Alpe-Adria 2/4 - a bike tour from the Adriatic to the Alps - Udine to Resiutta

Stage 2 Udine to Resiutta - 9^th July - 60km

Udine to Resiutta

Udine to Resiutta profile - not too steep

Another day, another Breakfast Buffet. This was a really good spread and despite my best efforts I made little impact upon the piles of food available. Bit of rain, unfortunately, so once I had raised the bike from the cellar, I gingerly pedalled over the cobbles. Don’t think I would make a Classics racer somehow. Getting out of cities is not my strong point but I managed to get to the outskirts of Udine without any problems.

The cycle paths were fine but unfortunately I ended up in an out of town shopping area with multiple roundabouts, bit like a UK new town. I had gone too far west. I could have turned back to follow the valley but would probably have ended up on the Autostrada or back in Udine. Decided to head for the hills and took a route through Martignacco and Moruzzo towards Colloredo di Monte Albano.
Is this the way to Colloredo? Had to ask the way a couple of times so it’s worth choosing a destination that

This must be the way to Coloredo

is pronounceable, I managed not to say Amarillo. There were a couple of pretty steep inclines but it was a lovely route through the countryside, I kidded myself that it was worth the effort. Why stay in the valley with its traffic and urban sprawl when there are vineyards and fields of corn to pedal past. Colloredo had a cake shop so had to stop for elevenses.

Elevenses in a small Italian Cafe in Coloredo

The place was very new and absolutely pristine. My chosen morning snack was foccato, bit of a cross between a pizza and an omelette. While it was being heated I watched the comings and goings. A Lady from the Hairdressers next door tried to mount the steps in her Fiat as she tried to park. Managed to stop her before she ended up inside and no damage was done. They wanted to know where I was from, where I was going and I was given more route advice. ‘It's Saturday, it will be quiet, take the main road’ was the general consensus. The place was so nice I asked if I could take a picture. I also said how much I had enjoyed the focatto and the Lady GAVE me another. Altogether a brilliant Italian interlude on my route North. Pedalled away and joined the main road to Buja where I turned off on a quiet road to take me towards Gemona. By now it was raining heavily. At a junction I spotted the Holux finding Dutch couple again. We all stopped at a Cafe and I bought them a Cappuccino  They have an Apartment House near Spitall in Carinthia and were on their way home from a tour in Slovenia. As soon as there was a break in the rain they were off and I followed soon after. My destination was Venzone and I took the main road. It had a shoulder to cycle on so was not too bad.

Before the Earthquake struck in 1976

After the Earthquake in 1976

Venzone

The perfect streets of Venzone

Venzone was destroyed by an earthquake in 1976 but has been faithfully restored. It possibly looks a bit too perfect but they have done a great job. I had a good look round in the drizzle before heading for the Tourist Office. It was too early to stop for the night so they gave me options for my next overnight. The very helpful chap printed off a list of Hotels in the Area. One of the two Hotels in Resiutta seemed to be the most logical choice and I was advised to take the main road. Resiutta is the start of the former railway Line, now bicycle track, that leads to Austria. The road to Resiutta followed a wide river valley, one of those that are more gravel than water.

Down by the River Fella

Quite a gradual incline so it was easy cycling at a good speed and the rain was warm! I celebrated my arrival with a big slice of Strudel in the Cafe in town. Not a very exciting town have to say. I imagine that with the building of the parallel Autostrada and the closing of the Railway it lost a lot of business. It was also badly damaged by the 1976 Earthquake. My Hotel was down by the main road. It had seen better days. The owner was welcoming, particularly to my bike. Bring it inside, your room is upstairs. 40 Euros per night. Bit disconcerted by the African decorators painting the corridor outside my room but my room was clean. Had a doze and dried out. Lots of jabbering from the corridor outside kept me from going into a deeper slumber. A break in the rain allowed a bit of a wander and I discovered a very pleasant area as I walked away from the main road. Rushing streams and pools. I imagine it’s a good place for a paddle on a hot day.

Chicken Dinner

Back at the main road there was a very popular restaurant specialising in chicken so my evening meal was half a chicken with chips and a salad. It was bit of a transport cafe but the food was good and the price keen. Plenty of comings and goings so good for people watching. And so to bed, thankfully the corridor was now quiet. Nice coat of fresh emulsion though. With the benefit of hindsight I would probably have stayed at Moggio Udinese on the North side of the River and then joined the cycle path further along. Paid the penalty for not buying and carrying some detailed maps I suppose.

Resiutta

Away from the main valley in Resiutta

Mountain Stream near Resiutta