Cycling solo across Europe: Interview with Traveler Ante Kovacic
Leaving behind the comfort of routine and stepping into the unknown is a dream many have, but few dare to pursue. Ante Kovačić is one of those few who choose solo cycling. Trading in his desk job for a bike, he set out on a solo journey across Europe, covering thousands of kilometers, encountering breathtaking landscapes, and facing both physical and mental challenges along the way.
In this interview, Ante shares his experiences of life on the road – how he first got into cycling, the highs and lows of long-distance travel, and the lessons he’s learned from the incredible people he’s met. From unexpected obstacles to the pure joy of adventure, his story is an inspiration for anyone dreaming of a journey beyond the ordinary.
Ante, you have always been active and played football at a serious level. When did you transition to other activities like cycling, organizing quizzes, and hiking?
Well, first, I’d like to clarify what you mean by “serious level,” as it’s quite debatable how serious football can really be in Dubrovnik, where professional football practically doesn’t exist. But yes, I was involved in football from an early age, and by the time I was 16, I had joined a senior third-league team, which was semi-professional in the sense that we sometimes had two training sessions a day. So, at least from my perspective, I took it much more seriously than it probably was in reality. During those youthful years, which I like to call my past life, football was my sole focus and almost the only thing I thought about.
As I grew and matured, my relationship with football changed, as I believe it naturally should – our priorities shift as we get older. I don’t think it would be healthy to have the same mindset and level of interest in the same activities at 18 and at, say, 30.
As I gradually moved away from football and devoted less time to it, other activities naturally started filling that space. I realized that they also interested me, and some of them were exactly the ones you mentioned.
You also created a tourism-based game, Curious Card Dubrovnik. What is it about?
Yes, actually, a friend and I came up with the idea during the COVID period when there were no tourists in Dubrovnik. We wanted to offer visitors a different perspective of the city, one that locals see. The game operates on a donation basis, meaning it’s essentially free, and it revolves around a treasure hunt for lesser-known locations within the city walls, places that aren’t famous tourist attractions but are very important to locals.
How did you decide to start exploring destinations by bike? And what were some of your first cycling trips?
Honestly, I don’t even remember exactly how or why I started. In Dubrovnik, very few people cycle at all, and I think I’ve always had this inner need to stand out and be different in some way. That’s probably one of the reasons I got into it initially.
I also always enjoyed solitude, which was another reason. Cycling trips gave me the perfect opportunity to escape, get away, and reconnect with myself for a few hours.
And then, once you complete your first 50 km ride, something in you won’t let you stop – you start wondering how it would feel to push for 70 km or even 100 km. That’s how the urge to challenge myself started growing. Eventually, I fell in love with the feeling of freedom that cycling gives, which I believe is something all cyclists understand. It’s now the thing I love the most.
After all these adventures, you made a complete life shift—you quit your job and embarked on a real-life adventure. What led you to make that decision?
I quit my job because I realized my life was heading in a direction that I had fallen into at a young age without really thinking it through or consciously choosing it. Everything just kind of happened: I graduated from university, got a job right after, and at first, as a young person, I found it exciting and engaging. But over time, I fell into a routine, a cycle that wasn’t easy to break.
At some point, I realized I was working and essentially living a job that didn’t provide me with any deeper meaning. Since we spend almost a third of our lives at work, wasting so much time on something meaningless wasn’t an option for me.
Of course, it’s easy to say all this, but in reality, you have to make a living. I had the same concerns, but I started working on something I truly loved as a hobby. When you do something you believe in, I think things naturally fall into place to make that life possible.
That’s exactly what happened to me. By the time I quit my job, I had already developed my business with quizzes and my game, so I was able to leave my old job with confidence and gratitude.
Where are you now, and what has been the most interesting part of your journey?
I’m currently in Seville, about four months into my cycling trip around Europe. I don’t know what to highlight because this entire journey has been a fascinating experience in itself.
The most significant aspect is dealing with internal struggles – staying positive despite all kinds of challenges, dealing with loneliness, which is inevitable on such a journey… There have been a lot of adventures, and I’ve met so many incredible people, especially through the Warm Showers platform.
Unfortunately, the most “interesting” part has probably been the fact that I’ve been robbed three times in four months – once my bike, then my laptop, and then again my laptop and phone. But I see all of this as a game and a challenge, it’s a test of whether I can stay positive after each setback and still find something good in every situation.
Waking up in a different place and a different city almost every morning is already an adventure in itself.
Your journey also has a humanitarian aspect. Can you tell us more about that?
Yes, that’s one way I try to find something positive in every situation. On Christmas morning, my bike and most of my gear were stolen outside my hostel in Valencia. I was devastated and seriously considered quitting and going home.
I shared my thoughts on social media, and I was overwhelmed by the incredible support and energy from friends and acquaintances. Many people offered financial help to buy a new bike because they recognized that I was living my dream – and I think people love seeing that.
But for me, money wasn’t the issue. I have a job that I can do while traveling, and I had enough resources to continue. So I suggested that instead of helping me directly, they donate the money to a special fund I set up, which we then donate to someone in need every 2,000 km I cycle.
What are your future plans?
Right now, my only focus is completing this long-time dream of cycling around Europe. My plan is to go from Seville to Portugal, then follow the Camino route to Santiago de Compostela. I’m considering sending my bike to Santiago and walking that section instead.
After that, I plan to cycle to Bilbao, where there’s a ferry to Ireland. From there, I might go to the UK and then return to mainland Europe, either Belgium or Amsterdam.
Once I get there, the “sweet worries” begin, figuring out how to get back to Dubrovnik. I only plan my journey in detail a day or two ahead, and I have a rough idea of where I’ll be over the next month. But beyond that, it’s all just dreams and imagination. On a trip like this, you can’t plan too much in advance and that’s one of the things I love the most.
Can you recommend a few must-visit cycling destinations for adventurers?
It really depends on what someone prefers and wants from their trip. That’s why I don’t like those typical lists of “places everyone must visit at least once.”
I usually avoid such places because they tend to be crowded with tourists.
I’ve cycled a lot around Croatian islands, and visiting them in October, when the weather is still great but the tourist season is over, is one of the best experiences for me.
Corsica is challenging and mountainous, but stunning and unique. Andalusia, where I am now, is also beautiful – it reminds me a lot of Tuscany. These regions are definitely on many cyclists’ lists.
But in the end, I believe the destination is always secondary to the overall experience. No matter where you go, let the journey itself be the goal – because, in everything, the most beautiful things come from within.
