E-BIKE
The E-BIKE Experience
My legs are no longer heavy, the road is finally flat, and the sun is shyly peeking behind the clouds. To my right is the dense forest of Moslavačka gora, to my left a babbling stream is turning into a waterfall. I think that was the moment, somewhere on the 15th kilometer of the E-bike challenge on Moslavačka gora, when I realized how beautiful and simple life really is. The head is empty, the stress of everyday life is away, there's just me, the forest and my two e-wheels. This is what physical exertion does to a person, especially when it alternates with bursts of adrenaline, when you are surrounded by nature as it once was, before the human hand began to intervene in it in cold blood.
The moment of a complete zen state of mind occurred to me about halfway through the route we had been riding on electric bicycles, a small group of enthusiasts, under the watchful eye of experienced guides. At the end of the five-hour adventure, we proudly watched the total figures: 37.5 kilometers remained under our wheels, of which almost a kilometer was on a steep hill.
A Day with Local Guides
So, I found myself on one such tour. In mediocre physical shape, with no idea of how an electric bike works (to tell the truth, I secretly hoped that it would ride uphill instead of me), and most sadly, with no idea of how beautiful this part of Croatia was, that somehow had always slipped under my radar.
We gathered at Villa Garić in Podgarić, a picnic area owned by a local hunting association and which is about an hour drive away from Zagreb. With coffee and rolls, we met our guides and other participants. There were three of us, and a couple from Slavonski Brod who decided to celebrate the 29th anniversary of their marriage on this adventure - another inspiring story in a day that abounded in them. Our small harmonious group sat on seven bikes, got acquainted with
how they work and the challenge could begin. After a short test ride on our new electric vehicles to the Monument to the Revolution of the people of Moslavina by sculptor Dušan Džamonja, our e-bike challenge began.
Historical Significance of Garić Grad
After the first difficult climb, we realize that what is waiting at the top is worth every drop of sweat. Garić grad is a fortress built during the 13th century along a large medieval road. Throughout history, numerous owners had claimed it: Hungarian-Croatian kings, Zagreb bishops, Slavonian counts- An important part of history was the period from 1412 to 1415 when it belonged to Barbara of Celje, known as the Black Queen. In the 16th century, the Ottomans set it on fire and razed it to the ground, after which it was left to decay and oblivion. In the 20th century it was renovated and today, viewed from the outside, it tells the story of its turbulent history.
After a short break with a history lesson, it's time to get back on the bikes. The trail is no longer so steep and we manage to overcome all the uphills we come across with the "turbo" option, our best friend on the tour. The landscape on the route changes from one minute to the next, the forest is green, the streams murmur- Ahead of us is the beautiful lookout point
Vis, then Humka, the highest peak of Moslavačka gora at an altitude of 488 meters, and kilometers and kilometers of trails through the forest.
And while at the beginning of the tour the biggest challenge was a steep uphill, later it seemed like a piece of cake compared to the uneven terrain which, soaked in rain, occasionally threatened with muddy puddles, sharp stones, wet leaves- We all successfully passed the most challenging parts of the route and rushed to Villa Garić down a steep road, the same one we had barely climbed at the beginning.
That moment when we all got off our bikes, took off our helmets is a moment of pride that I believe athletes, marathon runners and mountain climbers feel after conquering some hitherto unattainable goals. With goulash at Villa Garić, Matija opens the application and shows us on the map the route we have travelled, the total kilometers and altitude. "It seems to me that we had rolls and coffee here a few days ago, not this morning.", says one of the participants. And that sentence sums up all our impressions. Lots of adventures and challenges in one day, an experience in Moslavačka gora that will be remembered.
| 1. Moslavina | 2. Carić Grad Fortress