Written about BIKE ADVENTURE...

Podebradka BIKE ADVENTURE 2004

What Podebradka Bike Adventure would by without competitors?

You watch them on photos, meet them before the start or in the terrain at check-points. But I was talking to them and making interviews with ladies and men, with orienteers, ski-orienteers, skiers, climbers, members of Olympic teams both non-Olympic athletes. And I got a very nice mixture of opinions and ideas. Even though the hot summer weather during the weekend and tiredness after tough race, there were very nice interviews.
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Podebradka BIKE ADVENTURE 2001

Martin Jiriste (competitor in tandem)

It is already a couple of months after Podebradka Bike Adventure 2001, but I still remember it well. It was one of the best events of this summer. Perfectly organized, wonderful terrains, and race possibilities also for us cyclo-tourists. What we find very convenient is that, we are not running out of time, because of the orientation necessity according to the map and a choice of our own way the race happens to be very interesting and dramatic until the last moment.

Falk Schultze Motel (Germany) - propagator of similar acts in Germany

We spoke to some of our friends - they all enjoyed the event. From an organizer`s point of view you have done a brilliant job. The entertainment was excellent at the overnight and not too loud for those who wanted to have their rest. We were quite lucky with the weather, nice area!

In short: we really enjoyed your event and will come back be it in Erzgebirge or where ever.

Svata Antos (Representative of Warmpeace - sponsor of the race)

As owner of Warmpeace I must evaluate that the whole event was just perfect. Back to the old times, when I use to run orienteering where something would get f... but here everything went smoothly. They probably even paid the weatherman.

Honza Hasman (our ex-elite competitor)

The most amazing things about Bike Adventure are the other competitors, while the race you meet on checkpoints, and the competitors cheer for each other: "slow down, your college is running out of breath and you are as well!" And than while you try to catch on your breath, you wonder where are all those short cuts, they are using are hidden. This is what is on Bike Adventure extremely motivating and I enjoyed it very much.

Mira Seidl (elite competitor in a pair with Jarda Rygl, the main stars of the race)

I was pretty excited about the Bike Adventure, because I already knew, what is going on. I didn't pay too much of an attention to the preparation, actually none at all and I was not even looking for a partner, but when I found out that Jarda was a lonely mohycan, without hesitating, we created a team, because you don't refuse such a request. Maybe somebody considered us the main stars - maybe because of the physical factors, but we were not handling the tactics - we didn't consider our powers and we didn't count the points of the main variables, in which I see our biggest weakens. We have just decided, and went on the road without any particular direction, relaying on the time, how fast we can go. But it was not working out particularly the way, we expected. Some hills appeared and kept on going up and down. Just by the end, we started thinking about it a little bit, and considered the points, which are worth or which to leave out.

On Sunday it was quite good, but in deed it wasn't the best time to check out the checkpoints. Even though the ride was smooth and my muscles kept warm. Well, in case of other event, I will definitely participate.

Experiences from this trip around little border's hills
(Iva and Martin)

Saturday on the start: nervous, concentrate, don't do much mistakes! chill out!
Saturday after first hour of an event: it is nicely fast. The checkpoints are easy to find. So everything is suuuuupeeeeer.
Saturday after two hours of event: Super competition, nice cycling, and nice nature.
Saturday after three hours of event: Hills should be a bit smaller, good weather, nice nature.
Saturday after four hours of event: I would go around some of the hills, if it would be possible. Though, there is a lot to look at.
Saturday five hours of event: fucking hills, fucking nature. All the time we are going up. Will we ever go down?
Saturday after six hours of an event (finish): Relief. I don't have to pedal. Why did we exactly go on this sadomasochistic action?
Sunday one hour before start: Almost all my muscles hurt me. Go or not to go? Be or not to be?
Sunday on the start: Wish we would back. Where to go, on the right or on the left? Haggle with my partner. (Later I found, what I enforced, it was bad choose)
Sunday after one hour of race: That's surprising, not too much of an effort being done, wheels are moving by them selves. Will I ever get out of the Saturday's crisis?
Sunday after two hours of an event: No, I never did. It was only momentary euphoria. It starts to rain, we are hitting the clouds, I'm madly suffering plus my partner is far ahead of me. Depression.
Sunday after three hours of event: Why have I every bought a mountain bike? I will sell it and star to play chess. I don't want to do something like this ever again in my life. Only if I could to lie down in the grass here.
Sunday after four hours of event (finish): I'm not going to do anything. I don't want to see a bike for one week at least!!!. Finally my body can have a rest.

My opinion after the pain from cricks, depressions, and fatigue went away:
Wonderful race, just perfect. And what comes next? We will go again. I am already looking forward to it again. Why exactly are we doing these sadomasochists acts?

Podebradka BIKE ADVENTURE 2002

Czech It Out

(English magazine MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDER 10/2002)
It's not a big biking destination yet, but with endless trails and cheap flights to Prague, the Czech Republic is one to watch. MBR went on a recce and even managed to take part int the country's biggest mtb event.
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