Bikes tightly packed on the overnight train from Banja Luka to Belgrade. The conductors didn't think we could do it, and nearly wouldn't let us on until we could prove it... and sweet talk them a little bit, with our awesome sweet talking abilities... see below:
Visions of the band playing for Nikola's birthday, while Nikola and Marija danced the night away. Belgrade, Skardarska St.
Visions of the band playing for Nikola's birthday, while Nikola and Marija danced the night away. Belgrade, Skardarska St.
Nikola and Marija dancing the night away... see below:
A bit of riding on the way to Banja Luka. This was shortly before we got off the bikes and started walking uphill. Spirits were none too high... abundant cursing soon followed. See below for example:
Making friends along the way to Banja Luka, Bosnia. Joel and Fitzy with the family that befriended us later that evening, after the long, misguided, convoluted ride (see above), finally came to an end. The ride involved walking the bikes up a mountain to get to a road we'd already been on twice before and turned off of twice, in search of a better route. Not good, but the family went above and beyond to welcome us and find us a good campsite. They made a fire for us, cooked all of their extra food, and gave it to us. It rained later that night, unrelated.
Making more friends, once into Banja Luka, Nikola and his son, Nikica, bike racing, rally racing, fast car building duo.
Fitzy (or is that Phil "satchmo-bono-sergio-satchmo-the-satchmo-edge-chi chi-satchmo-larry mullins jr.- soriano-satchmo-greg weckenbrock-satchmo-my good buddy cal-satchmo-bono-bono-satchmo" Michelson...? inside joke, as you would have guessed...too many hours on the bikes...) lines up for a difficult, technical approach shot on number 14. The hole is in the top of the Pyramid. Marija, the owner of the Hotel Dragana/ golf course stands and watches. Very hospitable, open, and genuine people. and a good place to stay, or have a wedding... A good way to pass a Sunday in Banja Luka at any rate.
Dubrovnik-Montenegro (This post starts from the bottom up... by the way... got confused on my directions, apologies.
National Park Durmitor, Montenegro. Beautiful, very Colorado-esque. Just before we rode up into a cloud that shrouded our highest pass yet. We were stuck in it the next 45 minutes as we rode up and over. Very cold and wet, though a nice change to the heat of the Croatian coast.
Descending from the highest summit, out of the rain, fog, wind, and misery:
Still stuck in the fog:
Stuck in the fog- "scud" flying:
Heading up, into the heart of Durmitor National Park, via, the highest road/highest summit we will have climbed by the end of the trip:
After 3 days of riding up, we finally approach Durmitor National Park:
Arrival into Montenegro. Fitzy and Joel hanging out with local kids. We liked Montenegro very much, as the land is amazing and the people are as well. Very friendly, open, curious, and genuine.
Laundry hanging out to dry over Dubrovnik. Seen from the high city wall, sunset.
Porporela Peir, Dubrovnik. Fitzy and Joel telling stories... just kidding. -not actually Fitzy and Joel.
Spitfire-Poderosa, rides above Dubrovnik. It had been my personal goal to reach Dubrovnik and follow the footsteps of my Dad and Aunt Gail. Spitfire-poderosa, the name of my bike is a tribute to the car they drove to Dubrovnik in 1970. Poderosa is a tribute to El Che, whose motorcycle ride across South America was the other source of my dream.
Crowded, narrow street Dubrovnik, dusk. View from atop city wall. Sideways... sorry about that. Dubrovnik's an absolutely amazing city though. Ancient and magical.
Visions of the band playing for Nikola's birthday, while Nikola and Marija danced the night away. Belgrade, Skardarska St.
Visions of the band playing for Nikola's birthday, while Nikola and Marija danced the night away. Belgrade, Skardarska St.
