Video: Two Wheeled Adventure Across Slovenia in 'Mountains to Sea'

Feb 18, 2019 at 15:08
by Steel City Media  

Steel City Media is proud to present 'Mountains to Sea', a two wheel'd adventure across Slovenia with Juliana Bicycles ambassadors Rachel Walker and Julia Hobson.

Part of the Juliana Mountains to Sea film documenting Rachel Walker and Julia Hobsons journey across Slovenia. Guided by Jonny from Ride Slovenia.

Part of the Juliana Mountains to Sea film documenting Rachel Walker and Julia Hobsons journey across Slovenia. Guided by Jonny from Ride Slovenia.

With this film we look to land Slovenia firmly on riders bucket lists, by trying to give this 'hidden gem' of Europe the justice it deserves on screen, with its pristine singletrack, endless layers of mountains and great pizza?!

Growing slowly in popularity over the years, but far from busy compared to the normal 'go to' alpine destinations, Jonny and his crew have carved out a unique path from 'Alps to Sea', taking in a huge amount of ever-changing terrain and trails across 6 days.

Part of the Juliana Mountains to Sea film documenting Rachel Walker and Julia Hobsons journey across Slovenia. Guided by Jonny from Ride Slovenia.

High Alpine descents into forests with loam on tap, what more could you want.

Part of the Juliana Mountains to Sea film documenting Rachel Walker and Julia Hobsons journey across Slovenia. Guided by Jonny from Ride Slovenia.

Part of the Juliana Mountains to Sea film documenting Rachel Walker and Julia Hobsons journey across Slovenia. Guided by Jonny from Ride Slovenia.

We felt naive once we were there witnessing it all first hand, but Slovenia is a place that is largely covered in mountains and bordered by four different countries, which gives you a huge mix of cultures and terrain each day as you work your way towards the coast for that final reward of gelato...

You'll need to watch the film for the full story, but It's like they've almost picked their favourite parts of the rest of Europe and placed them all in one tidy, mountainous package.

Part of the Juliana Mountains to Sea film documenting Rachel Walker and Julia Hobsons journey across Slovenia. Guided by Jonny from Ride Slovenia.

One thing you won't find included though is trail traffic, as you can be tricked into thinking each descent could be a first, as you can go hours without bumping into another human.

Part of the Juliana Mountains to Sea film documenting Rachel Walker and Julia Hobsons journey across Slovenia. Guided by Jonny from Ride Slovenia.

After a full week of early starts, big miles and huge descents the team were on the home straight, but as Rachel said, on the last day we ended up in a bit of a 'pickle' .... resulting in a last minute test of the Slovenian health care system, which was fortunately also great.

Part of the Juliana Mountains to Sea film documenting Rachel Walker and Julia Hobsons journey across Slovenia. Guided by Jonny from Ride Slovenia.

Part of the Juliana Mountains to Sea film documenting Rachel Walker and Julia Hobsons journey across Slovenia. Guided by Jonny from Ride Slovenia.

For more information on how to create your own Slovenian adventure, head over to Ride Slovenia for the full details.

Riders: @riderrachy @julialikesbikes
Illustration: @samneedham_photo
Imagery: @roofowler

Author Info:
SteelCityMedia avatar

Member since Mar 3, 2012
113 articles

26 Comments
  • 18 0
 Nice article and great fun video. Smile Good job Ride Slovenia and co., thnx for promoting Slovenia as a great mountain biking destination. We sure have a lot to offer. Welcome!
  • 17 8
 Dang, now everyone will know how lucky we are here!

One advice though for all of the potential visitors: unfortunately most of the riding in the video (and generally in Slovenia) isn't legal, except for a few bike parks and trail centers. Which generally means ride on your own risk, respect the nature, and give way to all other trail users.

Also, avoid biking outside designated areas in Triglav National Park. It's not if, but *when* will you get caught. Been there, done that...

Other than that, have fun Smile
  • 3 0
 I suppose the guides from Ride Slovenia would help you ride the fun sections where you are allowed to go, wouldn't they? Maybe they changed something to attract more tourism and now they might allow mountainbikers in areas that were previously out of bounds.
  • 4 0
 Yeah man, I worked for Jonny last year, there are agreements between the landowners and himself therefore he has permission to ride them! ????@vinay:
  • 3 1
 @vinay: that I don't know, but like any sensible guide and MTB ambassador I presume they have arrangements that suit everyone involved. Otherwise it makes little sense to do long term business...

