Some mornings just feel like they’re inviting you outside. This one was like that—clear skies, air still cool from the night, the sun promising warmth but not yet in a rush. I decided it would be a perfect day for a ride. And, since I like my adventures with a dash of practicality, I gave the trip a purpose: ride from Tržič to Begunje to pick up a traditional Avsenik CD for grandma.
The best part about starting in Tržič is that you get the steep stuff out of the way right from the start. The kind of hill that makes your thighs complain, but also wakes you up better than any coffee could. From there, it’s a rhythm of rolling slopes, each turn revealing another piece of the landscape, until the road tips downward into that cool, refreshing descent into Begunje.
Somewhere along the way, I spotted a baby bird by the roadside—small, alive with curiosity, completely unbothered by my presence. It felt like a tiny, unplanned gift crossing the road.
By the time I reached Begunje, I was grinning so hard it felt like my face might split in half. But as I rolled up to the Avsenik shop, reality chimed in: I hadn’t checked the opening hours. The place was still closed, and wouldn’t open for another two hours.
No matter. I found a sunny spot for coffee, let my legs rest, and watched the small-town life go by—old friends greeting each other, cyclists passing through, a couple of tourists taking pictures of the church. I soaked it in.
The ride back was just as beautiful, even if Strava decided to give up halfway through and pretend it never happened. In Križe, I spotted a bird of prey, closer than I’d ever seen one sitting on a wooden post, eyes locked on the ground. It was just sitting there, unafraid.
When I got home, I didn’t have the CD, but I had a ride full of unexpected sights, encounters with birds, and the kind of quiet joy you can’t plan for.
Bike: Road bike or gravel bike
Essentials: helmet, gloves, water bottle, basic repair kit
Clothing: Comfortable cycling attire suitable for moderate temperatures