2026 sold out · 2027 waitlist 20 June 2026

The Grand Escape · Event 01

Italy/Slovenia

550km through Friuli, the Julian Alps and Slovenia. No race. Your pace.

Join the 2027 waitlist

When

20 Jun 2026 (sold)

Next edition: 2027

Where

Udine

Format

Loop · same start & finish

Across 3 countries

Distance

550 km

Registration

How to register

Registration runs through Bike Adventure Series, the platform behind our series. You'll need a BAS account, your card, and a couple of minutes. The full walkthrough — pricing, what's included, and the exact steps — lives on the registration page.

See how registration works

Stop when you want. For as long as you want. Take that photo at the turquoise river. Have a second coffee at the mountain hut. Chat with the rider you just met on the climb.

● See it with your own eyes

Watch the past edition

Take a look inside the 2025 edition and hear the opinion of the riders

Places you'll cross

A ride through 10 landscapes

The loop is curated so every day brings a different world.

Udine, start & finish

Tagliamento River

Crossing the border

Vršič Pass

Triglav National Park

Soča Valley

Lake Bled

Ljubljana

Southern Slovenia

Cividale del Friuli

Udine, start & finish: Your adventure starts in the heart of Friuli. Wander through Via Mercato Vecchio, climb to the castle for views over the city, then fuel up with Frico and local wine. A taste of what's to come.
Tagliamento River: Europe's last wild river. Its bed and winding meanders have remained untouched for millennia. As you cross its bridges, you'll feel the ancient energy of water that refuses to be tamed.
Crossing the border: Past Lago del Predil, you'll reach the historic fortifications marking the Italy-Slovenia border. Built during Austro-Hungarian times, these walls witnessed centuries of European history. Now you ride through them, borders erased, pedaling into a new country.
Vršič Pass: Slovenia's highest paved Alpine pass. Fifty hairpin bends. Each one offers a new view of the Julian Alps. Originally built for military purposes during World War I, this road winds through forests and rocky terrain until the summit offers a panoramic view that makes the climb worth every turn.
Triglav National Park: Slovenia's only national park, named after Mount Triglav (2,864m) — the country's highest peak and national symbol. Clear alpine springs, pristine forests, and the kind of silence that reminds you why you started cycling in the first place.
Soča Valley: The river is so turquoise it looks photoshopped. It's not. You'll ride alongside it for kilometers, watching it meander through deep gorges and green pastures. The quiet roads here feel like an invitation to lose yourself — and find something else entirely.
Lake Bled: You've seen the photos. Now ride there. The island church, the clifftop castle reflected in clear water. Stop for kremšnita, the famous cream cake. Watch the light change. This is the Slovenia of postcards — and it's even better on a bike.
Ljubljana: Europe's greenest capital. The Ljubljanica River flows under picturesque bridges, including the famous Dragon Bridge. Baroque architecture meets modern design. Ljubljana Castle offers panoramic views of the city below. Coffee here tastes better after 400km.
Southern Slovenia: Thick forests, mysterious karst lakes, and the untouched nature of Notranjski Regijski Park. In between: hills and fields on the open horizon. Then Nova Gorica, a city symbolically united with its Italian twin Gorizia through a shared square.
Cividale del Friuli: Nestled in the Friulian hills, this medieval town deserves its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Cross the Ponte del Diavolo, watch the Natisone River flow beneath you, then walk the ancient streets of a town that has been here for centuries. The perfect final chapter before returning to Udine. (Try the Gubana!)

From Udine you follow the Tagliamento — Europe’s last wild river — then cross into Slovenia past Austro-Hungarian fortifications. Emerald rivers, alpine passes, enchanted forests, and roads so quiet you’ll forget traffic exists. 550 km, 100% on tarmac, mostly on dedicated cycle paths: your bike is perfect for this.

● Soča valley, morning

A day on the road

River, coffee, pass, repeat

Morning espresso by the Soča. You spin alongside turquoise water for an hour before the road tilts up. Lunch is trout and polenta in a village of forty people. Afternoon: one pass, one descent, one arrival at a guesthouse where the owner pours you a schnapps whether you asked or not.

What's included

Everything you need, nothing you don't

Route guide (paper + digital) after months of scouting
Starter & Finisher package
Exclusive Grand Escape cycling cap
Personal live tracking with public map
Private WhatsApp group for updates
Professional photography & videography
Full photo gallery download after the event
Event insurance for the full duration
Expert cyclist customer support
Digital bikepacking guide with tips
Event dashboard with all info in one place
Bike Adventure Series board points
High-quality cotton event T-shirt
Finisher badge
Live YouTube Q&A with organizers
Event-specific bikepacking bag

Soča river, first light

Riders on the road

What they remember

It was great not to have the pressure of a race. Everyone was in the same mood.

