GOING UPSTREAM ALONG A SPECTACULAR CREEK

Risks are worthy being taken if the landscape is so rewarding! 

I had this valley in my mind since I had been hypnotised by the turquoise waters of the Aupa creek long time ago, while sitting as a passenger upon a bike's rear seat. Now, taking the decision of covering the road SR 112 all alone, riding my own motorcycle, is a completely new story.

THE ROAD 112 CONNECTS THE MOUNTAIN TOWNS OF MOGGIO AND PONTEBBA,
MY TOTAL TRIP LASTED 150 KM

East Northern Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Eastern Carnic Alps.

[County of Udine]

15.05.2022

 

HERE WE ARE: MY BIKE, THE IMPETUOUS CREEK, AND ME!

MIMOSA TREES ARE PLANTED ALONG BOTH SIDES
OF THE FIRST PART OF THE SR 112

THE MOUNTAINS HERE ARE MIGHTY:
SELLA GRAUZARIA OVER THERE IS 2.065 METERS A.S.L. 

SILENCE ALL AROUND: I DIDN'T MEET ANYONE, EXCEPT THREE ISOLATED BIKERS,
EACH OF THEM ALONE, LIKE I WAS.

I STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES TO LISTEN TO THE SOUND OF THE RUSHING WATERS
ENJOY THIS CLIP:

AS I FOLLOWED IT, I WAS MORE AND MORE CAPTURED
BY THE SINUOUS COURSE OF THE CREEK.
HERE'S ANOTHER CLIP:

THIS POINT IS WHERE THE SERIES OF TURNING BENDS BEGIN.
TO MY RIGHT: THE CREEK, NOW DISTANT DOWN THERE, 
AND TO MY LEFT: THE CLIFF FACE OF THE MOUNTAIN NAMED "CRETE DAL CRONZ",
WHOSE MAXIMUM ALTITUDE IS 1.656 METERS A.S.L.
HERE, I WAS RIDING AT A ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 1.065 METERS A.S.L.
SEE THE NEXT PICTURE AND WATCH THE CLIP:

HERE, IN THE FOREST, IS INDICATED THE BORDER BETWEEN THE TWO TOWNS 
THAT ANYONE WHO'S RIDING THE WELL KNOWN ROAD SS 13, INCLUDING ME,
USE TO CONSIDER QUITE FAR AMONG THEM: MOGGIO AND PONTEBBA.
HERE'S ANOTHER SHORT CLIP:

AFTER PASSING THE CROSSING OF SELLA CERESCHIATIS,
ONE CAN RELAX THE MEADOWS OF THE AREA CALLED STUDENA.
ENJOY THE 360° VIEW HERE:

AND FINALLY, AFTER DESCENDING,
THE ARRIVAL AT THE TOWN OF PONTEBBA:
A PLACE THAT NORMALLY I CONSIDERED TO BE  "UP", THIS TIME WAS "DOWN"!
WHAT A GOAL TO ACHIEVE!!! 

THIS BRIDGE REPRESENTS THE TURNING POINT
FOR EACH TRIP DIRECTED TO THE ALPS:
WILL I GO EAST TO THE VAL CANALE OR WEST IN THE CARNIA REGION?
SOMETIMES, I HAVE CLEAR IN MY MIND BEFOREHAND WHICH DIRECTION TO TAKE, 
BUT OTHER TIMES, LIKE THIS ONE, I HAVE NO DEFINITIVE PLANS,
SO I DECIDE THE VERY LAST MOMENT AND IT'S THRILLING!