This year’s first SloEnduro Day, a non-competitive event, is now behind us. We were hosted by GKD Borovci in Ilirska Bistrica.
It was a bit of a last-minute decision, as the organizers hadn’t received the necessary environmental permit to hold the race. The start or end of the season are more suitable dates for SloEnduro Day, so attendance wasn’t record-breaking. But the thirty or so riders and their companions had a wonderful day—or rather, weekend—at Črne njive, which is the collective name for the trails above Ilirska Bistrica, built and maintained by Matej Krebelj and members of the Borovci club.
Once again, a diverse group of experienced competitors and newcomers, including young riders, gathered. And not just from Slovenia all the way to MTB Lendava—friends from Austria, Italy, and Hungary also came.
Timed Runs on Topol
The lower section of the Topol trail, where the Mags Timing team—the standard timing crew for the SloEnduro series—had set up shop, was perfectly prepared. So were the other trails all the way up to the summit of Štanga at 1,101 meters above sea level. On foot, with the help of an electric bike, or by shuttle. Anyone who wanted to rack up runs on Topol simply stuck to the base of the mountain, since the descent from Štanga via Polžek, Kozlek, and Ahac already does a fine job of tiring out your legs. And then there’s the nearly two-minute “race” all the way back to town.
The record-holder managed a full seven timed runs—all after riding up. And he was mong the fastest.
Sunday on Trails and Gravel
Some stayed in Ilirska Bistrica through Sunday, when there was even more time to explore and enjoy everything the hills beneath Velika Milanja, Sviščaki, and Snežnik have to offer.
And not only that, but also for the mostly gravel-road adventure known as the Brkinska klasika, which took place on the other, southwestern side of town.
Thanks for a great weekend, Matej and the gang! See you in 2027… at a race!
Of course, you’re all invited to visit Črne njive anytime—the trails are truly excellent. On Trailforks
