Another day, another ride: To Roman ruins and pilgrimage churches
Sunday June 9, 2013
This time we start the day with the downhill. We pedal effortlessly towards our first destination, the Roman ruins at Lavant, and just hope that we won't be too tired to enjoy the ride home which will be uphill. Again we have good weather, but it looks moody, the sun is hot, the air is cool, and dark clouds come and go as we ride.
This time we start the day with the downhill. We pedal effortlessly towards our first destination, the Roman ruins at Lavant, and just hope that we won't be too tired to enjoy the ride home which will be uphill. Again we have good weather, but it looks moody, the sun is hot, the air is cool, and dark clouds come and go as we ride.
Views from the valley
When we reach Lavant, we see that the Roman ruins are on the mountainside, not in the village. After several hairpin curves, I am able to have a closer look. Not much to see, actually. Just a couple of stone walls, not much different than the ones around the fields in the valley, and two Roman columns. There are also two little churches next to the ruins.
Pilgrimage church on the hillside near Lavant
We ride a little further down the valley and cross the Drau to Nikolsdorf where we want to get a bite to eat. Alas, Nikolsdorf has nothing to offer cyclists on the Drau Bikepath and dark rain clouds convince us it would be a good idea to head back to camp.
Roadside crucifix with the Dolomites as a backdrop
In Dölsach a restaurant beckons and despite the threat of rain, we stop for a proper Sunday meal. It was good and powered us (as well as batteries on our e-bikes) for a fast ride home. We get to the campground when the first fat rain drops hit the ground. Just in time to take in our laundry!