ISLAND HVAR
+
BIOKOVO MOUNTAIN
09/05 - 12/05/2020
START
HVAR
FINISH
TUCEPI
TOTAL DISTANCE
260 KM
TOTAL ELEVATION
4450 M
DAYS
4
RIDERS
8
ISLAND HVAR
Island Hvar enjoys 2724 sunny hours each year.
Around 1000 hours more than most places in the UK.
The island of Hvar is the queen of the Croatian Dalmatian islands. It has recently celebrated 140 years of organised tourism and is considered to be one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world.
Hvar is home of Ivo Piljic, who will serve as your host and guide. He is probably more accurate than any GPS device when it comes to local roads. Anywhere you go on the island, you’ll see people calling him by his first name. Ivo will take you cycling on routes which left the team of Cyclist magazine feeling euphoric.
Did you know that Bahrain Merida Pro Cycling Team had their training camp on island Hvar and resided in Hotel Pharos?
BIOKOVO MOUNTAIN
There are only a few places in the Mediterranean where peaks of over 1500 metres rise so steeply close to the sea.
Biokovo is the second-highest mountain range in Croatia. Its highest peak is Sveti Jure at 1762m. A vast area of Biokovo is protected as a Nature Park with over 1500 plant and animal species, some of which are endemic.
In cycling, Biokovo is known as the hellish climb of the Tour of Croatia. Our guide Ivo took Cyclist magazine to climb Sveti Jure. Bikenauts will take you on the same quest. You’ll find yourself breathless from wild twists and turns of the road continuously moving up. And speechless from the views.
The view from the top of Sveti Jure is worth all the suffering you put into the climb. And then the sweetest descent awaits.
ISLAND HVAR - PHOTOS
‘It’s about to get better’.
HOTEL PHAROS - HVAR
Hotel Pharos in Hvar is situated in a secluded pine grove close to the sea and Hvar Main Square. It features brightly furnished rooms, an outdoor swimming pool and bar area, as well as a modern restaurant serving international and local delicacies. Bahrain Merida Pro Cycling Team stays in Hotel Pharos during their winter training camp.
Guests enjoy:
- Two nights stay - single or double occupancy
- Daily breakfast
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Outdoor gym
HOTEL ALGA - TUCEPI
Hotel Alga is set in Tucepi, literally just a few meters from the sea. It offers modernly decorated rooms and healthy meals at the hotel restaurant. Tucepi is a small town below Biokovo with one of the longest beaches in Croatia. This 3 km long pebbly beach also includes a beautiful promenade in the shade of the pine trees.
Guests enjoy:
- One night stay - single or double occupancy
- Daily breakfast
- Outdoor and indoor swimming pool
- Gym and sauna
- Discount for massage treatments
BOOK NOW
PRICE
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY- Three nights stay
- Transfers in Croatia
- Meals and drinks
- Supported rides
PRICE
SINGLE OCCUPANCY- Three nights stay
- Transfers in Croatia
- Meals and drinks
- Supported rides
Deposit of £300 required to reserve.
Full balance is due 30 days before departure.
NEED HELP?
HVAR + BIOKOVO TRIP INCLUDES
- Support in planning your trip from our London staff
- Meet and greet at the airport in Croatia by our local team
- All transfers in Croatia by land and sea
- Two nights stay in Hotel Pharos on island Hvar - single or double occupancy
- One night stay in Hotel Alga in Tucepi - single or double occupancy
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Food and drinks during rides
- One long-distance ride on Island Hvar
- One optional shorter ride on Island Hvar*
- One long ride on mainland with Biokovo mountain climb
- Entry fee to Biokovo Nature Park
- One optional shorter ride in Tucepi area*
- Guide support from ex-pro guides and vehicles
- Small groups of up to 8 riders
- High guide-to-client ratios
Flights, UK transfers, bike hire and travel insurance are not included.
Affordable bike hire available on request. Selection of Pinarello and Merida bikes.
*Depending on personal preferences and flight times
ITINERARY
Arrival Day
As you step off the plane in Split, there will be representatives from our transportation team waiting to meet you. From there you will be transported to the island via catamaran boat and taken directly to the hotel. Bikenauts will be there to help you check-in to your room.
Depending on your wishes and time of arrival you will take part in a relaxing spin-off ride. In the evening we’ll take you on a tour of the town and to a special dinner in a hidden restaurant.
