SURPRISING SATURDAY RIDE IN SUNNY SOUTHERN AUSTRIA

IT'S EARLY SEPTEMBER AND STILL THE EXPLOSION OF SUMMER IS GOING ON,
AS AN INVITATION TO SAIL AWAY INTO THE SUNSHINE

An unexpected welcoming received by the most playful Austrian city.

Northern Eastern Italy and Southern Austria 

[Counties of Udine (Italy) + Carinthia (Austria)]

04.09.2021

It has been all so exhilarating!

Rode to Velden am Wörthersee for shopping, and found the city completely transformed in a retreat for bikers!

TOTAL DISTANCE COVERED: 175 MILES
(STARTING POINT IS ALWAYS MY HOMETOWN:SAN DANIELE DEL FRIULI - UDINE -ITALY)

what a sight: when the parking signal reads “for bikers only”!

VELDEN, EUROPAPLATZ

VELDEN, SEECORSO

MARIA WÖRTH

MARIA WÖRTH

WÖRTHERSEE, KLAGENFURTSTRAßE

THE 1987 STONE SCULPTURE OF A GOLF GTI IN REIFNITZ 

ON THE WAY BACK HOME: SOMEWHERE NEAR THE BORDERLINE BETWEEN AUSTRIA AND ITALY

ME AND MY BIKE HAPPILY ENJOYING VELDEN!

I'LL ALWAYS KEEP IN MY HEART THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES' OF SUCH A SPECIAL DAY!

GETTING TIMELESS IN THE VALLEY OF TIME!

RUNNING FASTER OR DECREASING SPEED: I PERFORMED BOTH, AND ANYWAY
I MANAGED TO FIND MYSELF SOMEHOW OUT OF TIME ALONG THIS ROAD...

 

A ride beyond time to visit a little mountain village known as the "town of the clocks".

East Northern Italy 

[County of Udine]

25.08.2021

EXHILARATING ROADTRIP OF 93 MILES IN THE VALLEY OF TIME

It has been so amazing!

The Val Pesarina (Pesarina Valley) is known as the "valley of time": in fact, in this valley there's a long-standing tradition of clock making, beginning back in the XVII century, when the town of Pesariis was a crafts centre in which blacksmiths practised their art widely, paving the way for more refined manufacturing techniques.

The Fratelli Solari company, founded in 1725 in Pesariis, has became worldwide famous for producing clocks set in belfries, churches, castles, town hall buildings, stations and railways. 

Now, a Museum in Pesariis houses over 100 clocks from various periods, originating in different areas. Plus, the entire valley celebrates the counting of time with monumental clockworks, sundials and pieces of art dedicated to astronomy and time.

Only in the town of Pesariis there's an outdoor itinerary of 12 monumental clockworks and severals sundials: to see them, you just ride or walk along the roads of the hamlet of this tiny village!

It's a very fascinating and unique open-air museum. 

Click here for more touristic information: 

clockmaking museum in Pesariis

Pesariis, the town of clocks

Beside this, the landscape of the Dolomite mountains is majestic. In this trip, I decided to arrive till the point where the road meets the feet of the Mountain called "Creton di Clap Grande", precisely at the KM 18 (=11th mile) of the national road SS465, and then to head back to home.

ME, RESTING AT THE GIANT ROCK BELOW THE CRETON DI CLAP GRANDE MOUNTAIN

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE ROAD SP 355

ENTERING THE PESARINA VALLEY

THE ZODIAC CLOCK

THE PLANETARY CLOCK

THE EXACT POINT WHERE I REACHED 5.000 KM ON MY ODOMETER

REACHING MY TARGET BELOW THE CRETON DI CLAP GRANDE MOUNTAIN
(THE PICTURE LOOKS TOWARDS NORTH)

SAME POINT, LOOKING TOWARDS SOUTH 

         WATCH A SHORT CLIP SHOWING THE 360° PANORAMIC VIEW

          AT THE FEET OF CRETON DI CLAP GRANDE MOUNTAIN:

          

ALONG THE SS 465, POINTING BACK HOME
STOPPING TO CAPTURE SOME SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE DOLOMITES

 

MY ODOMETER!

