I decided to take on The Grand Escape Italy Slovenia in early 2024 with only 2,500 km of training and 28,000 meters of elevation gain under my belt. Although I hadn’t logged many kilometers, I had completed several long daily rides of over 200 km to test my bicycle and equipment. I wanted to dispel the myth that participating in a Grand Escape requires intensive training: my 2,500 km were few, but sufficient.
Bicycle and Equipment
Aware of my limited physical condition, I decided to carry only the essentials for tackling the 577 km and 7,480 meters of elevation gain on the entirely paved route ahead. My equipment was minimal, and the bicycle was optimally set up to balance weight and performance. I always stayed in accommodations and used facilities found along the route for meals.
I participated in the event with a Canyon Endurace, a road bike specifically designed for this type of use. It’s super comfortable for spending many hours in the saddle and offers the possibility of using wider tires. The only modification I made was mounting a set of carbon wheels specifically designed for these adventures – the Fulcrum Rapid Red Carbon, which can accommodate very wide tires. In the end, I opted for 28mm tires that proved perfect for the route.
| Category | Items |
|---|---|
| Storage |
Miss Grape 7L Saddle Bag Miss Grape 3.5 Frame Bag Packable backpack |
| Clothing |
Merino wool socks Long-sleeve merino wool jersey Bermuda shorts Cotton short-sleeve shirt Underwear Waterproof jacket Windproof vest Sleeveless base layer |
| Personal Care |
Toothpaste and toothbrush Deodorant Medications Sunscreen Wet wipes Dental floss Chamois cream |
| Tools and Electronics |
Charging cable for phone and GPS Cable ties 2 inner tubes Pump Multitool Chain oil Front light Rear light |
There were various setups present at the event. Some riders, like me, approached it in Card Bikepacking style*, while others carried everything needed for outdoor camping with tents and sleeping bags. The bicycles were equally diverse, ranging from pure road bikes to gravel bikes.
*riding long distances with the minimum of packing, paying for food and accommodation with cash or credit card.
The Route: A Four-Day Journey
I divided the 600-kilometer route into four manageable stages, each offering its own unique challenges and rewards.
Day 1: Udine to Bovec
The journey began in Udine, following the renowned Alpe Adria Cycle Route. This former railway line has been beautifully converted into a cycling path, featuring impressive engineering with its tunnels and viaducts. The route gradually climbed through the Italian-Slovenian border region, offering stunning views before descending into the charming town of Bovec.
Day 2: Bovec to Ljubljana
The second day presented the most challenging climb of the journey – the legendary Vršič Pass in the Soča Valley. After conquering its switchbacks, the route led to one of Slovenia’s most iconic sights, Lake Bled, whose fairy-tale beauty provided a perfect rest stop. The day concluded in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s captivating capital.
Day 3: Ljubljana to Nova Gorica
This stage traversed through Slovenia’s diverse landscape, from dense forests to the fascinating karst region around Postojna. The terrain offered a mix of rolling hills and flat sections, making it a more moderate day in terms of elevation gain. The day ended in Nova Gorica, a city straddling the Italian-Slovenian border.
Day 4: Nova Gorica to Udine
The final day followed the emerald waters of the Soča River, one of Europe’s most beautiful waterways, completing the loop back to Udine through scenic countryside.
A Journey Through the Green Heart of Europe
If I were to paint Slovenia, my brush would instinctively dip into green. Green are the vast forests covering its mountains, green is the grass carpeting its valleys – it’s not by chance that this land is called the green heart of Europe. But reducing Slovenia to a single color would be a mistake: stopping by its rivers reveals the mesmerizing emerald color of their waters, another shade enriching this small country’s palette.
I realized how much I needed these colors only when I decided to participate in The Grand Escape Italy/Slovenia. For a long time, my travels had been limited to familiar routes, always aboard my gravel bike. Without noticing, I had slipped into a bikepacking comfort zone. This event represented the perfect opportunity to break the routine: I would dust off my road bike and venture into territories I knew only on paper. Never was a choice more fitting.
The Essence of Bickepacking
Traveling reduces everything to an essential state, freeing daily life from superfluous complications. You cycle following natural rhythms: stopping when hunger strikes and seeking shelter when your body needs rest. The bicycle becomes a perfect tool for this type of exploration, awakening that instinct for movement that has characterized our species for millennia.
This simplicity makes bicycle travel so rewarding. Curiosity guides you along the path, inviting you to discover what lies behind each curve. And The Grand Escape offered scenarios that exceeded expectations: the converted railway bridges showcase perfect examples of industrial heritage repurposing, while the Soča Valley, with its crystal-clear waters winding through mountains, offers landscapes of rare beauty.
Building Connections
But the true value of these journeys emerges in the relationships created along the way. The sense of belonging that develops among participants is immediate: that event cap becomes a recognition symbol, a distinctive sign that creates instant trust. It’s surprising how you can share a meal with a stranger and feel immediately at ease, united by that common passion that quickly transforms strangers into travel companions.
Following the Path
Cycling along a carefully studied itinerary is reassuring. The track scrolling on the small GPS screen becomes a trusted guide, designed not only to show you the best of the territory but also to keep you away from heavy traffic. Because while it’s true that cycling offers unique emotions, it’s equally true that the thought of cars rushing past can compromise the serenity of the journey.
A Journey of Rediscovery
This journey proved to be the perfect opportunity to explore a new corner of the world from the privileged perspective of my bicycle saddle. Despite being on a different bike than usual, I discovered a new way of traveling, with different rhythms and in the company of people I didn’t know. Returning home after four days and 600 kilometers, I realized it wasn’t just a journey through Italy and Slovenia, but a path of rediscovery. I rediscovered the pleasure of pedaling on new roads, the value of improvisation, and learned that stepping out of your comfort zone, even just by changing the type of bicycle, can open unexpected horizons. Sometimes you just need to decide to start to rediscover that spark of adventure we thought was dormant.
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