Mountains, Coasts, Legends: The Sar Riders Balkans Ride

Sloveniaย ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ | Croatia ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท | Bosnia & Herzegovina ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฆ | Montenegro ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ช
Dates: 3rd May โ€“ 11th May 2024
Distance covered: ~1,800 km
Duration:ย 9 Days
Riders: 15
Bikes: BMW GS 1250s, mostly!

From the Emerald Lakes of Slovenia to the Stone Bridges of Bosnia โ€” A Journey Carved in Asphalt and Brotherhood

What began as a route on a map turned into an unforgettable journey across four countries โ€” one throttle twist at a time. From 3rd to 11th May 2024, the Sar Riders carved their legacy into the winding roads of the Balkans, tracing stories of history, culture, and camaraderie across Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

We launched our adventure in the peaceful countryside of Ljubljana, Slovenia, where the serenity of the landscape gave no clue to the adrenaline that awaited us. With bikes in pristine condition and spirits high, we throttled into Croatia โ€” bound for the surreal beauty of Plitvice Lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where water flows like poetry and nature shows off unapologetically.

From waterfalls to war stories, our journey took a powerful turn as we crossed into Bosnia & Herzegovina. Riding into Sarajevo, we found ourselves in a city with a soul โ€” one that had seen sieges, survived heartbreak, and still danced with life. The call to prayer echoed between the minarets, mingling with the rumble of our engines. Mostar followed โ€” a postcard-perfect town with its iconic Ottoman bridge arching over the turquoise river, connecting not just land but hearts.

But the road was far from over. Montenegro welcomed us with its rugged mountains and dramatic coastlines. We swept through its bends like synchronized poetry in motion, before embracing the cinematic charm of Dubrovnik, the โ€œPearl of the Adriatic.โ€ Riding into the old walled city felt like entering a fantasy โ€” where history brushed shoulders with pop culture and our boots clicked on stone streets once walked by emperors and actors alike.

Some chose to ferry over to Hvar Island, soaking in the island charm, while others stayed back to explore the finer sights of Dubrovnik. Each choice led to more stories, more laughs, and deeper bonds.

But nothing topped the full-throttle charge along the legendary Magistrala coastal road โ€” a serpentine marvel hugging cliffs above sapphire seas. Every kilometer was a masterpiece. Zadar gave us sunsets and seafood, while our return to Ljubljana brought the satisfying click of closure โ€” a loop completed, not just on the road but within.

Along the way, we crossed borders โ€” not just on paper, but of comfort zones, riding skills, cultural understanding, and human connection. From high-speed runs to quiet mountaintop moments, from missed exits to perfect switchbacks, from halting for fuel to stopping just to take it all in โ€” every mile told a story.

And as always, when we werenโ€™t riding, we were laughing โ€” over late-night pizzas, searching for halal food like it was treasure, debating history, sipping Bosnian coffee, or syncing our Cardos with the patience of monks and the curiosity of children.

We returned to Slovenia on 11th May 2024 โ€” not just as riders, but as brothers. With sunburns, GoPro footage, countless photos, and unforgettable memories stitched into our gear.
The road may have ended, but the ride? Itโ€™s still echoing in our hearts.

Highlights:

  • Riding through the heart of Slovenia ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ, with smooth takeovers and picture-perfect countryside launches

  • Exploring the UNESCO wonder of Plitvice Lakes ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท, with its turquoise waterfalls and lush landscapes

  • Diving into the vibrant chaos of Sarajevo ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฆ, a melting pot of cultures, histories, and amazing coffee

  • Crossing into majestic Montenegro ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ช, with mind-blowing coastal cliffs and serpentine mountain roads

  • Cruising the legendary Magistrala Coastal Road ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท, where sea, cliffs, and sky danced alongside us

  • Soaking in medieval magic at Dubrovnikโ€™s old town ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท, the iconic Game of Thrones city

  • Optional island-hopping to the beautiful Hvar Island ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท, with ferry rides and sun-drenched roads

  • Pushing limits with long 300+ km riding days, mastering border crossings, switchbacks, and synchrony

  • Savoring the brotherhood spirit โ€” synchronized formations, seamless corner marking, roadside jokes, and unmatched camaraderie

  • Riding through living history, from Ottoman arches to post-Yugoslav mosaics, while clocking over 1,800 km of pure adventure

The Balkans Trip 2024 wasnโ€™t just a ride across borders โ€” it was a journey through history, brotherhood, and breathtaking beauty. From ancient towns to adrenaline-packed turns, this tour reminded us that the real road lies between our shared stories, our laughs, and the roads less ridden.

Peaks, Passes & Brotherhood โ€“ Euro Ride 2023

Germany ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช | Austria ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡น | Italy ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น
Dates: 26th May โ€“ 2nd June 2023
Distance covered: ~1,400 km
Duration: 7 Days
Riders: 18
Bikes: BMW GS 1250s & a few brave souls on Harley Davidsons

From Bavarian lakes to Italian peaks โ€” a brotherhood forged by the road.

What started with a spark of excitement turned into a journey that will live forever in the heart of every Sar Rider who hit the ignition in Germany that day. From 26th May to 2nd June 2023, our Euro Trip carved its way through stunning landscapes, cultural landmarks, and an ever-growing brotherhood that defied borders.

We began our journey in Munich, collecting our machines and warming up on the smooth Bavarian roads. The group settled into formation quickly โ€” a rolling thunder of disciplined riding and banter through the intercoms. As we crossed into Austria, we found ourselves enveloped by the majestic Alps. The Plansee Lake ride and the dreamy stretch toward Imst gave us a taste of what real mountain motorcycling feels like.

The thrill reached its peak as we tackled the legendary Stelvio Pass in Italy โ€” a serpentine challenge that tested every riderโ€™s skill and rewarded us with panoramic views and chest-thumping satisfaction. Every turn, every ascent, and every pause for breath brought a deeper appreciation for both the landscapes and the men riding beside us.

From charming towns like Ponte di Legno and Badia to heart-racing rides through Sella Pass and the snow-kissed heights of Grossglockner, every day was a new chapter in our collective story. And when we werenโ€™t riding, we were sharing laughs over pizzas, hunting for halal options (with varying levels of success), and reflecting on the road behind us.

ย 

The trip ended where it began โ€” in Munich, but we returned not as individual riders, but as a tighter unit of brothers with stories, scars, and scenic memories to last a lifetime.

Highlights:

  • Conquering the legendary Stelvio Pass ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น with 48 hairpin turns of pure adrenaline

  • Cruising through the crystal-clear serenity of Plansee Lake ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡น

  • Spectacular high-altitude ride on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡น

  • Strolling through the charming towns of Ponte di Legno, Badia, and Kaprun

  • Immersing in Alpine culture and stunning vistas in Sella Pass

  • Post-ride bonding over hot pizzas, chilly evenings, and plenty of laughs

  • Riding camaraderie at its finest โ€” synchronized formations, corner marking, and lookouts

  • A flawless blend of riding, brotherhood, and breathtaking European landscapes

The Euro Trip 2023 wasnโ€™t just about the kilometers โ€” it was about connection, challenge, and character. This ride brought out the best in all of us and reminded us why we ride: not just for the destination, but for the stories we create along the way.

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