OFFROADER: SLOVENIA 28thSEPTMBER - 2nd OCTOBER

RIDE OVERVIEW

A 3.5 stage off road epic from Lake Bled to the Adriatic in beautiful Slovenia through national parks, mountains, coastal paths, picturesque valleys and glacial lakes.

Stages average around 100km per day on world class gravel roads off the beaten track.

Each day finishes in spectacular venues including a marina, castle & mountain park with local food & a local brewery. We stay in comfortable 4* hotels each night with fun post ride socials. A real off road epic ??

THREE STAGES & PROLOGUE | 310KM

RIDE DIFFICULTY 4/5

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY 1.5/5

PERCENTAGE OF ROUTE OFF ROAD 75%

Terrain & Bike Choice: The route is 75% off road on mostly smooth gravel roads with some forest paths & bridleways. This event is perfect for a gravel bike with 36mm+ tyres. The off road is much more flowing than in the UK and late Sept is the ideal time to ride in Slovenia. We will send a full equipment advice email before the ride.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

RIDE ENTRY

A fully signed route with one prologue and three full stages. This is not a race but you will get a ride number and timing chip to record your time.

ACCOMMODATION

Four nights in four star hotels from the lakeside Hotel Jezero to Hotel Histrion on the shores of the Adriatic.

LOCAL FOOD

Breakfast, feed stops & lunch included. At the end of each stage we have a local brewery with snacks and a food truck following the route each day serving lunch at the second feed. Vegan options available.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Return transfers from Ljubljana included. Your luggage will be moved from hotel to hotel each night and your bike boxes will be transferred from the first hotel in Bled to the last hotel. Transfers times:
28th Sept, transfers leave Ljubjana at 11am (arrive before 10.30am) and 4.30pm (arrive before 4pm).
2nd Oct, transfers arrive back at Ljubjana at 1pm (leave after 3pm) and 7pm (leave after 9pm)

FULL RIDE SUPPORT

We have multiple support vans, mechanics at the ride start, support riders on the route and a emergency number to call if you need anything on the route so you can just focus on riding your bike and enjoying the beautiful country.

RIDE HIGHLIGHTS

Perfect gravel roads on each stage

Ride between Lake Bled & Lake Bohinj through the stunning Triglav national park.

Stunning section along the emerald Soca River.

Final stage through wine country & along the Adriatic coast

Stage finishes at a castle, mountain park & marina ending with beers at sunset over the Adriatic

THE ROUTE

THREE STAGES & PROLOGUE (310KM)

After a 30km prologue on arrival day to the east of Lake Bled, the route takes us from the lakes to the coast on mostly fast flowing gravel roads. The route is fully signed with regular feed stops so you can ride at your own pace and take in the stunning scenery.

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: 4/5

STAGE ONE

BLED TO BOHINJSKA BISTRICA: 80KM | 1,940M

A stunning stage between two lakes in the foothills of the Julian Alps. The route takes us first around the world’s famous and Slovenian most beloved Lake Bled. After enjoying stunning sights of lake, the route takes us up to the Pokljuka plateau in the Triglav National Park.

Here the route runs through extraordinary alpine pastures – Uskovnica, Zajamniki and Zajavornik. From here we descend to Lake Bohinj where we finish along the crystal blue Sava river. Rolling terrain throughout with a couple of climbs, the stage finishes in a mountain park with a local brewery and regional snacks to enjoy with fellow riders.

Stunning alpine scenery with two world famous lakes at either end of the day makes this an unforgettable stage.

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: 3.5/5

STAGE TWO

BOHINJSKA BISTRICA TO KROMBERK CASTLE: 80KM, 2140M

Stage two starts with a train ride on the Bohinj railway route – one of the most beautiful mountain railways in the Alps. This takes us to the stage start in the Soča Valley.

The route takes us here through the Soča gorge, one of the most beautiful natural sights and an important natural treasure of National Park where we ride along the emerald green Soča River. We then get to Lokovec, the longest Slovenian village. This region is famous with tradition of blacksmithing, you can find the Blacksmith Museum here..

We will finish our ride at Kromberk Castle, the Renaissance castle from the 17th century near Nova Gorica on the Italian Border.

Probably the hardest stage of the three with some climbing at the start, the variety on this stage is stunning with a mix of mountains, traditional villages & glorious gravel in the Soca Valley.

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: 4/5

STAGE THREE

NOVA GORICA TO PORTOROŽ MARINE: 110KM, 2160M

The final stage takes us from the Italian border inland through wine country and then to the coast. We roll through the Karst region, famous for it’s local prosciutto, Kraški Pršut, and Teran wine.

As we get close to the coast we join the Parenzana trail on an old railway line before finishing through the stunning seaside village of Piran and into the marina in Portoroz, the perfect place to share a beer with fellow riders watching the sunset at the end of a three day epic.

Another rolling day, this is the longest stage and with over 2,000m of elevation, the beer at the finish will be well earned!

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: 4/5

FAQS

WHAT TYPE OF BIKE SHOULD I RIDE?

This route is made for gravel bikes with 36mm+ tyres. Most of the stages are on fast flowing gravel with a few forest tracks with slightly rougher terrain. There are some back roads so all rounder tyres will be best. We will send equipment advice nearer the time.

ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?

No, you need to book your own flights to Ljubjana. We have two transfers on arrival day to Bled and two transfers back on 2nd Oct.

IS THERE A CUT OFF TIME EACH DAY?

No, we have support riders and vans at the back of the course but there are no time cut offs and we encourage riders to stop for photos, chat with each other and enjoy the ride.

WHAT SHALL I PACK?

We will send a full packing list but you will need one large soft bag. Bring clothing for the evenings, any spares you need and riding kit for sunshine and changeable weather in the mountains.

WILL I BE RIDING WITH OTHER PEOPLE?

We will set you off each day in small groups but you can ride at your own pace. The whole route is signposted with regular feed stops so you can go as hard or easy as you like, meeting other riders at the end of the day.

WHAT TIME ARE THE AIRPORT TRANSFERS?

On 28th Sept, transfers leave Ljubjana at 11am (arrive before 10.30am) and 4.30pm (arrive before 4pm).

On 2nd Oct, transfers arrive back at Ljubjana at 1pm (leave after 3pm) and 7pm (leave after 9pm)

CAN I SHARE A TWIN ROOM WITH A FRIEND?

Yes, you can book two shared twin packages or book separately and we will send a form asking if you want to share with someone specific.

ARE RENTAL BIKES AVAILABLE?

Yes, we have Scott Speedster 20 Gravel Bikes available in S, M, L & XL. These are £199 for the ride & available to book in the cart.

DO I GET A REFUND IF THE TRIP IS CANCELLED DUE TO COVID?

If the tour is cancelled due to Covid, you will get a full refund within 14 days of cancellation. Book your place on OffRoader Slovenia with a £99 deposit, balance is then due 90 days before departure.