PGR2021 – Route checking

PGR2021 Route checking

The long weekend in June we decided to spend checking the Poland Gravel Race route. The plan was for four days’ ride, three overnights, to finish within the 80h race limit and check the route. The plan was successful. We proved that one can reach the finish line within the time limit, riding daytime only and having rest at night. It’s not a piece of cake however, but it’s doable. There will be few minor changes to the route due to the road works.

Thursday

We started from Niepodleglosci Square in Przemysl on Thursday 8:20 and planned to be “somewhere in Bieszczady” by the sunset. This part of the route gives you a lot of heat – many not too long but tiring climbs contribute to high elevation.

Without pushing the pace too much and without unnecessary stops, before dusk we land in Smerek. There was no free rooms, but they did have a piece of lawn. Just for a tent and 3 bivi-bags.

It was probably cold at night, because we are shaking off the frost from our eyebrows and around 6 am we are already on the bikes. At the beginning, we have a light climb that allows us to regain thermal comfort, and when we start the descent to Maidan, the sun warms up.

SS Balnica that is a special section. We the ride along the narrow-gauge tracks. It’s a bit disappointing this year, because the track covered with new stones took the flow of the ride. And there was the flow for sure last year 😉 Never mind, there is no other way 😉

At the end of the Bieszczady section, we have a climb to the Żebrak Pass and then four fords on the Osława River between Mików and Duszatyn. Further on, the border between the Eastern and Western Carpathians and we begin our journey through the Bukowskie Foothills.

We pass the Low Beskid exactly the same way as during last year’s PGR edition. The gravel road from Wyszowatka to Banica is still full of charm and atmosphere. From Góra Banicka to Małastowska Pass SS Hawran – an off-road fragment along the blue trail, rewarding those of you who choose wider tires (you may say ‘thank you’ for this section to Hawran bike orienteering race).

For this night we find accommodation in an charming agroturism in Nowica

It was supposed to rain on Saturday and as soon as we set off, the forecasts came true. There were only 43 kilometers to Krynica, seven climbs and about 1000 meters vertically. These are typical parameters for a PGR route.

We drive into Krynica wet and a pizza was the only option for the time being. When it stops raining, we carry out the next points of this trip – Wierchomla and Żłobki Pass. This second climb is terribly dragging. People say it is the most difficult on the whole PGR route. They are probably right.

If you feel lonely on the route, you will surely appreciate the diversity of the company on the bicycle path leading through Szczawnica. Understanding for other users of this place is recommended. Caution too.

We finish the day in agrotourism in Grywałd, at the foot of Lubań, where Harnaś , the doggie, keeps an eye on our bikes.

Sunday

Sunday starts on the shores of Lake Czorsztyn. Next we keep TatraVelo trail on our route towards Spisz.

Grandeus is a viewpoint with a panorama of the Tatra Mountains. This is the last special section on the route: SS Grandeus – uphill and downhill road may become muddy when it’s raining.

There are two climbs at the end, Łapszanka and Brzegi Górne. Nothing scary. The first one, compared to Żłobki Pass, seems really gentle. The second one is close enough to the finish line that there is nothing to mention. However, if anyone would like to complain that Brzegi climb is boring or so, we would like to inform you that we planned a more attractive and difficult variant. Fortunately our route director, at the urging of his colleagues, gave up the idea 😉

We reach finish point at Głodówka Chalet about noon.

Summary

• The aim of the exercise was to prove that the PGR route can be completed in “ride at day, sleep at night” mode within the time limit. It has been proven.
• With a little more discipline or a faster pace, you can be at the finish line on Saturday and make it to the bonfire.
• The recon of the route results in minor changes in its course. One is already applied to the map, the other will be applied in July. So don’t upload gpx to your navigation yet…
• The route is challenging. And it runs through the most picturesque places. And it is suitable for gravel, trekking, cross or mountain bikes.
• Take enough water and food with you. Resupply options en route are limited. Sections of several dozen kilometers without shops are quite common.
• Watch out for the barriers at the entrances and exits of forest roads and forest work in progress. Expect some traffic on forest roads.

People and gear

There were four of us – two younger (faster) men, two older (slower) men. Maciek, Michał, Krzysiek and Tomek.

And there were four bicycles. MTB on a rigid fork with a 2 inch tire, carbon gravel with a 35 mm tire, aluminium gravel with a 42 mm tire and steel gravel with a 40 mm tire. We don’t know if this gear list is of any importance, but maybe someone finds it useful in a way 😉

Photos:

Maciek Hop hopcycling.pl

Link to the PGR route: pgr.kolo-ultra.pl/trasa