From 13 to 15 May 2022, the first edition of the Human Fish Gravel Stage Race took place at River Camping Bled in Slovenia. After the great atmosphere of the first HFG event in 2021, this new stage race immediately caught my attention. A three-day gravel event on home roads sounded like the right mix of adventure, riding, friendship and discovery.
The experience started even before the official start. The day before the race, I packed all my gear and rode from home directly to work. After work, I took the train from Novo mesto to Ljubljana, then continued by bike to Kranj, where I spent the night at Žan’s place. The next morning, we already had a short warm-up ride together to the start of the event.
STAGE 1
Ride overview:
// Distance
80 km
80 km
// Elevation gain
1,860 m
1,860 m
// Total time
4 h 37 min
4 h 37 min
The first stage had a very human rhythm. The weather was good, the mood was relaxed and Anže and I rode together for the whole day. It was not only about speed or racing. At times, it felt almost touristy, in the best possible way.
Photo Human Fish Gravel
We stopped when it felt right, looked around, talked and enjoyed the roads. It was one of those days where the event gives you a reason to move through the landscape, but the real value comes from everything happening along the way.
The only part that really changed the tempo was the climb to Bičkova skala. It was steep, exposed and hot. For a short moment, the day became much more active and serious. But after that, the stage returned to its relaxed flow.
Photo Tit Košir
STAGE 2
Ride overview:
// Distance
123 km
123 km
// Elevation gain
2,520 m
2,520 m
// Total time
5 h 53 min
5 h 53 min
The second stage was completely different. The weather already suggested that the day would be less predictable. It was cloudy, sometimes wet, and the route was known as the queen stage of the event. Because of that, I decided to ride a bit harder and see what I could do.
We started well in the first group, but already on the first climb, the fastest riders moved ahead. I stayed in a good rhythm with Davor, Žan and a few others. The pace was solid, but still controlled.
After the descent towards Lake Bohinj, I could already feel the legs a little. And the main climb to Uskovnica was still ahead. For a while I managed to stay with the group, but eventually I had to let the pace go.
I reached the top, but then the rain became much stronger. I was alone, the weather was rough and cramps started to hit. It was not a pleasant moment. I even had to get off the bike and spend some time trying to relax my leg enough to continue.
Eventually the cramp calmed down and I got moving again. As the weather slowly stabilized, my body and mind did the same. The final part of the stage went much better and I managed to finish in a solid rhythm again.
STAGE 3
Ride overview:
// Distance
102 km
102 km
// Elevation gain
2,300 m
2,300 m
// Total time
6 h 28 min
6 h 28 min
The last stage returned to a much more relaxed feeling. The weather was beautiful and the whole day felt more enjoyable again. There were still two quite serious climbs on the route, but Anže and I rode them as slowly and calmly as possible.
It became a proper Sunday ride. Not easy, but easy-going. After the harder second stage, that felt just right.
At the finish, my family was waiting for me, which made the ending even better. We stayed in the area for a few more days and turned the event into a short family break around Bled, Radovljica and the beautiful Gorenjska region.
Looking back, the whole experience was really special. Three days can hold a lot: travel, riding, weather changes, good company, strong moments, bad moments and quiet roads that stay in memory.
Even though the event carried the word “race”, this one reminded me that not every race has to be only about chasing a result. Sometimes it is enough to ride through beautiful places, share the road with good people and enjoy the simple feeling of moving across Slovenia on gravel roads.