BICYCLE ROUTES IN BULGARIA

INTRODUCTION

The worst day biking is still better than the best day of work!

      The Guide is meant to help cyclists who have decided to explore or cross Bulgaria by bike. Routes and maps are shown, a lot of photos of my bicycle tours are posted as well. The page will be helpful to touring bicyclists in their first steps of designing a bicycle tour in Bulgaria. The guide book does not claim to be complete, it is based ONLY on my own many years of experience.

      My name is Borislav Borisov, or simply Bob, let me first  introduce myself and write several nice words about me.

      I was born at September, 26, 1956 in Pernik – 20 miles southwest of Sofia.  After completing secondary school in my native town, I was 2 years in the Bulgarian Army, where I learned survival skills. I returned to school to study engineering, and ultimately received a doctorate degree in engineering in the field of machine dynamics from the University of Sofia.

       And I am truly a bike maniac.  I ride my bike whenever I have an opportunity, and have done so for more than 40 years.  Each year I do more than 3,000 miles, but I am really not a “mile killer” or a racer.  I usually average 7 - 9 miles/hour, pedaling no more than 50 - 55 miles a day. I love to bicycle slowly enjoying of the scenery, coffee places, and often spend time near swimming pools of thermal mineral water - we do have here a lot of them. Bicycling keeps me in very good shape.  I always feel my best after riding.

     During all these years I have gained a significant experience exploring Bulgaria by bicycle, and I want to share this knowledge with you. Many times I have consulted cyclists from different countries, some who have decided to spend their holiday in Bulgaria, some simply to cross through our country; all that suggests to  me, that if I do a guide book for bicyclists, maybe it would be helpful for them.

      In the guide book I have posted information concerning the most frequently asked questions about roads, routes, passes in the mountains, sights, and possibilities to use trains while touring in Bulgaria, etc. I hope what I write here will be useful.

I can always be asked additional questions – please do not hesitate to ask me, my available E-mail is:

bgbybike@yahoo.com

Several words about Bulgaria

     - Bulgaria is a peaceful country – for over  45 years I traveled different types of journeys - in mountains, along the seaside, bike tours, all without any troubles or accidents.

      - Bulgarians enjoy visitors from other countries and welcome them; I have many visitors from Western Europe and  the Americas;  from Asia and South Africa.

      - The country is 97% Bulgarian Orthodox Christian and  we have no religious discord.

      - We have sunny summers – with very little rain.

      - Our country has different kinds of terrain – mountains, fields, forests,  gorges, and valleys.

       - The Black Sea is a wonderful seaside.

      - There is very little traffic on the roads. But over the last couple of years, some roads are seeing more and more traffic.

      - There is great food, perfect red & white wines and many types beer all at relatively reasonable prices.

      - Something to really remember, Bulgarians turn their head from side to side when they say "Yes" and make their head go up and down when they say "No"!

      Please know the information I provide is based ONLY on my own experience.

      My long-term experience has shown that bicyclists seem to travel from the north northwest and west directions south and southeast. So, the description

of bicycle routes in my Home Page will also be consistent with this cycling travel pattern. Cycling routes are described in the direction north to south and west to east.

 I.  Passes in Balkan Mountains

       A. From Sofia to Burgas       

       B. From Sofia to Varna      

       C. From Plovdiv to Burgas       

       D. From Sofia to Plovdiv and Edirne (in Turkey) 

VII. Nice roads in mountains

        RODOPE Mountains

        RILA Mountains

        PIRIN Mountains