LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Distance: !" miles/#$km Grade: Difficult. What it lacks in distance it makes up for in altitude gain Download: www.mapmyride.com/routes/ view/2093806615

GETTING THERE

We flew to Venice Marco Polo airport and from there it’s a two-and-a-half hour drive to Bovec. Alternatively you could fly into Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana, though you’d be faced with a similar car transfer to Bovec.

WHERE TO STAY

We stayed at the Hotel Sanje OB Soci ( sanjeobsoci.com), on the outskirts of Bovec. Facilities include a spa and breakfast, but it doesn’t offer lunch or dinner.

FOOD AND DRINK

Bovec has many options for food and drink, though the best place we ate was just up the road in the village of Log pod Mangartom, at the Mangrt restaurant, on the right-hand side as you head north through it. The burger is highly recommended.

PODIA

This Julian Alps trip costs €1290 for four days riding (303km in total). With just six to eight riders on each trip, your money includes airport transfers, accommodation, breakfast and evening meals, ride guides and full support vehicle, ride photography and nutrition.

Brand new Genesis Volare disc brake bikes are available for hire at an additional cost of €185 per trip. Air travel is also separate to the cost, as is the option to buy Podia kit. The company will be back in Slovenia next summer, but in the meantime you can get in touch at podia.cc to organise a custom trip in central and Eastern Europe.