Marco Italy

On every climb I wondered why we were going this way. And later it became clear why this path was chosen. The views were incredible. I love Slovenia.

Michał Poland

Sometimes I rode with someone, then lost them, then found them again. That is the wonderful thing about the Grand Escape — you are not riding alone. The turquoise water of the Soča is incredibly beautiful. Every climb is rewarded with a wonderful view.

Tanja Austria

Many protected cycle paths… very safe for us, not stressed by traffic.

Céline France

Super well organized and convenient places to stay. We created so many memories and laughed a lot.

Marloes Netherlands

My eyes and heart are full of amazement. Already counting down to the next edition!

Giulia Italy

After this adventure I'm considering NorthCape4000 — it suddenly feels possible.

Maciej Poland

Above Kobarid

What you'll find at The Grand Escape

Cycling, the way you first fell for it

We believe cycling should feel like it did when you first discovered the joy of two wheels. Before power meters and social media turned rides into spreadsheets. Before every hill became a competition and every photo became content.

The Grand Escape brings back what matters: the smell of morning air on empty roads, conversations that happen naturally when you share miles with strangers, the satisfaction of reaching a viewpoint not because you beat a time but because you chose to be there.

This is cycling stripped of everything that doesn't serve the essential truth: bikes make life better when we let them.

01

No race

Ride at your own pace. No KOMs, no fastest time, no plastic trophies. The people around you aren't your adversaries — they're your companions. Together you'll share good times, real challenges, and joy.
02

Human-curated routes

We're cyclists like you, and we don't enjoy straight busy roads. Our routes are hand-scouted and tested all year. Backroads, cycle paths, hidden secrets, always great scenery. No impossible climbs. No AI bullshit.
03

Be in good company

Come with friends, your partner, or solo. You'll leave with new friendships. The people who come here don't race each other — it's a relaxed vibe with zero wanna-be-pro stuff.
04

Your pace, your time

No fixed times, no checkpoints, no cut-offs. Ride it fast or ride it slow. The route doesn't care. You decide where to sleep, where to eat, when to stop. The definitive unsupported bikepacking experience — your way.

● Vršič pass, early morning

The quiet between climbs

The silence after the pass

Vršič at dawn. The fifty hairpins still ahead. You stop halfway because there's nobody behind you and nobody in front, and the valley looks greener than it should. Months later, this is the minute you'll remember — not the kilometres.

Julian Alps — see you in 2027

FAQ

Before you sign up

This edition is sold out. Can I still join?

No, sorry. Leave your email to join the 2027 waitlist. You'll get priority access to the next edition, plus the route preview and packing list in the meantime.

How do I register when 2027 opens?

Create an account on bikeadventureseries.com and join the Italy/Slovenia waitlist. When registration opens, we email the list first — it almost always sells out before opening publicly.

Do I need a medical certificate?

Yes, it is required for your insurance (not optional). You don't need to upload it during registration; you can get it later. We'll provide a template for non-Italian residents. For Italian residents, you'll need a "Certificato Medico Agonistico specifico per il ciclismo"

Are all routes on roads?

Yes, the entire route is on tarmac. We hand-pick backroads, cycle paths and quiet connections so you focus on the landscape, not on traffic — about 60% cycle paths, 40% quiet secondary roads.

What bike should I bring?

Gravel, road or endurance bike with 28–32 mm tires works perfectly. E-Bikes are welcome too.

Any time limits or checkpoints?

None. No cutoffs, no mandatory checkpoints, no leaderboard. You ride the 550 km at your own pace, over the days that suit you.

Where do I sleep and eat?

There are plenty of hotels and B&Bs along the route. We share suggestions in the digital guide, but the daily logistics stay in your hands, so you can plan your stages as you wish.

What if I register and can't participate?

As per the rules, which you must read before registering, there are no refunds, partial refunds, or transfers of registration to the following year or other editions.

Are the start and finish in the same place?

Yes, it's a loop that starts and finishes in Udine. Easier logistics!

How do I reach Udine?

Udine is easy to reach from across Europe. Closest airports are Trieste (40km, direct train in 32–40 min, bikes welcome), Venice Marco Polo (~2h via ATVO bus + train from Mestre), and Treviso (~90 min by bus + train). By train: Udine is on the Vienna–Rome line; Trenitalia regional trains accept bikes with a small supplement. By car: A23/A4 intersection with plenty of long-stay parking.

Where can I leave my bike box?

Secure bike-box storage is available near the start/finish in Udine — details and addresses are shared in the event dashboard after registration.

I have never done bikepacking — what do I need?

A bike in good working order, two small bags (handlebar + saddle or frame), basic repair tools, and the will to enjoy the road. The digital guide walks you through bike setup, packing, and pacing. You don't need experience, just a bit of curiosity.

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