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<\/a><\/p>\nAbove left: View from Log pod Mangartom towards Jalovec on the way up to the Predel Pass. Above right: Us at Predel Pass on the border of Italy and Slovenia.<\/p>\n We headed down the pass and took a left riding along a very quiet road that gave us four switchbacks to ride up. Following this we had a very long and nice descent down a valley next to a turquoise river a bit like the So\u010da<\/a>. Eventually we joined a larger road and were happy when we discovered a sealed bike path complete with tunnels taking us in the right direction.<\/p>\n It was about time for lunch so we ordered some pretty average food from a pretty average restaurant we came across by the roadside. We then spent some time deliberating whether our route back was possible or whether I had made a planning blunder. It turned out all was ok and we headed up another very quiet valley into a national park. It was nice with very little traffic.<\/p>\n We came across a sign warning us of a 12% climb for the next 4 km. This was a big fat lie. Apart from perhaps 200 m where the gradient was below 12% it was well over the entire time, even up to 18%. Leonie needed a break at one point but due to the slope couldn\u2019t start again without some help. <\/p>\n Still after much panting we made it to the top and had a nice descent down a very narrow road back to the Slovenian border.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n