4Islands MTB Croatia

[babse]

anyone gone to 4island MTB? 

Saw on IG it started today with a few local voices.

[BMCfan]

Reviving babse old thread

 

I wanna enter the race and would like some input from peeps that done it before. I am torn between hotel and boat accomodation. the boat experience sounds cool, but is it worthwhile?

 

I recollect that @Kylie done a write up, but cant find it. I might be mistaken

[JarradVZ]

Also considering this one.

[lukelockie]

Can confirm that this event is incredible!

The logistics of the event behind the scenes are absolutely nuts as you have to travel between islands before you actually do some of the stages.

I was in the hotel when I did it and have had some mates who were on the boats. Will try detail my experience versus their feedback:

 

Hotel:

Rooms were decent, food was great, vibe was excellent. It felt more inclusive because we got to mingle with everyone and not just the peeps on the boat. There is some stress on moving mornings as you need to check out of the hotels, catch busses to the ferry ports, board the ferries and then sail to next islands before racing, then jumping onto a bus, heading to the next hotel for the night and then repeating. What was epic was the chance to meet people from all over the world and share race stories over a cold beer.

 

Boats:

Once in a lifetime type of experience (the more you spend, the better the boat and the greater the experience). Far less hassle as you essentially wake up at the next island, jump off the boat, head to the startline, race, then return to the boat after. Rinse and repeat. Mates' feedback was it was definitely worth spending the bucks on being on a boat if you are going with a group as the people on the boat are who you will spend your evenings and mornings with and you tend to miss out on the vibe of the race village and the hotel lobbies. 

 

The riding:

The riding is unreal! Climbs are steep, you'll experience more rocks than you've ever seen in your life, and the views will take your breath away. If you're going to do this event once and only once, forget about doing it as a race. Rather embrace the magnificence of the experience, meet some new people, soak in the beauty, and enjoy it

 

Tips:

Make sure your transfers from airport to the first island are sorted as well as the transfer back.

Pack some warm gear as it can get VERY cold in the mornings and evenings (as well as on the bike)

If you can, pack a spare chainring as you may want to drop a size for one or two of the days.

Enjoy the free beer and coffee at the end of each stage.

Be fitter than I was.

[BMCfan]

 

4 minutes ago, lukelockie said:

Can confirm that this event is incredible!

The logistics of the event behind the scenes are absolutely nuts as you have to travel between islands before you actually do some of the stages.

I was in the hotel when I did it and have had some mates who were on the boats. Will try detail my experience versus their feedback:

 

Hotel:

Rooms were decent, food was great, vibe was excellent. It felt more inclusive because we got to mingle with everyone and not just the peeps on the boat. There is some stress on moving mornings as you need to check out of the hotels, catch busses to the ferry ports, board the ferries and then sail to next islands before racing, then jumping onto a bus, heading to the next hotel for the night and then repeating. What was epic was the chance to meet people from all over the world and share race stories over a cold beer.

 

Boats:

Once in a lifetime type of experience (the more you spend, the better the boat and the greater the experience). Far less hassle as you essentially wake up at the next island, jump off the boat, head to the startline, race, then return to the boat after. Rinse and repeat. Mates' feedback was it was definitely worth spending the bucks on being on a boat if you are going with a group as the people on the boat are who you will spend your evenings and mornings with and you tend to miss out on the vibe of the race village and the hotel lobbies. 

 

The riding:

The riding is unreal! Climbs are steep, you'll experience more rocks than you've ever seen in your life, and the views will take your breath away. If you're going to do this event once and only once, forget about doing it as a race. Rather embrace the magnificence of the experience, meet some new people, soak in the beauty, and enjoy it

 

Tips:

Make sure your transfers from airport to the first island are sorted as well as the transfer back.

Pack some warm gear as it can get VERY cold in the mornings and evenings (as well as on the bike)

If you can, pack a spare chainring as you may want to drop a size for one or two of the days.

Enjoy the free beer and coffee at the end of each stage.

Be fitter than I was.

Thanks for the info !!!!

 

Exactly what i'm looking for!

[Kylie]

1 hour ago, BMCfan said:

Reviving babse old thread

 

I wanna enter the race and would like some input from peeps that done it before. I am torn between hotel and boat accomodation. the boat experience sounds cool, but is it worthwhile?

 

I recollect that @Kylie done a write up, but cant find it. I might be mistaken

I did it this year, it but I didn't get around to a story for it! We did the budget version (hotel package) and logistically that is a little more challenging than the boats. There is a fair bit of packing up and bussing and ferries, whereas the boats you unpack once and your 'hotel' takes you from Island to island.

 

If I were to try and klap another international Epic, personally I'd go for Swiss Epic over 4Islands, but it is still an absolutely incredible experience, and you won't regret it!

[BMCfan]

Thanks @lukelockie and @Kylie!

I did it, i entered!

Now to get all the logistics in order. Like a kid with a new toy excited!! 😎

 

Hopefully there are a few more hubbers going to get the the discussion and motivation going ...

[Kylie]

1 hour ago, BMCfan said:

Thanks @lukelockie and @Kylie!

I did it, i entered!

Now to get all the logistics in order. Like a kid with a new toy excited!! 😎

 

Hopefully there are a few more hubbers going to get the the discussion and motivation going ...

Congratulations! I'm sure there will be a crew of saffas, we had a great contingent this year. Enjoy every minute of it