Distance: 30 km
Climbing: 350 m
Day 2 - Island Hvar
Time to explore island Hvar on your bike. We’ll quickly escape Hvar and climb up the road in the middle of the island. As we ride towards Stari Grad, incredible views will open up left and right. To the west, you’ll see the Dalmatian islands of Brac and Solta. To the east, the coast and the city of Split on the mainland. We’ll ride through small ancient villages, and at times only a few meters from the Adriatic sea. We are certain the ride will reaffirm your reasons for cycling, just as it did for Cyclist magazine writer Susannah Osborne.
In the evening, we’ll have dinner in another stunning restaurant chosen by our local expert Ivo and start preparing for the next big day ahead.
Distance: 92 km
Climbing: 1600 m
Day 3 - Biokovo mountain
Today we have an early start. After breakfast, we’ll pack our stuff and drive to Sucuraj, on the western part of the island. From here we’ll take a ferry to the mainland close to Biokovo nature park.
Our ride starts on quiet roads inland of the town of Ploce. From here we ride towards Biokovo to warm up our legs for an attack on Sveti Jure climb. We’ll enter the Biokovo nature park and start our ascent. Bikenauts guides will stay by your side and assist each group of riders regardless of their pace. At the top, we’ll regroup and marvel the views and our accomplishments. The delicious and well-deserved descent will lead us straight to the seaside.
Following the ride, we’ll check-in Hotel Alga, take a dip in the sea or relax with a healing massage. Celebrations will be in order over dinner by the sea.
Distance: 103 km
Climbing: 2200 m
Departure Day
On your final day, you’ll have a chance to relax on a beach or go for one last spin around Tucepi. Our team will transfer you to Split airport in time for your flight.
FAQ
Booking
Deposit of £300 is required to reserve your place. It can be paid on our website with all major cards or PayPal. Alternative payment arrangements, for example, bank transfer, are also available on request. The balance is due 30 days before departure. We’ll inform you when it’s time to cover the balance.
Yes. We use the highest standards when collecting and storing your data. We protect your data against loss, destruction, access, change or processing. We’ll never share or sell your data. We are GDPR compliant. Please read our privacy and cookie policy.
We use Stripe to process payments securely. Stripe is trusted by companies such as Twitter, Kickstarter and ASOS. Your credit card data is sent directly to Stripe, we never store it on our servers. Please read our booking terms.
After booking, we’ll be available to you at all times.
We’ll send you several emails with:
- Confirmation of booking
- Reminder to cover the balance
- Forms and additional information about the trip
If you choose to subscribe to our newsletter, we will send you:
- Occasional emails about our latest cycling trips
- Information about exclusive discounts and giveaways
You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time. You can also write to us and request the removal of your data.
You will have to:
- Purchase an aeroplane ticket to Croatia
- Pay for airplane bicycle fees if travelling with your bike or
- Rent a bike from us in Croatia
- Arrange transport to/from UK airport
- Own/rent/borrow a road bicycle
- Own/rent/borrow a bicycle travel box/bag
- Cover your travel, medical and bicycle insurance
- Pay for any extra activities and experiences you wish to enjoy in Croatia outside of the cycling trip
Yes, you can book a trip for more than one rider. When paying the deposit, you can select the number of guests.
In most instances, we are also able to accommodate non-riding family members or friends. However, places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first served basis. Please contact us beforehand to discuss.
Yes, we are available to help with all aspects of trip planning. We can recommend the best flights to get you to and from your selected trip, as well as hotels if you want to stay longer in Croatia.
Yes. If you wish to enjoy additional time in Croatia before or after the cycling trip, we can assist you with your travel arrangements. We can recommend locations, book hotels and even organise transport. Please let us know your wishes in advance.
Definitely. When it comes to road cycling in Croatia, and even the neighbouring countries, we can fulfil all your wishes. We are also able to organise female only trips with ex-pro female guides. Contact us to learn more.
Travelling
You need to have a valid passport or identity card for the duration of your stay. If your travel document describes you as a British Citizen or citizen of any EU country, you don’t need a visa to enter Croatia.
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU or in the event the UK leaves the EU, please consult Gov.uk website about travelling to Croatia.
We recommend you fly to Split, Croatia.
