Best Bike Races in Croatia

1. Adria Bike Plitvice

Croatia's most visited National Park has a bike marathon - combine your love of cycling with this UNESCO wonder. Powered by Husqvarna, the Adria Bike Marathon is held every June, and 2016 will be the fourth time that around 900 bikers from across the globe get together for a weekend of fun. The race organizers claim that this event should not be missed by any mountain biking enthusiast. Racers will enjoy cycling through lush green fields, through wooded forests and several small towns. 

Want to know about the trails? Yeah, us too! This year they are changing the routes, so keep a watch right here as they announce the exact path you and your bike shall take. 

The MTB Marathon includes several categories, including those for men 19-45. Men 45+ as well as an all women's race. 

When: Each June

Starting at:  Plitvice

Register here: adriabike.hr/en/events/adria-bike-marathon-plitvice-2016/

2. Adria Bike Four Islands

Four days, four island and many, many more memories to be had on this race! This unique mountain bike race is done in four stages set on the Adriatic Islands of Krk, Rab, Cres & Losinj in the Primorje Gorski Kotar County of Kvarner.  

When you register, the organizers, Adria Bike tell you "we won’t say it’s a race for everyone…because – it isn’t." So, are you prepared and ready for the mix of breathtaking trails, pushing through the leg pumping pain to cross the finish line?

What makes this race so unique is the sheer diversity of the four stages - when was the last time you cycled four islands in four days? With a good mix of climbs that lead you to spectacular views overlooking the Adriatic, challenging descents and loads of trails taking you through ancient villages you'll be impressed. 

This race is for teams of two participants in the following categories;

• Men up to 45 years
• Men over 45 years
• Women any age
• Mix team of 1 man + 1 woman

Photos: Adriabike.hr 

When: Each April

Starting at: Krk Island

Register here: adriabike.hr/en/events/4-islands-mtb-stage-race/

3. Valamar Terra Magica

This race is open to both professional and amateur mountain bike racers. Set in eastern Istria, day one starts from the seaside town of Rabac traveling along a 20 km-long trail up towards to the once Medieval town of Labin which overlooks Rabac. 

Day two is tougher but just as panoramic. Cycle past the famous Istrian stone houses in the area on the longer marathon, which is just over 70 km. Awaiting keen bikers who are fit and ready is the climb up the 2000 meter hill. Not so keen on that climb? Then, you'd be better off taking a turn at one of two optional detours which will cut your trip into either a 30 or 50 km section of the same race. 

No matter your choice, at the end of the race, you can spend the afternoon frolicking in crystal clear waters of the Adriatic sea.

When: Each May

Starting at: Rabac

Register here: http://www.vtm.bike/

4. Kamenjak Rocky Trails

This race has been running since way back in 1997 - can you remember what you were up to back then? The Kamenjak Rocky Trail bike race attracts big names, and this race counts towards the Croatia Cup XCO, World Championship, and UCI standings. 

This heart pumping race is divided into two races. Day one, Saturday, starts with the XCO (MTB Cross-Country Olympic) and then on Sunday, the XCM (MTB Cross-Country Marathon) kicks off.

The marathon race rolls past the unspoiled Kamenjak National Park. Covering both the upper and lower sections of the national park, the contrasting colors of the lush green vegetation, sparkling azure sea and the white rocks is something that has to be seen in a lifetime. 

The Kamenjak Rocky Trails race is well suited to both recreational and professional cyclists. 

When: April 

Starting at: Kamenjak

Register here: adrenalina.hr/rocky-trails/

5. Kajkavijana 

This year is the 10th annual Kajkavijana race. This bike race tests both your cycling skills and your orienteering abilities. The goal of the race is to reach each of the checkpoints within the designated time limit. Are you ready to try it?

There are several category options with men and women racing separately. Since the race is designed to give your orientation skills a good workout, there are no marks along the way - best of luck finding your way to the finish line. 

Just kidding, there are GPS coordinates that you can plan and prepare yourself with like this.

There are four races. The Great Kajkavijana is a serious ultra-marathon at 245 km, but there are also two shorter races to choose from. The Small Kajkavijana is 135 km, or you can also cycle even less on the shorter course of 85 km. The fourth is something new, a road only race that's being introduced this year. 

When: June

Starting at: Varazdin

Register here: bbk-asi.hr/19-lanci/241-kajkavijana-2016

6. Tour of Croatia

This professional race had to make this list as it's become Croatia's biggest race of all. Even if you are not a pro rider, you can still join the fun and follow the cyclists as they make their way through the six stages.

This race is as the name suggests, a real tour of Croatia, going through regions all vastly different to one another. Starting in Osijek arguably one of the best cycling destinations in Croatia, day one of the Tour of Croatia continues 235 km to Varaždin. 

Day two starts off at Plitvice Lakes and heads the 240 km to the home of Diocletian's Place, Split where riders sprint along the famous Riva waterfront.

Pedals ready, day three starts in Makarska and goes 190 km along the coast, around windy bends to finish into Sibenik, home to the UNESCO-Listed St. James' Cathedral. 

Half way finished, day four will see riders race 122 km starting in Crikvenica and cycle to Ucka before start the 5th day in Porec and ending in 41 km later in Umag.

The last and final day of the tour begins in Sveti Martin na Muri before going 177 km to the grande finale finish in the nation's capital Zagreb. 

It's a thrilling race, join the fun 

When: April

Starting at: Osijek

Register here: tourofcroatia.com/en