Author: Notos

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MTB Papuk – Orahovica

Country: Croatia
Mountain: Papuk
Length: 62,95 km (4 shuttle rides)
Elevation gain: 2473 m
Maximum elevation:  766 m
Technical difficulty: 3/5
Download GPS Track: MTB Papuk_Orahovica_Cyclotrail
Date of ride: 04.01.2020.
Suitable for E-bike: Yes

Papuk is the largest mountain in Slavonia, it extends between Bilogora, Krndija, Ravna gora and Psunj. Its peak Papuk is at 953 meters above sea. Even though Slavonia highlands (such as Papuk) are not higher than 1000 meters, they are very noticeable in the landscape because surrounding alluvial fields which are mostly not higher than 100 meters above sea. Usually I don’t go on shuttle rides, so this vacation in my hometown was a perfect time to use selfinvitation with weekend warriors and join them on Papuk trails. Weekend warriors are enthusiasts from Osijek who travel almost every weekend from Osijek to Orahovica to dig or ride trails on Papuk. They also organize Papuk extreme challenge. Usually I’m not very good at jumping gaps and kickers, so this shuttle dh session was ideal for some practice. It is actually very good feeling when you are going on descent still fresh. This is probably the best way to work on downhill technique, in one day I descended my 2 weeks quota.
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Medvednica: Muco – Hpd – Enduro

Country: Croatia
Mountain: Medvednica
Length: 35 km
Elevation gain: 920m
Maximum elevation:  950 m
Technical difficulty: 3/5
Download GPS Track: Medvednica – Muco-Hpd-Enduro_Cyclotrail
Date of ride: 24.11.2019.
Suitable for E-bike: Yes

The name Medvednica could be translated as “bear mountain”. Its biggest peak is called Sljeme, 1035 meters above sea, and often refers as name to the entire mountain. Even though mountain Medvednica is called after bears, there are no bears living there. Urbanization took its toll, so many species (bears, lynxes, wolves, otters, western capercaille… ) that lived there are now disappeared.

On this chilly autumn day we chose to ride on one of the most popular trails on mountain Medvednica. First part of the trail is Muco trail and it is the stage 1 of Zagreb enduro contest. After that we connected to trail called HPD (in translation “Croatian hikers association” trail) or number 52 on some maps. Very narrow singletrack with some technical parts, rocks and roots. Watch out for hikers because this is their trail. This trail also connects to famous enduro Opušteno trail (visible on 4:55 in video).

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Ploče and Baćina lakes

Country: Croatia
Region: Ploče/Baćina lakes
Length: 26 km
Elevation gain: 501m
Maximum elevation:  235 m
Technical difficulty: 2/5
Download GPS Track: Ploče_Baćina lakes_Cyclotrail
Date of ride: 26.06.2018.
Suitable for E-bike: Yes

While I was in Ploče, this track was my standard after job route. Some of this route I used for running, but  it was mostly used for maintaining MTB form.  It isn’t very attractive route that guide you through beautiful scenery, but it is great ride for sightseeing town Ploče and Baćina lakes. Start is at Birina lake. There is plenty of space to park a car, and from there you follow the road to the center of city which afterwards leads you to the local hill. There is military outpost, so access is limited for civilians, luckily you are able to climb on top of the hill and enjoy the view on delta of river Neretva and Pelješac peninsula. Access road is some old carrigeway which is one way road that I used also for downhill, and there starts my short video.
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