DAgravel

We save the toughest of our three challenges for the end. The forests of the mighty Papuk call you to an unforgettable (until next year) cycling experience along forest rivers, over mountain passes, through fir forests, and deep ravines where it is always cold and dark. The routes follow gravel forest roads, with only a few kilometers passing through villages and fields. The surface is mainly gravel (both fine and coarse), except for 6 km of asphalt. The start and finish are at the Petrov Vrh Mountain Lodge above Daruvar (accessed from the city center through Vineyards). After the winding bumps below Petrov Vrh, the route descends towards Gornje and Donje Borke, spiced with an ascent for warming up. This is followed by a 7 km descent, then a left turn along the Bijela River leading to the first feed zone. Here it separates from the BLUE and GREEN routes, turning onto a long climb to the pass between Mali and Veliki Javornik, then rushing back towards the river where it reconnects with the BLUE route. It continues along the river to the most beautiful and highest part of DAgravel. After a dizzying descent through a fir forest, at the second feed zone, all routes will merge and gradually climb together until the last 6 km, which will drain all remaining strength.

From Petrov Vrh to the cement plant (the lowest point of DAgravel) there is an almost continuous descent with some bumps to break the monotony, then enjoyable cycling through the forest along the river, almost to its source, followed by an almost continuous climb from 180 to 660 meters above sea level (the highest point of DAgravel). A few kilometers before the second feed zone, the BLUE route separates from the GREEN and joins the RED.

Ride with the BLUE route almost to the second feed zone where they briefly separate (for the GREEN route) before all three merge again (see above!). The beautiful, easy ride through the forests of Papuk is spiced up only at the end because the more serious climbs await in the last 10 kilometers.