MTB Učka: Lovran – Mala Učka – Balin

Country: Croatia
 Mountain: Učka/Mala Učka – Balin
Length: 43 km
Elevation gain: 1350 m
Maximum elevation:  880 m
Technical difficulty: 4/5
Download GPS TrackMala Učka_Balin_Cyclotrail
Date of ride: 31.03.2019.
Suitable for E-bike: Yes

Today, I wanted to ride another route, but my friends prepared something else for me. They’ve got some interesting gpx file and  outvoted me, so we went to Mala Učka and peak Balin. Initial plan was to go on peak Vojak, but we decided to leave that trip for another time. Our route started in Lovran, and first part is on paved road that goes through Liganj, Janjetići and Tuliševica. At 7th km, after Tuliševica we go right to unpaved road that leads to Mala Učka. All the way to Mala Učka is unpaved road with some short singletrack sections. (Two years after we went again this route and parked our car in Moćenička Draga, which is better because when you descend you are closer to car.)

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MTB Krk Baška – Obzova

Country: Croatia
Region: Island Krk/Obzova peak
Length: 32,5 km
Elevation gain: 980 m
Maximum elevation:  569 m
Technical difficulty: 4/5
Download GPS TrackKrk Obzova Cyclotrail
Date of ride: 02.03.2019.
Suitable for E-bike: Yes

Obzova is the highest peak on island Krk and the trail that leads to the peak is one of the most interesting I rode in last few years. Route starts near beach in Baška. Baška is resort town situated on southern part of island and is famous for its old town, churches and long beautiful beach which is sadly overcrowded during summer.  We didn’t have such problems because we decided to visit Baška in March.
As I said, our route starts near beach and follows paved road to the graveyard. Paved road ends there, and starts carrigeway that leads through pine forest to the famous Moon plateau which offers impressive landscapes made of karst and stone deserts which look like moon surface. There is mtb race (4islands) that is held on this island, and big part of the race is similar to this route, but the race then goes to Punat, and this route continues to Obzova, and then descends back to Baška. Ride is not suitable for hardtail bike.

This was my first serious ride on the new bike, and first real test, so I was a little bit impatient to see how will the bike respond. Even though 130 mm suspension fork worked well, 150 mm or more would be better.

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