Eastern Europe
Stories about the gravel trip I took with my dad in early 2026. A off-road cycling adventure from Trieste in Italy to Latvia.
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The Eastern Europe crossing comes to an end with a network of gravel roads and the occasional forests. We enjoy free camping spots and navigate through ever changing weather.
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A 1000km of the trip is through Poland. Our expectations after playing the Witcher 3 for 100’s of hours and the chance for wild bison are high. Is this the last true wilderness of Europe?
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We reach a much anticipated country: Slovakia. With impressive mountains and the chance to encounter bears we stay cautious and start crossing the peaks. Snow hinders our way and we find a detour across other passes.
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The journey through Hungary began unexpectedly with tough trails but soon led to expansive green fields, creating moments of freedom. A warm hospitality experience included staying with a gracious winery host and enjoying local wines. Despite cycling challenges, the kindness of locals made the trip memorable before heading to Slovakia.
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The off-road crossing from Italy to Latvia starts. After a few kilometres we cross the border into Slovenia. An unknown country to me but one that brought many world-class cyclists. I start to see why !