Competition, competition and after competition – Trans Julius’ four-day cycling adventure has come to an end. What happened on the spot and why do we think that it is not an ordinary competition? Read for yourself.
As you remember, we went to Slovenia to support the local team in preparing the routes. In addition, Marek had plans to start, and I did some photos of the event, which we also managed to implement. In the previous article we presented to you a detailed report on the preparations – now it’s time for particulars related to the atmosphere prevailing during the event. By doing so, you will see that these are not yet another competition that causes more than one rider to stomach upset from stress and that we recommend you to participate in such a venture for once (note: only for players with healthy livers!).
At the start there were more than 70 competitors from various countries, including Austria, Italy and of course Slovenia, divided into two categories – women and men. There was even one Australian! The first day of the competition took place in Cerkno – a beautiful village surrounded by mountains. After reaching the top, the competitors received detailed instructions from the organizers – Vesna and Gasper – regarding the first day schedule.
First, the prologue which will rank the players for the right start, then the driveway for the first stage and start, the driveway for the second stage and the start, and in the evening – night start. The practice ability of all routes as a “before-rider” checks Primož on his 29 “e-bike, which causes a wave of jokes about “bikes for old people”.Both before and after the start, all players stay together, laugh, and the atmosphere is loose and friendly. We do not know each other yet? We’ll get to know each other! – There was no pressure on the result, which I noticed immediately while taking photos – instead of focusing on the route, the riders present their complete teeth, wave or comment on the trail. Sure, everyone has in the back of the head that it would be nice to be on the podium, but apparently the most important thing was having fun.
In the evening, just after the night pass, it’s time to relax – we all come from the Cerkno hotel (where we are checked in and where the organizers’ base is located) to the garden of a tiny bar (actually a window that distributes food) for lunch. This lunch in Slovenia is really just another dinner, so after a solid portion of stuffed noodles with goulash, strudel and beer, we’re all round like balls. Of course, from the whole racers the most entertaining are the Italians – Stefano on the first day knew all the girls-racers and girls from the team of organizers, but not so far behind the racers Slovenians. In general, we are everywhere, we are loud and amused, and the inhabitants of Cerkno are party with us.
On the second day we are moving to the bridge on Soči. There was the most beautiful views of the high mountains and the river Soca. Do you think that Austria is beautiful? Slovenia beat her on the head! Check-in before the start took place through the bar at the top – in the garden there was bicycles & relaxed riders and was waiting for their turn. The start starts in the hottest part of the day and after the section led through the clearing, the racers disappear in a cool forest. After reaching the finish line they will have to drive up a long asphalt road uphill, straight for lunch. With the eye of the camera I record all the moments – race, driveways, checking the time and… the fun which was always here. Do you remember the atmosphere of the good old DH competition in Wierchomla in Poland? It’s more or less the level of the fun, just squared – until the tears in the eye turns ;)
After a long moment of breathing and digesting a huge portion of egg-potato-cheese casserole and strudel for desser, it’s time to move to Bohinjska Bistrica for the evening concert of the Slovenian star Fedhorses. Some of the racers use avtovlak, that is, a train to take cars through the tunnel, the rest drives cars three times longer through the mountains. On the way we are swimming with Mareczek in ice-cold mountain Bohinj lake, to warm up in the evening by local alcohol. As it turns out, the local brewery is preparing for this occasion a solid portion of Trans Julius wheat beer, which is labeled with a winning photo from the competition for the best bicycle photo with Slovenia in the background. The fun lasts in the best, as you can guess the beer and the schnapps are pouring liters, you can hear laughter, mixed languages and ubiquitous jokes about “and how is it said in your language”, “and in yours as it is”. Note – you know that leather slippers a’la crocs are tarzanki, and sandals with strips just like ours – jezuski? Well, you already know…
We also know that due to the announced storm the Saturday stage in Bohinj will not take place. We are fresh and brisk and ready for a tour, to at least once drive it despite the cancellation of the episode and to take advantage of the last moments without rain. Well, I will not say – it is interesting – very narrow and wild steep turns are something completely new, so during the reunion with a group of 10 men there is a lot of laughter. We have almost no (!) problems with riding the trail (except for good riders Gasper and our Mareczek). It does not matter that we are not good riders – it is important that it gives us a lot of fun, and at the end of the route a picturesque waterfall awaits us. Of course, we would not be ourselves if we did not try to enter the icy water. And suddenly we see 3 people in the cave upper the waterfall emerge during the popular Canyoning in Slovenia – one of them jumps straight into the water… also we are very encouraged. The water, of course, turns out to be even colder than the one in the lake… At the end of this beautiful trip, in the middle of the field catched us the storm. Ehh, what a sprint to the bar! The second group of racers has worse weather. The storm catched them on the trail and from there to the center of Bohinja was about 30 minutes of pure enduro and driving through the meadow.
We are equipped with local food, beer and schnaps and we are waiting for an evening presentation of photos. The weather is definitely improving, so the local residents together with the children storm the pumptrack set nearby, and the contestants gather for the evening party. The official award ceremony for the best photos promoting cycling in Slovenia is taking place, and we can admire the best 12 prints in XXL format in the command center of the event until the end of Trans Julius. What can I say – photos are great! After a solid dose of bicycle rumors, next jokes about e-bikes, fat bikes or 29″ and ubiquitous beer, we are we are preparing for the next day.
On the last day a mass start was planned for the big final of the event, during which all competitors would end their ride in Bohinjska Bistrica. We already know that due to the Saturday storm it will not be possible, but the end of the competition will take place on the first planned stage from the picturesque Bače pass. It will decide on the general classification of the whole competition. After the longest stage of Trans Julius, all competitors go to the avtovlak platform, which this time instead of cars takes bikes and in great mood we are going back to Bohinjska Bistrica. In addition to the winners’ decorations, of course local beer awaits us. Humors add especially to the Italians, here and there are even proposals for marriages of mixed nationalities. The time comes for a big surprise because especially for this occasion, a cake with the images of racers was created. Cake like a cake – was good, but for how it was beautifully smeared on the face of Vesna and the winner among men – Tadej! The party lasts until late evening hours, and on Monday morning you have to go back to Poland.
Ehh, what would we give to go back there…
