Finding the end of the Drau cycle path

When I’m on my bike, I’m always writing my daily blog in my head.  As the day progresses things change so much, today is no exception.

The end of the cycle path now has little significance.  The Drauradweg finishes in Varazdin; the Drava bike website finishes just beyond Legrad where we ended up today, supposedly at the confluence of the Mura. Talking to a local at the site today, who informed us that the Drau River finishes at the confluence of the Danube some 200km away.  The rise in the river in 2014 moved the confluence of the Mura a little further downstream. Three weeks ago the river rose again 1m higher that 2014, he showed us on a sign. … and to top it off across the river and over a small hill is Hungary.

All a matter of interpretation for the end.  So well done us … it’s complete and I’d recommended the Drauradweg to cyclists.

The highlight of the day was lunch, thanks to our friend who gave us so much local knowledge … we asked if there was anywhere to eat in Legrad, a couple of kms away, yes there is a restaurant by the church.

We were the only diners in an alfresco area, backing onto a very leafy park, lovely music.  2 beers and yes we would like to eat.  The menu was very fancy, the chef came and introduced himself, advising that the pasta was homemade also some of the cheeses, everything sourced locally.

A complimentary appetiser, homemade ice-cream.  The dishes were presented immaculately, I had a glass of Sauvignon Blanc which was the best I’ve ever tasted.  The meals were amazing.  Michelin Star quality … I say.

A short 14km flat ride to a train station to go back to Varazdin … there is a replacement bus … for some of the way, maintenance on the track.

And not to forget the ride today through little villages, corn and lots of spent sunflower crops, how pretty it would have been some weeks ago when the sunflowers would have been at their prime … we all like green and gold!  Getting tired of the farming route, we take a route nearer to the river, along a levy on the banks Jezero Dubrava; a reservoir on the Drau, a nice alternative … we see and hear the starting gun of the Prelog Wild Triathlon 2023, swimmers in a small lake, then from our birds eye view on the levy, see the cyclists ride by after their swim, only to join them at the rear as our levy path runs out.

Well that’s 4 weeks gone and a other 2 off the bucket list.