Beautiful Biograd
Croatia Stage 9 – Wed 27th May 2015 – Šibenik to Biograd na Moru (61 Km)
Intending to set off early for today’s 65 Km ride, I over slept and had to hastily rustle up some breakfast and pack up my panniers. Finally hit the road around 9:30 am and faced a stiff head wind as I wound my way up the first climb. The traffic was heavy for the first 10 Km but then I was thankful to my Garmin for directing me to turn left onto a quiet, smooth tertiary road that took me through some delightful little seaside towns like Srima, Vodice, Pirovac and Drage.
A feature of today’s ride was the colour of the water, ranging from azure blue to turquoise to emerald green. The Adriatic really sparkles when the sun is shining. Another feature was the number of immaculate houses and villas along the way, with beautiful stonework and manicured gardens.
I re-joined the D8 but the traffic was reasonable light and the road was flat and good so I made good time. I decided on a dirt track approach into Biograd na Moru and was rewarded by the sight of a couple of shepherds herding their sheep and goats, as well as some delightful little farms over-run with free range chickens.
Biograd na Moru is another quaint, pretty, seaside town, with lots of ferries, boats, yachts, catamarans, caffe bars, restorans, and gelaterias – which I have developed a habit of heading for as soon as I arrive in a new town. The villa I am staying at tonight is fairly flash but has no electric jug, which means I will be green tea-less again tonight. In fact last night’s apartmeni in Šibenik is the first one I have stayed at in the last two weeks that has provided one. It must be a plot to drive us to the caffe bars! Speaking of which, I had a nice surprise this afternoon when I was riding my bike along the foreshore. A voice called out asking if I wanted to join him for a drink and when I looked closer I saw it was Richard (the British gentleman who now lives in the south of Spain) who I had a coffee with yesterday in Primošten. We had a pleasant chat for an hour or two before going ours separate ways. Who know we may bump into each other again somewhere.
Tomorrow should be fairly easy, as I am catching a Jadrolinija car ferry across to Tkon on the island of Pašman, riding about 30 Km to Preko on the adjoining island of Ugljan, then catching another ferry from there to Zadar. Should be a nice relaxing, cruisy, day under blue skies again.
