Cycling the Southern Balkans to the End of Europe

Bikepacking across high passes and along rain soaked roads, through fields and forests, following the course of rushing rivers, along misty mountain roads, through quiet villages with friendly company, battling the elements and busy highways. This is cycling across the Southern Balkans. The last push across the European continent.

From May 2022 until June 2024, I went on a 41,500km solo bicycle touring journey around the world, that took me through 26 countries. This is the 20th episode overall, and the 10th from Europe.

http://nathanstarzynski.com
http://instagram.com/nathanstarzynski
http://strava.com/athletes/11931386

Route Map:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55488716
https://nathanstarzynski.com/route-map

Gear List:

0:00 Intro
0:26 Climb into Galicica National Park
1:09 Views over Lake Ohrid
2:14 Over the pass
3:56 Caught in a rainstorm/hailstorm/thunderstorm
5:53 Pelagonia Plain
7:22 Descent time!
8:48 Demir Kapija
10:54 Into Bulgaria
11:49 The quiet climb
13:43 Paril saddle descent
14:19 The Rhodopes
15:24 Cheshmas
15:50 Surprise rains
17:46 Hilltop chapel camp
19:20 Vacha downstream
19:58 Shirokalaksha upstream to Prevala pass
21:04 Downhill through Smolyan
22:04 Sunset climb
22:53 Rhodopean puppies
24:09 Storms
25:52 Stunning ride after the storms
26:59 Varbitsa River and Kardzhali
27:41 Just turning the pedals
29:20 Svilengrad and Maritsa River
30:30 Island surprise
31:06 Into Turkiye
31:54 Luleburgaz bicycle academy
32:25 D100 disaster
33:19 Off the highway
34:01 Last day across Europe
34:49 The Bosporus finish
35:16 Reflections