4 Similar Rides South Along the Coast

Spring really started to show itself about two weeks ago, and last week was nothing short of fantastic — 18–20°C in the sun, with no wind. Ideal conditions for long, steady rides.

I decided to do more or less the same ride for each of my long rides, riding south along the coast and back, with just a few small tweaks to each ride. It’s one of my favorite routes for a reason. And the further south you go, the more dramatic the landscape becomes, with the Velebit mountains (still dusted with snow) towering on one side and the Adriatic, dotted with islands on the other.

The weather also brought out the motorcycles, both domestic and tourists. It felt like there were more motorcycles on the roads than cars. Not many cyclists on the other hand. Maybe 2-3 throughout the week.

Ride 1: Dolphins Playing Close to Shore

Garmin cycling route map of a long coastal ride in Croatia, with views of the Velebit mountains and Adriatic Sea.

What I first thought was a diver close to shore turned out to be a pod of dolphins playing and hunting for fish just 20–30 meters from the coast. I’ve never seen so many at once and this close here — usually, it’s just one or two cruising along the shoreline.

Perfect start to the week.

Ride 2: Broken Spoke and the Reserve Bike Making an Appearance

Another perfect weather day — I planned a 5-hour ride, but 15 minutes in, a loud bang and a broken spoke. I got picked up, swapped to my reserve bike quickly, and went straight back out. Weather to good to let a broken spoke ruin the day.

I messaged my service guy in Rijeka, and despite being swamped, he promised to sort it out asap. Next day I drove to Rijeka and he fixed it as soon as he was done with the bike he was working on.

It was my first time visiting his new bigger space, and it looks pretty damn good. When I first started leaving my bikes with him he had just opened up shop, working out of a small garage next to his apartment.
Couldn’t be happier for him.

Road bike overlooking Kvarner Bay with the sun setting over Krk Island. Captured from Klenovica, offering a stunning view of the Adriatic, perfect for cycling enthusiasts exploring the Kvarner region.

Scenic view from a cycling ride looking down on a winding road towards Lukovo, with clear skies and the islands of Kvarner Bay visible along the coast. Ideal for cyclists seeking picturesque routes in the Kvarner region.

Descent towards Sveta Juraj with clear skies and an empty road. Majestic mountains on one side and the Adriatic Sea on the other, showcasing the beauty of cycling through the Kvarner Bay coastline.

Ride 3: New Climb!

There’s a road that winds up along the Velebit mountains that I’ve been wanting to try for years but, for whatever reason, never got around to riding. Today, I finally gave it a go — and I can’t believe I waited this long.

The section I rode was absolutely breathtaking, with stunning views of the coastline and islands below. I climbed to around 600 meters above sea level before deciding to turn back. The temperature was dropping the further up I got, and descending from that height already felt a bit chilly.

As far as I remember, the climb continues past 1000 meters, starting from sea level. There’s still some snow at those higher elevations, so going further would’ve been a ticket to catching a cold.

I’m saving this climb for early and late summer. During peak heat months, I’d probably struggle to make it back home from this far out before the day gets too hot.

Cycling shot from the middle of a climb up Velebit Mountain, showing the handlebar and winding coastal roads beneath. The Adriatic Sea and surrounding islands stretch out in the distance, offering breathtaking views of the Kvarner Bay region, perfect for those seeking a challenging and scenic ride.

Wider shot from the middle of the Velebit Mountain climb, showing the handlebar and a panoramic view of the mountain, coastal roads, and the Adriatic Sea with its islands. A stunning cycling route for those looking to explore the rugged beauty of the Kvarner Bay coastline.

Half-circle shot of the winding road circling around a cliff during the Velebit Mountain climb, with clear skies and expansive views over the Adriatic Sea. A scenic route for cyclists enjoying the dramatic terrain of the Kvarner Bay region.

Ride 4: Some Threshold Work

Decided to sprinkle in two 20-minute threshold efforts during this ride. The first came about an hour in, and the second towards the end on tired legs.

I veered off the main road towards a coastal village, and the long descent had some fresh asphalt — which is always nice. You could still smell the fresh tarmac. The climb back up is pretty brutal, though, with 13-15% gradients for almost the entire ascent. But it’s an absolutely stunning 30-minute detour from the main coastal road, both going down and climbing back up.

Aerial shot of Jablanac, with the bay filled with small boats and the Velebit Mountains in the background. A picturesque view of the Kvarner Bay region, perfect for cyclists who enjoy scenic coastal rides.

Similar view of Jablanac from above, captured from a slightly different angle. The bay is dotted with boats, and the majestic Velebit Mountains serve as a stunning backdrop, offering cyclists a glimpse of the rugged landscape.

Wide shot of my bike during a steep descent towards Jablanac. The road forms a beautiful loop as it winds down the mountain towards the coastline, showcasing the dramatic terrain cyclists can experience in the Kvarner Bay area.

Closer shot of my bike during the descent towards Jablanac, with the winding road looping around the valley. The image captures the stunning landscape of the Kvarner Bay region, offering cyclists a thrilling route with expansive views.

Summary of Previous 4 Weeks in Croatia

Mixed bag weather wise. But not to bad.

Week 4: 8 Hours (10–16 Feb)

Proper winter weather this week — very strong winds and plenty of snow in the mountains (though none by the coast). Daytime temps hovered around 5–7°C. After three solid weeks of riding, I didn’t mind a lighter week.
I think I even got a ride in in shorts this week. Which made passing the snow plows heading up towards the mountains a bit funny.

View of snow-covered mountains in the distance, taken from our house by the coast. The sun is shining, highlighting the contrast between the pristine snow and the clear sky, a beautiful sight from this coastal vantage point.

Week 5: 15 Hours (17–23 Feb)

The weather stabilized with daytime temps around 10°C, but the snow-covered mountains made the coastal air feel colder. I fit in rides between windy days, and this week, it was the weather — not my conditioning — that limited riding time, unlike the first three weeks.

Week 6: 15 Hours (24 Feb – 2 Mar)

More rain than wind this week, which brought slightly higher temps. Toward the end of the week, there was a noticeable change in the air — spring was creeping in.

Week 7: 20 Hours (3–9 Mar)

Almost summer-like temps all week (Swedish summer, that is). With barely any wind and perfect riding conditions, I loved every kilometer.

After yesterdays ride, I picked some asparagus around the house and fried them up for dinner. It was my first time picking so I’m still learning how to spot them, as you can see from my impressive haul 😁
I’ve been promised some tutoring on how to better spot them during the week.

Freshly picked asparagus growing around the house in spring, showcasing the local produce found in the area.

Update:

This shit sells for 70€/kg.

The weather for my final week in Croatia before heading back home to Sweden doesn’t look promising, but I’ll make it work — I can see some bright spots in there.

Dolphin Pod and Summer-Like Temps