In this video I continue riding through Croatia, picking up from Crikvenica and riding south over five days to Muskovci, taking in Senj, Kransno, Baške Ošarije, Gospić and Lovinac along the way.
I could feel the route starting to ramp up a bit over these few days, there are a couple of big climbing days, including one with over 1600 metres of ascent on some lovely gravel. The scenery through this part of Croatia is absolutely stunning and gets wilder and more dramatic the further south we go. It is as the challenge of the route increases that I am particularly loving the slower pace we are taking, we are just doing as much as we want in a day, and are taking our time where we want to.
Highlights of this episode include some wonderful food at various stops along the way, a wild camp under the stars, and what might be one of the best campsites of the whole trip at the end of the video in Muskovci. It was right next to a river, with a natural basin fed by small waterfalls tumbling in from every direction. You’ll have to see it to believe it.
The Trans Dinarica is a 5,500km bikepacking route crossing eight countries through the Balkans — Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania.
An extended version of this episode is available to channel members, if you’d like to watch more and support the channel it’s just £1.99 a month.
Thank you for watching.
Links:
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Ko-fi (If you want to support the channel): https://ko-fi.com/matryder
Review channel (where I review a lot of the gear I will be using on this trip):
https://youtube.com/@matryderreviews?si=XXmCNUNMUqcF9hAA
If you want to find out a bit more about the Trans Dinarica: https://www.transdinarica.com/
41 Comments
Beautiful WTH 😍
I really enjoy your content, It inspires me to go on trips like this myself one day, I am going to Belgium for a 4 day guided ride, but I hope in the future to be able to ride for more days and not rely on anyone else. I can't wait to see the rest of this series.
Great video as always, longer ones though please!
Bill, coming out of his shell a little, I love it. You guys look like your having a blast . I am definitely jealous, what an amazing trip and the scenery is beautiful…and why is the American drinking tea and the Brit coffee?😂
The food looks great!
1600 year old aquaduct in that opening shot!
Great Stuff!
thanks guys, wonderful sights as always. enjoy
Excellent chaps. Looks amazing. 👍🏼
Awesome video thank you
Hey Mat,
BEST of LUCK on your trip though Croatia.
Wish I could join you,
Your friend,
Dave in Ft Collins USA.
Really enjoying this series. The scenery has been beautiful. Thanks for the work you and Ross put into the videos for us to enjoy.
beautiful scenery!
The teetertoter – joyful like 2 year-olds! LOL. Wow! That lake with the waterfalls–spectacular! What a treat. I bet you really miss work like you miss a toothache.
I look forward to every upload, thanks for taking the time to share!
It's always so interesting to see your country through the eyes of a foreigner. Being a mountain biker and a hiker I don't even need a map to know where you were in each shot. Funny thing, I'm from Zadar, and right now I'm drinking the water from that spring at 25:50 😂😂 Because I'm a guide I frequently cross over Velebit there with tourist so I bring water canisters with me to fill up water there to take home. That camp spot at the Berberov Buk waterfall on Zrmanja river is where I finish my tour with a swim. So glad you like it, but it is impossible not to 😀 Well, you got recommended a video ago, so I checked also the ride from Germany to Slovenia. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. Really like your videos, great pace, lovely shots, enough info. I might stay here even after this Trans Dinarica series ends 🍻
Another great video. Croatia looks beautiful – just like Slovenia did. 👍
too easy so far, we want to see you suffer, hehe
Our Welsh and American ambassadors to Europe are doing well and boosting local economies all up and down the Trans-Dinarica. The waterfalls at the end there were spectacular!
Hi guys! Lovely trip you're on. I like bills cap, what brand is it? And the salad looks marvelous.
Awesome footage Mat, its feels like we are right there with you and Bill. You make it look easy. Legend! Q, Do you use your extension handlebar grips? Also what brand of front handlebar bag does Bill use? Happy trails fellas. Arnie
As promissed, the action starts from Senj. Good work! 🙂 It's nice to travel with you.
Niiice Apoollooooosa!
Hi Matt. I love your videos and have followed you for all your trips now. I wonder if I can make a comment , and it’s meant with honesty and appreciation for your channel and content. In fact you inspired me to ride 1300 km along the Danube on a 15 day solo bike packing trip 2 years ago. And because of this I just say, I miss your videos from your solo trips, where you really share your thoughts and introspection and share your ups and downs . And it’s these video moments that I cherish the most. I’m not suggesting you ride alone – as I understand the positives of sharing your adventures, but I miss you bearing your sole a little . I hope you don’t mind me saying ( and it is in no way a reflection of your ride companions on your last few adventures either ). Perhaps you could consider your current format with a little more introspection and deeper ( darker . 😂 ) thoughts along the journey . Take care, enjoy, and keep you the vlogs. Cheer
Why is the moth named after the bird and not the other way 'round? I say we call the birds Hummingmoth birds from now on.
Guys, j=y, it's Lutsiya, and Senj is like in Senor (Spanish).
I did parts of that route on a bike, met mama bear and three cubs on the road to Krasno (heart-stopping stuff), there used to be a destroyed tank on the top of your last climb, and I think I pinched the nerves in my palms for good on that last gravel descent, no V-brakes then, cantilever only… you just missed Nikola Tesla's (yes, THAT Tesla) birth house near Gospić.
Sold, I mostly want the start and end.
I think I have seen pretty much all your videos. I have to say that this section is truly remarkable and may be the most relaxing and scenic bit of riding to date. Enjoy this great experience!
I love watching your videos. You are so funny! Look forward to the next one ❤
Leaves camp at 11am every morning and ponders doing an ultra race.😅
Wow, spectacular scenery, juggling AND bouldering.
Great video! I just got into content creation and I'm wondering do you edit the videos by yourself? Anyways, I hope you enjoy Croatia, you'll be passing pretty close to my town 😀
Will You film bike checks of people you ride with or owner explaining their bike? That would be cool I think.
Check out roadside stands with fruit, olive oil, wine, juices and rakija. Of course be careful with rakija, maybe save it for the night before zero days.
Lokal lager, Ozujsko, Karlovacko hits just right if its cooled down and consumed while sitting in a river, stream or lake. Highly recommend it.
Also the amount of elevation gain is amazing, you all are in really good state.
Gear question. Do you guys ride with knicks/padded shorts, or don’t worry because they dry slowly?
Great update on your ride. Glad you got a friend with you. Its so good to see you on another adventure. Looking forward to the next update. Safe travels
Once again, an extremely entertaining and enjoyable video. Also, should note the superb editing by Ross back home.
Another fantastic video!! This tour looks top notch! Not too many miles each day, a greatriding companion, and fantastic scenery,food, and places to stay!! I really appreciate you taking the time to do your great video coverage and share this with us!! I miss touring so much… Thanks again!!
Oh, I never found out what happened about your brake pads wearing so fast and sis you get them replaced??
I just finished travelling the baltics, with bikepacking Tallinn to Pärnu which was fantastic but wet haha. Now back in Slovakia and hoping you can survive this heatwave!
i think the new viewers might like to hear how you and Billy met.