The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Balkan Delight 2024

August 29th to September 12th

Ride Coordinator: Kate Gordon
Report by: Jim Rossett

It must be said at the outset that this was a spectacular ride for numerous reasons including the hard work and fantastic leadership of the Ride Leader, amazing support and guidance by the tour company (Cycle Albania) represented by Erlis (Lead Guide) and Tani (Driver, Mechanic, etc.), and an AWESOME group of participants that interacted extremely well with much humor and support for each other. 

As far as the actual ride and all that it entailed, I will summarize it as 15 days of wonderful and unique experiences, spectacular scenery, sometimes surprising events and encounters, culturally enlightening, and gratifying interactions with the people of Albania, N. Macedonia and Montenegro.  More specifically, I would describe as follows:

8/29/24: Tirana, Albania   Upon arriving the night before we were immediately overwhelmed by all the lights, numerous people strolling, and vibrant nightlife.  Most of participants did an extremely informative guided tour of the city.  We had our first of many delicious 6 – 7 course Albania (and Montenegro) dishes.

8/30/24: Ohrid, N. Macedonia.  Took a 2.5 hour van ride out of Tirana getting our first glimpse of the beautiful mountainous region.  We then began our exciting adventure by riding along majestic Lake Ohrid (World Heritage Site) as well as took a guided tour of this unique city.

8/31/24: Peshkopi, Albania.   Biked to Peshkopi along the wonderous  Black Drin River which flows out of Lake Ohrid where lots of steep mountains could be seen with long climbs and lots of amazing rock structures including the magnificent Mount Korab which is the highest peak of both Albania and North Macedonia.

9/1/24: Kukes, Albania. Biked to Kukes (City of the Color Trail) seeing gorgeous lakes including Lake of Fierza where the Drin River runs through and the limestone mountain of Gjallica contrasted against the impressive Black Drin Valley.

9/2/24: Dardha, Albania. Biked to Dardha (pear in Albanian) which is a remote mountain village nestled between the Morava and Gramoz Mountains and has been a well-known ski area since the 1920's.  This was the most challenging ride (51 miles/6,496’) rewarded with an abundance of magnificent mountain and river views.

9/3/24: Shkoeder, Albania.  Biked to Shkoeder with captivating sights of lakes and Drin River as well as nice downhill to the Alpin Ferry which was a lovely 2.75 hour ride along the Drin River.  The city lies between the southern part of Lake Skadar (Lake Shkodër: largest lake in Southern Europe along border of Albania and Montenegro) and the foothills of the Albanian Alps.

9/4/24: Andrijevica, Montenegro.  After 1 hour van ride we started with a long, twisting and exhilarating descent with breathtaking scenery along the way including lakes and along Luca River. This was the start of our entry in Montenegro and amazing region of rugged mountain peaks, beautiful forests, deep river gorges and the picturesque Adriatic Sea.

9/5/24: Kolasin, Montenegro.  Biked to Kolasin with luscious green mountain scenery and rode thru first tunnel. Three of us also rode to the ski resort Kolašin.

9/6/24: Zabljak, Montenegro.  Biked to Zabljak which is located in Durmitor National Park. We rode through Biogradska Gora National Park (UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves) as we followed the Tara River resulting in an amazing scenic ride.  The rainforest, which covers 1,600 hectares of the park, is one of only three remaining virgin forests left in Europe.

9/7/24: Pluzine, Montenegro.  Biked to Pluzine (located near the Lake Piva which was spectacular)  through the Durmitor National Park and passing the awesome Tara Canyon (deepest canyon in Europe and second in the world).

9/8/24: Centije, Montenegro.  Biked to Centije with wonderful views of more limestone mountainous terrain including Mount Lovcen National Park.  It is the former royal capital of Montenegro and is the location of several national institutions.  We did a walking tour which was extremely informative of culture, history, politics, etc.

9/9 & 10/24: Kotor, Montenegro.  Biked to Kotor @ 6 am to avoid rain and see extraordinary views of Kotor Bay and city.  We spent two relaxing days enjoying the views of the bay and sights of the city.

9/11/24: Tirana, Albania.  Biked 24 miles to get a final opportunity to appreciate Montenegro and Albania including gorgeous views of Adriatic Sea.  We had our last dinner with the disappointment that this PHENOMENAL  ADVENTURE was ending.