Discover Hidden Europe Extraordinary gravel riding in a historically unique region Beskid Niski, Poland & Slovakia 29th May - 2nd June 2019 Start: Kraków, Int. Airport Base location: Ropki Duration: 4 days riding / 4 nights Avg Distance: 90km Avg Elevation: 1600m Difficulty: 3.5/5 Gravelventures A gravel bike takes the meaning 'off the beaten track' to a whole new level, it allows us to explore further and deeper than ever before. But finding the best places to ride can be tricky. We have been fascinated with the history of Beskid Niski for a long time and the gravel bike makes for the perfect machine to explore the remains of bygone settlements.
Location Beskid Niski lies to the south-east of Poland along the border with Slovakia. The region has an interesting history and saw a significant population reduction in the 20th century. Remnants and remains of ancient settlements and villages are nestled between mountains with tracks and trails often forgotten and uncared for. Timber, 'onion-domed' Orthodox churches, many of which are now UNESCO protected, await discovery in charming valleys. Due to the low population and abundance of forests the region is the home to some impressive wildlife; from deer, wolves, wildcat and bears to an array of birds like golden eagles. BESKID NISKI NOWICA 73km 1,250m POLAND FOLUSZ 93km 1,710m WARM UP 35km 560m ROPKI 85km 1,360m SLOVAKIA
Gravelventure includes... - Small groups of 6-8 riders - Kraków International Airport transfers - Four nights single & double occupancy accommodation - Four days of riding - Breakfast and evening meals - Ride guides with in-depth local knowledge - Ride photography - Routes designed around experiencing the local area - Ride nutrition and hydration provided by Chimpanzee - Wahoo GPS devices for test rides - Brooks saddles for test rides (special sale prices available) The cost of the trip per person is 900 Th
Gravelventure does not include... - Flights - Lunch and snacks - Alcoholic drinks with meals - Travel insurance - Incidental expenses - Genesis Bike hire; steel 'road plus' bike available upon advance request
Itinerary What to expect You will be looked after from the moment of your arrival to your departure. You will be based in a newly renovated pension in the tiny settlement of Ropki; surrounded by the wilderness of forests just off the Slovakian border. Days will be filled with fully planned routes to experience the best of the region. Ride guides will be there to point out the highlights. Natural nutrition and hydration from Chimpanzee will power you through the days as you explore one of the wildest, unspoilt parts of Europe. Day 01: Warm Up, 35km, 560m You will be collected from Kraków International Airport and transferred to our base in Ropki. Transfer by mini-bus will take around 2 hours. After settling at the mountain base, there will be the first opportunity to explore the area by bike. A short ride will help stretch the legs after the travelling and give you a taste of what is to come. Dinner will be served at the base. Day 02: Nowica, 73km, 1,250m After a short transfer to the start, day two will be filled with exploring the forgotten valleys where Łemko settlements used to exist. Numerous river crossings will get us into the spirit of adventure. Dinner will be served at the base.
Day 03: Ropki, 85km, 1,360m Starting and finishing at the Ropki base we will venture through deep forests on the finest gravel fire roads before crossing the border to Slovakia where we will traverse border hiking routes. Dinner will be served at the local village Wysowa Zdrój. Day 04: Folusz, 93km, 1,710m The final day of the weekend will see us heading east through the Magurski National Park on its numerous gravel roads through forests and river valleys. To celebrate on the final night we will enjoy an open fire grill with plenty of food and beers. Day 05: Departure day Transfer back to Kraków International Airport in the morning ready for individual travel arrangements. **Routes are subject to change and can be extended in length or shortened due to weather conditions as well as the ability of the group. With two ride leaders per group we also have the option to split groups depending on ability. Partners To help make your Gravelventure an unforgettable experience we have teamed up with some of the best cycling companies around. Genesis If you don't want to bring your own bike, we can offer you the fantastic Genesis Fugio, their edition to the growing gravel bike market called 'road plus'. Wahoo Our ride guides and support vehicles use the great tracking features of the Wahoo ELEMNT GPS computer to know exactly where everyone is. We are also able to offer a unit for guests to test on a ride. Brooks We have a range of Brooks C13 saddles for our guests to try on rides. We are also able to offer a discount to guests for any purchases made on the Brooks online shop. Morgan Blue - Gravel riding can get mucky but we use the great cleaning products from Morgan Blue to make sure you have a nice clean bike to ride. Chimpanzee Honest, all-natural, hydration and nutrition made from real foods. Free of additives, artificial sweeteners, trans fats, chemicals and GMO's. Vegetarian and Vegan option available too.
Rental Bikes The Fugio is Genesis' fine contribution to the new and exciting road plus category. The perfect machine for Gravelventures. A bike that is capable of running with smaller 650b wheels with enough clearance to accept much larger tyres. The rental bike comes with Clement X'Plor MSO 50c rubber that will keep you comfortable on the roughest of terrain. Now available as a SRAM 1x build.
Accommodation & Food Beskid Niski is a wild region of Poland and we have found the perfect accommodation right in the wilderness of Ropki. A large house accessible only by gravel road with a small river running next to it. Renovated to modern standard offering perfect outdoor and indoor areas to relax after a day in the saddle. Each guest will be provided with comfortable double occupancy en-suite bedroom (single available upon request) and bike storage. Buffet breakfasts will be served at the base along with dinner on Wednesday and Thursday. One evening we will dine in the local town restaurant and the final night will be an al-fresco BBQ feast.
Accommodation & Food includes... - Secluded base in the wilderness of Ropki - Double occupancy en-suite bedrooms - Single occupancy upon request - Buffet Breakfasts - Two dinners served at the base - Dinner in local village Wysowa-Zdrój - BBQ feast and beers
Join us on a Gravelventure Contact contact@podia.cc