List of direct flights to Pula on 09/05/2020:
LONDON
- 05:50 – London Gatwick – EasyJet
- 06:25 – London Stansted – EasyJet
- 14:50 – London Luton – EasyJet
- 16:40 – London Heathrow – Croatia Airlines
- 16:50 – London Gatwick – EasyJet
REST OF THE UK
- 06:00 – Bristol – EasyJet
- 08:40 – Manchester – Jet2
- 14:10 – Leeds – Jet2
- 17:25 – Manchester – EasyJet
List of direct return flights from Split on 12/05/2020:
LONDON
- 10:25 – London Luton – EasyJet
- 17:10 – London Gatwick – EasyJet
- 17:35 – London Stansted – EasyJet
- 19:25 – London Heathrow – British Airways
REST OF THE UK
- 10:30 – Manchester – EasyJet
- 12:55 – Manchester – Jet2
Once you’re confirmed on a trip, we will send you specific advice. However, in general, you will need:
- Passport or another valid travel document
- Travel insurance
- Road bike
- Cycling shoes and helmet
- Cycling kit for all conditions
- Spare parts – if you have some specific/uncommon accessories or components
- Mobile phone
- Debit/credit card or cash – if you wish to engage in activities outside the cycling trip
You should bring a road bike with drop bars and gears. Your bike must be in full working order. Consider checking/servicing your bicycle before the trip.
All airlines flying to Split offer bike transport for an additional fee. Your bike needs to be packed before it can be put in the aircraft hold. Rules vary slightly between airlines, but in general your bike:
- Must be packaged in a bicycle box or bicycle bag
- Only one bike per box/bag is allowed
- The handlebars must be flush with the frame
- Pedals must be removed or flush against the frame
- No other items can be carried in the bicycle box/bag (i.e. clothing)
- Baggage allowance must not exceed 32kg
Please see Cycling Weekly’s guide to bike bags and boxes for further advice.
If you do not own a bike box, you can rent one. Many companies are offering affordable rental of bicycle boxes across the UK. Some can even deliver the box to you by post. A simple web search will help you research the market. We are available to assist you in this task if needed.
We encourage guest to bring their own bikes. However, if needed we can source out top-specification hire bikes in Croatia. If you require a bike, please contact us well in advance and before paying a deposit. On Island Hvar we are able to source Pinarello and Merida bikes.
Transfers & Accommodation
Yes. Members of our transport team will be there to meet you in person.
The car journey from Split airport to Split ferry port takes about half an hour. Boat transfer to island Hvar takes another 1 to 2 hours, depending on your time of arrival and ferry/catamaran schedule. In total it should not take more than 3 hours to reach the hotel.
The car ride from Hvar to Sucuraj, where we’ll take the ferry to the mainland, takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The ferry ride takes an additional 30 minutes. We’ll drive another 30 minutes before getting on our bikes. In total it should not take more than 3 hours.
The car ride from Tucepi to Split airport is about 1 and a half hours long.
After booking, you will receive a food questionnaire to inform us of your specific dietary requirements. We will aim to meet them in collaboration with the kitchen staff in our hotels.
Cycling
You need to have a good level of fitness and cycling experience to complete the rides. Please compare our routes with your past rides. That said, you certainly do not have to be a professional racer. Our trips are not about racing against other riders. They are about challenging yourself.
On our website, we presented the hard versions of our rides. However, our vast local knowledge allows us to change them on the fly and accommodate to the needs of the group or individual riders. Rides can be made shorter or longer, less or more challenging.
Furthermore, our team will be there every step of the way to support you. We will assist you if you need to stop and rest, ride in the van over some sections, or wish to take a shorter route home.
Experienced guides will ride with you at all times. We will also have support vehicles on the road, usually behind the group. Vehicles will provide food, drinks, clothes and mechanical support. Vehicles can also transport riders and bikes if needed.
We carry all the standard bicycle tools, a bike repair stand, pumps, as well as common spare parts. These will include inner tubes, tyres, chains, lubricants, brake pads, bar tapes and cables. In case of a more significant mechanical failure, we have access to local repair shops.
Your safety is our top priority. Before each ride, we will review routes and highlight any challenging segments. In the unfortunate event of an accident, rest assured you will be in good hands. Our team is competent in first aid and carries all the necessary first aid supplies.
Biokovo climb
Sure. We’ll be there every step of the way. We are in no rush and can give you plenty of time. Just pedal at your own pace. And if you need to rest or skip a part of the climb, no problem.
Of course. We have prepared many alternative routes. Even if you want to do some more climbing up the nearby peaks, we got you covered.
We aim to make you feel like a pro rider. We’ll offer advice and every support imaginable. Bikenauts guides will be on the road with you at all times and our van will always stay within easy reach.