With significant amount of volunteer work, dealing with bureaucracy, and lobbying there have been a few improvements in the last couple of years in terms of legalizing trails, but it's an uphill battle and we've got a looong way to go.
  • 6 0
 @starilater: I think it is up to us, Slovenian riders, to keep working on all fronts to improve the current situation. Nobody else is going to do it for us. And it has been or it is the same in other EU countries.
  • 6 2
 @baliey-russell: its practically impossible to get permisssion from all owners because Slovenia is fragmented into crazy small bits, one trail in bikepark Krvavec crosses land of like 50 owners and they had to get permission from every single one of them (when land is inherited without a testament it is usually split equally to heirs so then they are all owners and this can go on for generations). Trails can be legalized but right now the procedures are long and complicated so most of them remain unsancioned... Slovenia also does not have rangers with some general jurisdiction (except in Triglav national park)... In the end mountain biking remains in some gray area where it is not really completely legal but on the other hand sanctioning is barely existant...
  • 1 0
 @winko: Sounds complicated indeed. How does the government manage to build roads across the country? This private property thing sound nice as it seems like if you have no land the day you're born, you'll never get any. That said, how does it work over there? I seem to recall that for instance in the UK one can own land, but still has to give travelers right of way. Obviously that doesn't mean that you can go dig new trails, but if the existing trails have sufficient flow then that may be just fine. Haven't watched the video (this computer doesn't play the video) but the pictures look cool.

@starilater : Yeah I suppose they must have been negotiating permission to be able to record and publish the video on a mainstream international cycling website like this.
  • 1 0
 @ridgelinetrails: I think it's so cool how you Slovenian guys have kept the dialogue internationally inclusive. Great looking country by the looks of the video, too.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: The way I've described things may sound like its nightmare to do anything anywhere but in reality the ownership of most land with some economic merit is pretty clear, but as more than 60% of the country is forest and some of this forest is not really economically interesting or has limited or difficult access, people do not really care about it. These locations also sound really nice to ride bikes on (or build illegal trails huehuehue) Smile

So if you want to own a land you will not chose a piece like that but rather something with clear ownership... If government wants to build road on such land, well they have to buy the shares from everybody.
Its the same here, you are in principle allowed to cross any land, but not drive over it. Sounds reasonable if some ancient law would not define bike as mean of transportation (technically a vehicle)...

Fun bizarre law of Slovenia: Allowed alcohol level is 0.5 g/(l of blood), but 0.0 for vehicle that you do need the permit for (aka bike), so you are technically not allowed to drink and ride a bike Smile
  • 12 0
 Been to Slovenia last summer. Love the place, I'll definitely go back someday!
  • 7 0
 That woman is tough as nails, I'd cry like a baby if I had a hole in my leg and parts of my own skin and flesh in my hair. Nice trails, riding, editing, see you real soon Slovenia
  • 1 0
 I want to go!
  • 3 0
 Koroshka valley from video - Day1 is also the place for EWS European Series 2019, Round 3 | 22 June 2019 | Black Hole Bike Festival.
  • 4 0
 A beautiful country. Love to visit it sometime before I am rickety and on an eBike Wink
  • 1 0
 cit. With this film we look to land Slovenia firmly on riders bucket lists, by trying to give this 'hidden gem' of Europe the justice it deserves on screen, with its pristine singletrack, endless layers of mountains and great pizza?!

WHAT?! Pizza? :-D
  • 5 0
 Love it!
  • 2 0
 Slovenia is an amazing place to ride, graet people and the skills level of many bike park and trails is perfect for racing and have fun!! lepaaaaa!!!
  • 3 0
 Beautiful country and well worth a visit, good for hiking as well Smile
  • 3 1
 As a mechanic I closed my eyes at 1:35.
  • 1 0
 Wow gave to update my bucket list..
  • 1 0
 Awesome video, really looking forward to my trip to Slovenia in July
  • 1 0
 What a place! Definitely need to put this on the bucket list.
  • 1 0
 Top venue with a top guide. Can't wait for this year's trip
  • 1 0
 Great stuff!!!
  • 6 8
 So beautiful, but so illegal (for riding) is our "chicken looklike" country!







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