Gašper Dovžan on Cycling, Diplomacy and Why Slovenia Is a Paradise for Active Travelers
Gašper Dovžan, the Slovenian Ambassador to Croatia, doesn’t just represent his country through official meetings and diplomatic channels, he lives its values of active, sustainable living. In this Bikademy interview, he shares his deep-rooted passion for cycling, developed in the mountainous region of Gorenjska, and how it still shapes his daily routine in Zagreb. Whether you’re a casual rider or an endurance enthusiast, his recommendations and reflections will inspire you to ride further… and think deeper.
You are currently in Zagreb as the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Croatia. How do you experience this role, and what similarities and differences between Slovenia and Croatia would you highlight, especially in terms of active lifestyles?
Relations between Slovenia and Croatia are very intense, which brings with it a great number of responsibilities and tasks. As ambassador, this role allows me to meet many different people – not only in Zagreb, where the Embassy is located, but across Croatia. During the first two years of my mandate, I deliberately visited all Croatian counties and their centers, where I noticed many regional characteristics.
In border areas, which have traditionally had strong ties with Slovenia, there are many similarities in culture, customs, gastronomy, and everyday habits. One of the more obvious differences is music – Slovenian music is almost unknown in Croatia and rarely heard on the radio, while Croatian music is very popular and regularly played in Slovenia.
When it comes to sports, both countries boast a large number of top athletes. Croatia leads in team sports, while Slovenia has strong contenders in individual disciplines. In Croatia, fan culture is particularly developed, while in Slovenia, people perhaps engage more in sport as an integral part of an active lifestyle. Even when they come to Croatia on vacation, Slovenians often bring bicycles and gear for water sports. I also try to spend my free time actively and am glad that Zagreb offers excellent conditions for such a lifestyle – allowing me to walk a lot, swim regularly, and cycle.
How did your love for cycling begin?
I grew up in Mojstrana, in the Gorenjska region, where the bicycle was primarily a means of transportation during my childhood. We used it to visit friends in neighboring villages, to go swimming in nearby lakes, often climbing quite demanding hills. At the start of high school, I bought a neighbor’s road bike, which allowed me to commute cost-free to my student job at a gas station in Kranjska Gora, about fifteen kilometers away.
In the early 1990s, I began taking cycling more seriously and would often climb the Vršič Pass after my summer job. That’s when I truly fell in love with the bike – it gave me a sense of freedom and significantly expanded my world, without depending on money or bus schedules.
Do you cycle in Zagreb, and do you have favorite routes in or around the city?
I generally avoid cycling in Zagreb’s inner city due to traffic congestion, pedestrians, and road cyclists, which isn’t the safest combination. However, I thoroughly enjoy climbing to Sljeme, which I’ve done more than a hundred times already. On weekends, when I have more time, I often go over Sljeme into Zagorje, where I take circular routes – for example, to Marija Bistrica, Zabok, and Krapina – and then return to Zagreb again via Sljeme.
How much does cycling help you with thinking, relaxing, or making important decisions? Do you get your best ideas while riding?
Cycling is undoubtedly the best anti-stress therapy for me. During rides, I can let go of negative thoughts and replenish both physical and mental energy. It’s also excellent training in endurance, perseverance, patience, and concentration – all traits that are necessary in both personal and professional life. Occasionally, a new idea or a different perspective on an important issue comes to me while riding.
However, I must emphasize that safe cycling requires a high level of concentration. Traffic presents many dangers, and cyclists, as the most vulnerable participants, must always remain highly alert.
In diplomatic work, how important are informal connections with the local community – for example, through sports and recreation?
Informal gatherings enabled through sport are extremely important in diplomatic work. Attending national team matches, participating in charity races, or cycling along Zagreb’s main streets during Car-Free Day as part of European Mobility Week are just some of the events we’ve joined along with my embassy colleagues. I was also invited to take part in the Istra300 cycling marathon.
However I have to admit that, as the Slovenian ambassador to Croatia, I actually have even more opportunities for informal networking through cultural events. Across Croatia, there are 18 Slovenian cultural associations that maintain excellent cooperation with local authorities, and their events are frequent meeting points for exchange and connection.
Slovenia is known as a top outdoor destination and a country of active people. Which cycling routes or regions would you recommend to our Bikademy Students?
This is not an easy question to answer, as it depends on individual interests and physical ability. For recreational cyclists who enjoy nature, there are many bike trails built along abandoned railway lines. In Gorenjska, for example, one can ride from Jesenice to Rateče and further toward Italy. Then there’s the Štrekna trail in Koroška, and Parenzana on the coast, connecting Slovenia and Croatia.
We’re also expecting the completion of the cycling route between Bled and Bohinj soon. For more ambitious road cyclists, I’d recommend Dolenjska, Notranjska, and Primorska, which offer varied terrain and challenging climbs. I admit that I still need to get to know Štajerska better, as I haven’t ridden there much yet.
For adrenaline lovers, there are many downhill trails on ski resorts, and Ljubljana offers several pump-track parks. In Slovenia, there really is something for every type of cycling enthusiast.
You’ve traveled much of the world. Is there a place you’d love to return to – and why?
That would undoubtedly be Berlin, where I spent part of my studies and served as head of mission deputy.
Given Europe’s history in the last century, Berlin has a particularly strong and fascinating historical dimension, with many museums and sites commemorating both the dark and bright chapters of world history. At the same time, it’s a very dynamic city that constantly modernizes and offers a vibrant cultural life. Berlin also offers excellent conditions for using bicycles in daily transportation and for combining cycling with trains or the metro. Large green areas, forests, rivers, canals, and lakes significantly enhance the quality of life and provide countless opportunities for outdoor activity.
