Recordings of the five webinars with cyclists’ experiences on Trans Dinarica
Dear future Trans Dinarica riders,
When we first announced the idea of hosting webinars with riders who experienced the Trans Dinarica firsthand, we didn’t yet know who would join us. Then we got a response from 25 cyclists who were willing to share their stories with us. It wasn’t easy, but we tried to choose five different people from different parts of the world who explored different parts of the Trans Dinarica in different ways. After you watch all five, you’ll see that we succeeded. Enjoy watching!
Ben Garbutt: 17 days solo cycling from Slovenia to North Macedonia
Ben cycled from Slovenia to North Macedonia on his way to Istanbul, and as a lover of any food wrapped in pastry, he dedicated his journey to finding the best burek (you may have already read his Burek story). As a humanitarian aid worker, he has lived all over the world, and now, as a husband and father of three, he lives in the UK. For his 50th birthday, he solved a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded behind his back in front of 2,000 people (he’s not even sure how). His presentation is certainly worth watching!
Recording of the webinar with Ben:
Quick recap
Ben shared his experience cycling the Trans Dinarica route from Slovenia to North Macedonia as part of a longer bike journey from Oxford, UK, to Istanbul, Turkey, in September 2025. He discussed his equipment and preparation, including using a Specialized Diverge gravel bike with 38mm tires, panniers, and navigation tools, as well as his accommodation strategy of primarily booking hotels through Booking.com at around 20-25 euros per night; he used his tent 20% of the time.
He was covering approximately 100-120 kilometers daily with climbs averaging 1,500-2,000 meters per day. He recommends purchasing the full navigation package with stage descriptions and points of interest rather than just the basic pack with gpx tracks, though noted that route descriptions can be optimistic and require interpretation. One of the most beautiful parts were areas like the Dinara National Park in Croatia and the Uvac River in Serbia.
Ben emphasized the exceptional hospitality he experienced from locals throughout the Balkans, sharing several examples of kindness from strangers, and noted that the people he met were a key highlight of his journey. He also explained his strategy for dealing with stray dogs in the region, sharing his solution of using a click stand as a deterrent, which he found effective after observing a tour guide in North Macedonia.
He suggests updating the Trans Dinarica Facebook group with travel experiences to connect with other cyclists. And don’t miss his explanation of the concept of Type 1 and Type 2 fun, encouraging others to appreciate both immediate enjoyment and the satisfaction gained retrospectively from challenging activities.
Ciaran McGowan: Early Spring cycling through Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ciaran McGowan from Dublin, Ireland, is a married father of two. He and his friend Pat, both of whom work in technology project management, have taken many bikepacking trips to Spain, France, Italy, Norway, Japan, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany, while 2026 trips include Canary Islands and Greece. It was interesting to hear how all these countries compare to the Trans Dinarica.
Recording of the webinar with Ciaran:
Quick recap
This webinar featured Ciaran and Pat, two experienced cyclists from Ireland, sharing their experience completing the Trans Dinarica cycle route through Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They discussed their 12-day trip covering 1,117 kilometers with 15,000 meters of elevation gain, highlighting the stunning natural beauty, challenging terrain, and cultural experiences along the way.
They noted that while cycling 100 kilometers daily was possible, it was physically demanding and recommended planning shorter stages to allow time for sightseeing.
The webinar included detailed discussions about the three countries visited, with particular praise for Slovenia’s excellent cycling infrastructure and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s cultural sites, while acknowledging some challenges with weather and route navigation.
Ciaran discussed details about their gravel bikes and maintenance practices. They outlined essential cycling equipment including luggage systems, technology, and safety gear, as well as advice on packing light cycling clothes. Ciaran also shared their travel budget, which included approximately £50 per person per night for accommodation (he suggests booking accommodation with flexible cancellation policies) and €80 per person for food, with flights costing £200 to Trieste and €150 to Dubrovnik. Total cost of their trip was about 2,000 euros per person, including logistics like flights, taxis, and ferries.
He emphasized the importance of following Trans Dinarica’s recommended routes rather than deviating, noting that their 100km daily average was too much and caused difficulties, particularly during bad weather. Ciaran recommended a more manageable daily distance of 75-80km and highlighted the value of Trans Dinarica website for planning additional sites to visit beyond the main route. The trip included trip to Bled Lake on the old Bohinj railway, Soča River Valley, Škocjan Caves, Adriatic coast, Mostar, and Dubrovnik, which they reached via Ciro Trail.
