Her husband probably didn't know that the cycling ascent by asphalt road to Krvavec, or better to the mountain pasture lakes Planina Jezerca, is considered among the most difficult in our country, perhaps second only to the ascent to mountain pass Mangartsko sedlo, and he took up the challenge without enough training.

From Cerklje, or Grad vas in vicinity, to Planina Jezerca where the asphalt surface ends, in close to 12 kilometres the road rises by almost 1000 metres, and on two very steep sections the slope reaches almost 15%. Now and then it levels a bit, while the exhausting turning of pedals is made somewhat easier by exquisite views the ride offers.

Each year a competition for the King and the Queen of Krvavec is organized on this route. Matej Lovše, the fastest rider this year, needed a little bit less than 39 minutes to reach the top, and Špela Škrajnar as the fastest female contestant 46 minutes and a half – but all of you who climb to the top in approximately one hour should be really proud of yourself!

The ascent begins in Grad near Cerklje na Gorenjskem: you pass Brnik and follow the signs towards Krvavec, The distance from Ljubljana is 35 kilometres. At the very beginning of the ascent the road leads left towards the cable car to Krvavec, and then you turn right towards Ambrož below Krvavec. From the very start it is obvious the ascent is going to be a difficult one!

The road goes up steeply, the gradient remains constantly 10%, and it continues up for further three and a half kilometres. Therefore start with a uniform, moderate rate – and perhaps with a little bit of reserve.

One kilometre to rest, then up again
After tiring opening kilometres with a hard turn left somewhere in between the road turns right towards Šenturska gora. The road levels, it even descends for a bit, and the rest is very appreciated! For a short time you drive through a wood, and then reach the meadows where you get the first glimpse of the exceptional view. Storžič on your rights dominates the landscape. Here you turn right and the steepness increases again. We could call it the second stage of the tour, the second part of the ascent which takes you, during next 4 kilometres, up for another 350 meters.

At this point the view opens – the road, with the average slope of around 7 percent, at some points even more, winds in serpentines along the slopes of Krvavec and passes a number of cottages in Ambrož below Krvavec. Your eyes will dwell on the valley below, and you will notice the runway of the airport in Brnik, Ljubljana and Šmarna gora in the distance, and if you look back also the Julian Alps with Triglav.

The steepest part starts three and a half kilometres below the top
Once you reach the road branching towards the tourist farm Pr' Ambružarju with the meadow in front used by parachute jumpers, you will have reached the altitude of thousand metres above the sea level. The third stage and the steepest part of the route is now ahead of you. On your way to Jezerce your passion for cycling will be sorely tested by up to15 percent incline!

The next 600 metres will be difficult, but then it gets a little less steeper. Three more kilometres are left till the top, and if you are capable and willing, you can start pushing the pedals a bit harder.

You will ride through a forest, make two steep turns, but otherwise the last part of the road is level and you can see far ahead. When you pass the fence and the warning that while on the pastures you ride on your own responsibility, you are almost there. You pass the cars, and on the left you can already see the TV transmitter, and in front of you the information board – the sign you have conquered the ascent.

An earnest test of your cycling condition
The ascent to Krvavec finishes at almost 1400 metres above the sea level; it is one of the highest asphalt roads in Slovenia, and several times the professional cyclists ended the Tour of Slovenia here. The described route is therefore a must, a necessary achievement for every recreational cyclist who takes himself or herself seriously. Those with a mountain bike can continue the ascent, those most fit almost till the top of Krvavec, to Zvoh.

If you show enough respect for the ascent we described, and don't push yourself too much, the steep slope will turn from a necessary evil into a pleasant test of your cycling condition, rewarded by beautiful vistas of the landscape of our country. And if you are well prepared, perhaps you will be the one to wait for your fellow-cyclists on the top!

Uroš Bonšek, translated by G. K., foto: Peter Podbevšek