Curiously, in this roadtrip I had the sensation that time does not exist, in a sense, or at least it seemed to me that the way we perceive time as a continuity is an illusion, and so I felt ...timeless! 

And, instead of paying attention to my watch (which I do not wear at all, btw) I directed my focus to my speedometer 'cause today I hit the target of 5.000 KM (3.106 miles)!

VISIT TO A FASCINATING COLLECTION OF OLD INDIANS

Do you know that...? 

ME MEETING RENATO ZERVINI ON HIS '47 CHIEF IN LIGNANO SABBIADORO 2019

...that beside riding and writing, what I'm passionate about is video making?

And when I tie all my passions together... voilà: the result is videos dedicated to motorcycling.

🤩🏍💪🏽🏁❤️🎬

I recently visited Renato Zervini, a well experienced motorcyclist and a surprising collector of precious antique "irons" who lives not too far from my place.

I had met him two years ago at the Bikerfest in Lignano Sabbiadoro - Italy, better said we were put in contact by one of the organizers, who noticed that both of us were riding Indians. Only …he was there with his red ‘47 Chief and at first I felt totally intimidated ‘cause I knew nothing about old bikes… 🤭 

But this year, among other projects, I committed to learn a few things about history and mechanics… 🤓🔧

So, I waited till I had some basic notions to at least be confident enough and present myself to his place, and asked him to show me his collection.

And that’s what I did! 

Being there was great and I felt so inspired! 😍

I found out that Renato owns an impressive high number of antique motorcycles (19, to be precise), among them several Indians and almost all are perfectly functioning or in the process to be fully restored… 

So, I’m presenting here a series of short videos I've made dedicated to the Indians I saw there.

😊🎬⭐️🏍🇺🇸

1) Renato Zervini's 1947 Indian Chief!

…simply spectacular… like riding on the wings of history with a timeless wind blowing upon your face…

                                                                                                                - - - 

2) …also belonging to Renato Zervini's motorcycles collection: a fabulous flawless and fully performing 1929 Indian Scout 101 with sidecar! 

1929 INDIAN SCOUT 101 WITH SIDECAR

click on the following link in order to watch the video dedicated to this beauty:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y8aqiee8RtUa79HY__P_BHiaIyVVVU6d/view?usp=sharing
Beware! Here in this clip you’ll also meet the legendary Robertino ‘Muro della Morte’ Zanon, who rode for a lifetime authentic Indians on his audacious Wall of Death artistic shows!

 - - - 

3) 1924 Indian Scout 600: no need for an introduction! 
Thanks again to Renato Zervini and Roberto "Wall of Death" Zanon. 

1924 INDIAN SCOUT 600

click on the following link in order to watch the video describing the story of this restoration project:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uqu8hlzekKbuLpCX8qXCe_1AbekD2982/view?usp=sharing
                                                                            

 - - -

Did you like these videos? Well: there will be more! 

Renato also owns a unique specimen of a 1929 Indian Daytona 1200cc … 
...and the footage of it will be coming soon!
🇺🇸🏍🏍🇺🇸

Bye for now!

GOOD OLD ROADS, BRAND NEW PLACES

I've enjoyed this roadtrip so much... that I'm already looking forward for the next one! 

An exciting ride through biker-friendly roads, spotting nice views and appealing sites

East Northern Italy and Southern Austria

[County of Udine (Italy) + Carinthia (Austria)]

20.06.2021

ROADTRIP OF EXACTLY 200 MILES, OUT AND ABOUT THE ALPS

I just love these old mountain roads! 

The inviting and spectacular B111, locally known as Gailtalstraße (=the road of the valley of the Gail river), is definitely among my top absolutely favourite ones.

The smooth and sweet B87, immersed in the flavours and smells of the countryside,  always beams me back, like in a sort of peaceful beyond-time dimension, and I adore that sensation! For instance, you can find yourself passing by a herd of cows and spotting a "fresh milk" signal nearby.

Plus, the solid and reassuring B100 or Drautalstraße (=the road of the valley of the Drau river), internationally labeled as "E66" [or "ROUTE E66" by me 😜], is an important European way of connection, whose purpose is to link together Hungary with Italy, by covering a total of 404 miles, mostly across the territory  of Austria. 