Sasha Lansky: A solo female cyclist and gravel racer’s summer adventure
Sasha Lansky is a longtime bicycle tourer and racer based in the US. Off the bike she works in humanitarian response and human rights and runs a small sewing business. Sasha loves bicycles and has had the privilege to run bicycle mechanics and safe riding classes for adolescent girls, bike tour in 18 countries, and race on the road and on gravel around the US and Canada. In the webinar, she spoke about very practical advice regarding bike, tires, equipment, the challenges of cycling through hilly terrain in summer, as well as the safety aspects of being a solo cyclist.
Recording of the webinar with Sasha:
Quick recap
Sasha shared her experiences cycling the Trans Dinarica route in August, when she traveled through five countries including Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. She provided detailed practical advice about equipment, including recommendations for tire sizes and safety equipment, logistics, and challenges she encountered along the route.
Sasha discussed equipment choices, including the benefits of bringing a tent for flexibility and a water filter for accessing water sources along the route. She also advised on gear setup for easier climbing and suggested combination of panniers and fork bags for carrying equipment. She noted that bike shops in the region often have limited hours, recommending carrying spare parts like derailleur hangers and brake pads.
She discussed the significant elevation gains and climbing requirements, the challenging gravel sections with loose surfaces, and the importance of having appropriate gear for hot weather conditions. Sasha also addressed safety concerns, particularly regarding dog encounters in rural areas, and shared insights about accommodation options, transportation logistics, and the realities of route descriptions versus actual difficulty levels. The session concluded with a Q&A portion where participants asked about wild camping regulations and bike transportation options.
Sasha also mentioned her positive experience as a solo female traveler in the region and discussed traffic interactions with drivers, noting generally respectful behavior despite some close passes by larger vehicles.
Vesna Coutureau: Solo Female Cycling from Munich to Tokyo (crossing the Trans Dinarica)
Vesna’s story goes beyond the Trans Dinarica, as the Trans Dinarica was only a small part of a long journey. This is how she announced herself: “Sometimes a great adventure begins with a single push of the pedals. For nine months, I cycled alone from Munich to Tokyo. Through 18 countries, across borders and into the midst of foreign lives. In my slide show, I use pictures and stories to recount encounters, courage, loneliness, happiness and the freedom to simply keep going.”
Recording of the webinar with Vesna:
Quick recap
Vesna shared her experience about cycling the Trans Dinarica route as part of a 9-month, 13,500-kilometer journey from Germany to Japan. She described her journey through 18 countries, highlighting her experiences in the Balkans, including challenges with strong early spring ‘bura’ winds in Croatia, closed roads in Montenegro due to snow, and cultural encounters across different regions.
She shared practical details about her setup, including cycling with a Velotraum bike, using Schwalbe Maraton tires with only four punctures throughout the trip, and maintaining a monthly budget of 500-600 euros. The presentation covered her strategies for dealing with dogs while cycling and her approach to wild camping and interacting with locals across different countries.
She discussed her challenges and strategies for mental health while traveling, including meeting other cyclists and connecting with female bike travelers through WhatsApp groups. At the end, Vesna also provided insights on cycling conditions in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
David Garland: Tips on cycling the Trans Dinarica by e-bike
David Garland, 66, is an American who currently lives in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. From there, he set off on a journey along the entire Trans Dinarica on his electric bike. He adjusted the stages, accommodations, and logistics to his wishes and abilities, met many other TD Travelers along the way, and is very likely the first to cycle the full route on an e-bike. David has also cycled across Europe in recent years, and has experience cycling across four continents. Those who are interested in how e-bikes work in the Balkans are especially welcome to listen his webinar.
Recording of the webinar with David:
Quick recap:
David shared his experience about cycling the entire Trans Dinarica route across eight countries on his electric bike over six months in 2025. David discussed logistics including using full navigation pack via Ride with GPS app, accommodations (from hotels to camping), and the importance of communicating with other cyclists through the Trans Dinarica Travelers Facebook group.
He detailed challenging sections like the difficult 15km route in Serbia and provided insights about charging his e-bike at farms, restaurants, and people’s homes. He added that the ‘walk’ function worked well on flat roads but not on rocky or gravelly terrain. David also discussed his approach to food, recommending goulash as a versatile option and highlighting the convenience of instant couscous for quick meals while traveling.
The webinar concluded with recommendations for future cyclists to read stage descriptions carefully and prepare accordingly for the varying terrain and conditions across the route.
