Cycling Around Bilogora: A Journey Through Nature and Heritage

Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Bilogora with Tomislav Galin as he takes us on an unforgettable cycling adventure. From the rolling hills shrouded in morning fog to the picturesque villages and historical landmarks, Bilogora offers an ideal escape for cycling enthusiasts. Join Tomislav as he shares his 100-kilometer journey through the hidden trails, idyllic viewpoints, and cultural treasures of this stunning region. Cycling isn’t just a physical activity—it’s a therapeutic journey for both the body and mind.

Cycling around Bilogora

My favorite ride? A very difficult decision. Every time I get on my bike, I don’t know which direction I’m going to go until the last moment. The Bilogora area offers a handful of options, from beautiful plains to winding hills hidden from the public eye with green forests. I’ve been to almost every corner of that natural region, but recently I decided to explore a part where I haven’t been before. I wanted something bigger, a lot of kilometers, to forget the problems of everyday life at least for a day. Through the morning fog that surrounded the gentle hills of Bilogora, I made my way through beautiful villages that were sights for sore eyes.

With the first rays of the sun, I got the necessary dose of enthusiasm to drive the kilometers and thus get closer to the goal. After a few hours of driving and some demanding roads without asphalt with mostly macadam, I found myself in another county. The goal was located in the idyllic landscapes of Podravina, where the “Klopotec” viewpoint was located. After a short break, I went to take a look around and see great beauties such as Papuk, Psunj, the outline of Hungary, and the course of the Drava River. All this gave me the strength for the ride to return home.

On the way back, I decided to take a different route because my goal was always to get to know as many roads as possible and see new things. The road took me through the native village of Petar Preradović, Grabrovnica, where I stopped to look at the memorial to the Croatian great. Soon I found myself at the border of two natural regions, and I knew that the most difficult part of the journey was waiting for me there. I sailed through small picturesque villages that seemed to stand still in time, watching the sunset in front of me. Idyllic, right? That perfect image was quickly shattered as the tough climbs began, but nothing could shake me. I overcame all the obstacles in front of me and soon found myself on my doorstep. 100 kilometers later, exhausted but extremely grateful that I had succeeded in my plan, I sat down to collect my thoughts.

Why I cycle?

Besides being an extremely healthy activity, cycling helps me a lot in the mental aspect. We discover our character, find out what we are made of, and how strong we really are. The legs endured, and the mind received answers to many important questions that were in my mind during the trip. Therefore, I consider cycling more of a therapy for the mind than a physical activity for the body, although it has exceptional benefits for both purposes.