These 3 roads, each one of them, entail pleasant surprises, welcoming places and unique views, deserving all your attention.

I've have experienced such a variety of emotions in this small portion of Carinthia, the extreme southern Austrian region.

Here are the highlights...

entering Austria from Italy after the last Corona Lockdown like "I'm back, folks!"

...savouring Nature along the panoramic B87.

this is just before the funny serpentines of the last part of the B87 direction North

wild animals signals are legit here: I met several kind of creatures who were
 trying to cross the road (or sadly had attempted to, without success 🥺)

a break along the majestic B100/E66

the beauty of the Austrian countryside is stunning

"THE RENEGADE": an American Steak and Grill House in the City of Spittal an der Drau

The US-MILITARY-SHOP in the city of Villach, since 1983

There's a yummy menu waiting for you at the "H&H Lunchbox" in Hart/Regensdorf,
a Hamburger Trattoria near the borderline with Italy.

This used to be also the location of the Marameo Café (since 1978),
till they moved to the main entrance of the shopping center "Atrio" in Villach.

Plus, there's a brand new shop of Italian products here,
which is also a take away for typical Italian food from my region: Friuli Venezia Giulia!

A RIDE BEYOND THE CLOUDS

ENJOYING THE GLORIOUS VIEW OF THE PEAKS SURROUNDING SAPPADA

 AS SOON AS THE CLOUDS LEAVE!

                       

Running faster than the changing weather to enjoy the hairpin bends

East Northern Italy (Regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto)

[Counties of Udine and Belluno]

16.08.2020

A ROADTRIP OF 120 MILES TO TOUCH THE SKY BEYOND THE CLOUDS

It's a perfect day to take my motorcycle and I decide to go direction North-West relatively to my hometown, and to arrive to the majestic mountains that mark the borderline between two Italian regions Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto. My double aim is 1) to visit the town of Sappada, reachable through a majestic serpentine and 2) to ride in spite of the threatening clouds, that could announce a thunderstorm!

Enjoy the pictures...

FIRST STOPOVER: BREAKFAST AT SOT LA MONT 'S IN CARNIA (NEAR THE TOWN OF VENZONE):
THE NAME OF THIS BAR IS IN THE LOCAL DIALECT, AND MEANS UNDER THE MOUNTAIN

  

IN THE NICE TOWN OF RAVASCLETTO, KNOW AS A TOURISTIC LOCATION FOR WINTER SPORTS

RIGOLATO IS CALLED "THE FLOURISHED TOWN"

THE ENTRANCE TO THE RIVER'S PUB, A COOL "WATERING HOLE" DEDICATED TO BIKERS
IT'S LOCATED NEAR THE DEGANO CREEK, NEAR THE TOWN OF COMEGLIANS

ON MY WAY BACK HOME, I DECIDED TO STOP BY THE BRIDGE OVER THE DEGANO CREEK 
NEAR THE RIVER'S PUB, PREVIOUSLY VISITED, JUST FOR A SELF SHOT IN THE SUN! 

CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON WHILE I STARTED TO CLIMB THE PANORAMIC ROAD SR 355 AFTER THE TOWN OF FORNI AVOLTRI 

MIDDLE WAY SOME DROPLETS OF RAIN WERE FALLING
WHILE I STOPPED TO HAVE A LOOK FROM THE DISTANCE
OF THE MOUNTAIN "CRESTA DI ENGHE" (7.919 feet height)  

FINALLY, I WAS ON THE SERPENTINE UP TO THE TOWN OF SAPPADA 

AND THE CLOUDS BEGAN TO DISSIPATE. 

WHEN I REACHED THE TOP, THE SUN WAS SHINING ON A BLUE BLUE SKY!

RIDING BEYOND SAPPADA INTO THE TERRITORY OF THE REGION CALLED VENETO.

CLIMBING DOWN FROM SAPPADA, IN A COMPLETELY SUNNY SERPENTINE NOW

ON MY WAY BACK, I MADE A DETOUR TO VISIT THE WELLSPRING OF WATER
 MARKETED AS "GOCCIA DI CARNIA" IN PIERABECH NEAR THE TOWN OF FORNI AVOLTRI

GETTING NEAR TO MY HOME, ALONG THE  ROAD SR512