HERO DIRT
Spring or Autumn Enduro Uplift
A point to point tour of the finest riding spots
Overview
5 Unique days riding
Free time activities including hot springs down time
90% uplift
3000-4000m descend daily.
Ideal for trail/enduro riders or for Off Season training
Tailored to fit wide range of abilities and fitness
Adventure day across the Pirin Mountains
Two of the best times of year to ride, complete with fresh and grippy dirt. This gravity focused tour targets massive descents for those seeking adventure outside the Bike parks.
Unable to venture all the way into the alpine, we stay just below the late spring snowline. In Autumn the colours are perfect, as is the grip. We still enjoy 1000m+ long descents over multiple kms, and often don't see another group of bikers for the whole week.
We have picked our favorite destinations across the Rila, Rhodope and Pirin mountain ranges, allowing for amazing access to some of the longest, quietest and most varied trails around. Running this as a point to point rather than a single center, makes the van time effective, allowing us to hit 5 unique zones in 3 different mountain ranges.
Hero Dirt
7 Nights
May and October
5 days guiding
15000m descending, 2000m climbing
Airport Transfers
Breakfasts
2 Dinners (first night and last night)
Mid Week BBQ/Lunch
Unlimited house beers, wines and soft drinks
£495 Per Person
Trails
This week includes a mixture of natural and purpose built trails. Be prepared for a wide variety of terrain and very long descents. Expect all conditions: rocks, roots, loam, jumps, berms, drops, speed and tech. There will be occasions where exposure will be evident and caution required. Some trails are very much off-piste and anticipation of hidden bumps, branches and boulders will be beneficial.
Skill level: Average and above. Although we have a number of difficult trails, all committed features are avoidable and easy options are available. The characteristics of these trails change drastically with speed, allowing confident riders of varying abilities to enjoy them. We would recommend being comfortable riding minimum UK red trails and above.
Fitness level: Moderate level of bike fitness. Some trails require a short pedal at altitude to access them. Most trails are considerably longer than UK trail centres, so some strength and endurance is required. This package does not require long days in the saddle, hike-a-bike or any crazy fitness events. Coffee stops can be frequent and lunch breaks can always be extended for those wishing to take a chill.
We will happily welcome riders of all speeds, catering the week for your enjoyment. A base level of skill is required to keep you safe in a dangerous mountain environment
This trip runs Saturday to Saturday. Included in the price is Sofia airport, arrival any time. Transfer from Thessaloniki, Skopje and Plovdiv also possible, may incur an extra charge.
After a 1 hour transfer we spend the first two days in the Rhodope mountains, enjoying an amazing network of trails that are long, fast and every enduro rider's dream. Sometimes we only ride 3 trails a day, but descend close to 3000m. The towns and villages here have a distinct feel, with steep green hills and a crossroads of European and Ottoman influence.
Just over an hour in the van takes us to Bansko in the Pirin Mountains, our mountain base and in our opinion, the best valley and mountains in the country! A mixture of modern ski resort and traditional Bulgarian way of life gives us 3 days of fun. Not only do we enjoy the best trails, but the best restaurants, , hot springs and history.
Another 45 minutes and we stop at our final destination to break up the airport transfer, Blageovgrad. Blageovgrad is a small city located in the foothills of the Rila mountains. The local trail crew have spent years perfecting some trail gems. Like an Eastern European Finale Liguara, without the beach, this is a legit enduro destination. Flowy berms, wooden features and perfectly sculpted jumps await.
Two nights in log house with mineral pool
4 nights in our Mountain Base
1 Night in local Guesthouse
Price based on sharing a room. Single supplement possible, please contact to discuss.
All the accommodation has secure bike storage, Wifi and a small kitchen available. We also keep on hand bike tools and proper cleaning kit so we can keep everything rolling smoothly.
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Sure, there is plenty here to keep any non-riders entertained. Drop us a message for more details and prices.
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All major airlines include a bike bag/box for an additional fee of around £60 (Ryanair)
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Yes. Due to the nature of modern bikes, most components are not interchangeable. We try to keep in as much kit as possible to keep you moving one way or another but personal kit is highly recommended. Think: pads, derailleurs, mech hangers, spokes etc..
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Yes please!
We can also organise fantastic vegan/vegetarian food.
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There is a huge amount to do here, attracting tourists all year round. Traditional restaurants and bars are a must. We also have natural hot springs, luxurious spas, outdoor pools and museums.
Need a day away from the bike? Book yourself onto an ATV tour or an all day session at a winery. There is plenty of relaxation and mischief to be had.
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Bulgarian Leva. Its pegged to the euro so you wont get ripped off getting some cash before you leave. We reccomend a travel card (Revolut, Monzo, etc) and just grabbing some carh here (We will tell you where).
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We think Spring and Autumn are some of the best times to ride in Bulgaria. In May and October temperatures normally run between 14- 23 degrees in the locations for this tour. Nights can be cooler, but often by 10am were riding in sunshine and short sleeves. That being said, in the mountains expect some showers, the grippy soil has to get wet somehow!
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Yes!
On top of normal travel insurance we recommend additional mountain sports insurance. This is one of the ones we use:
https://www.alpenverein.at/britannia/membership/Membership.php
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Not at all. Traditional food is full of familiar veggies, meats and fish. There are some more out there dishes too for the adventurous types. Bansko has plenty of westernised restaurants providing a proper global spread. We are also super close to Turkey and Greece so kebabs and Gyros are top notch.
Mountain huts have limited variety but will always have soups, salads, omelets, cheeses and meats.
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A number of reasons:
1) Not many people come here yet. This is the up and coming destination. Get in while its cheap and the dirt is fresh.
2) Bulgaria use the Cyrillic alphabet so you probably wont find much local content.
3) Nobody wants to give away the really good locations..
