afternoon is a good time to ride because everyone is feasting with their family.  Roads were deserted.  I rode to Pinzano, across the river to Ragogna and down to the base of the castle.  I’ll return to explore on a longer day.  A slight tailwind helped tired muscles on the ride home.  A lovely cold day for a ride.

WW I artillary emplacement at Pinzano

Fiume Tagliamento at Ragogna

Tagliamento looking north  

Castello di Ragogna

Via Borgo Canalet

Another medium length winter ride, this time through Sarmede, Capelle Magiore and Montaner.   Very steep climb up to Montaner, I stood the whole way, even with rear wheel slipping on frosty bits. Pretty much a perfect bike ride.

Olive grove at  Rugolo

Via Canalet craziness

Colle Umberto

Down through Budoia, Fiaschetti, Caneva, Cordegnano to Colle Umberto, a group of hills out on the plain east of Conegliano.  I rode up the ridge to the castle and headed back down to the pianura.  Took the low road home- much less strenuous.  Very cold but fun.

Travesio Loop

Easy winter ride through Maniago, Meduno, Travesio, Sequals, Arba and home.  Cold but sunny and calm. Nice.

Castello d'Aviano

I’ve passed by this castle hundreds of times but never stopped to look around.  Today I visited and took some fotos.  It’s lovely and I’ll be coming back.  Continued to Budoia and the bike path which passes under the railway line.  Since last time they’ve paved it all the way to the main road to Viganovo.  Beautiful countryside.  On the ride home I finally got a burst of energy and felt like normal again.  Rough autumn this year.

The castle church

Golf course on the plain below

Cedar shaded lane

Side view of castle church

Ruins of castle tower

Ponte della Delizia

Another long flat cold ride, this time through Cordenons, Valvazone to the bridge across the Tagliamento.  I returned home on SS13, making another first crossing of  Ponte Meduna .  Much less bike friendly than Ponte della Delizia: zero tolerance for error.   Rode home on the old route to school through San Quirino.  Good ride.

Fiume Tagliamento flowing to the Adriatico