A story told by Vitor Büchli:
Welcome back to my blog series about bike events in Europe! If you've been following my journey, you'll know that I'm on a mission to explore some of the most exciting bike events this continent has to offer. After an incredible start to the series, my second post takes you to Slovakia where I experienced the wild Bikefest Kálnica.
A muddy adventure in Slovakia
From Thursday, May 30th to Sunday, June 2nd, 2024, the Freeride Bikepark Kálnica hosted an unforgettable four-day event. A happening filled with adrenaline-charged races, exciting competitions and an atmosphere that was nothing short of electrifying and borderline crazy. The event took place in extremely variable weather, which made my adventure even more challenging and exciting. Not only did the campsite turn into a muddy playground, but the riders and visitors sometimes slid around uncontrollably, which added a comedic touch to the whole thing. Despite the mud - or should I say because of it? - the atmosphere was great.
A packed schedule for events
With the five different competitions I had scheduled, my timetable was very tight: dual pump track and spank whip off contest on Friday, then night dual slalom training, qualification and final on Saturday and the downhill race and best trick show on Sunday.
Bringing these events together was no easy task, especially as the Best Trick Contest was squeezed in between the downhill races. It was hectic to say the least, but the thrill of competing in such different and exciting events was just too tempting.
Overcoming language barriers
The biggest challenge I faced during the event was the language barrier. Almost everything at the event was moderated in Slovakian, which led to some interesting situations. Misunderstandings were not uncommon, but they mostly added to the adventure. Once, due to a mix-up, I had to complete two qualifying runs on the same double slalom course immediately after each other. That was very confusing and exhausting, but in hindsight also pretty funny!
Dual pump track and downhill triumphs
The highlight of the event for me was undoubtedly my success in the races. I left Bikefest Kálnica with two medals: first place in the dual pump track and third place in the downhill race. And although I didn't get a medal in the nighttime dual slalom, the race alone was a highlight in itself, because the energy of the spectators was absolutely crazy. People ran onto the track in the middle of the race and cheered each other and the riders on.
More than just races
What makes Bikefest Kálnica so special is not just the races and competitions, but the overall atmosphere and the variety of the offered activities. There is also a lot to do outside the races. Besides all the food and bike stands and the drum'n'bass and hip-hop parties on Friday and Saturday night, the bike park with several pump tracks, dirt lines, downhill and enduro lines and the biggest slopestyle track in Eastern Europe are accessible to the public throughout the event. It is a playground for bikers of all levels.
Final considerations
Bikefest Kálnica was an incredible experience, a mixture of exciting races, community spirit and non-stop entertainment. Despite the mud and language barriers, it was a celebration for all bikers - and that with a height difference of only 90 meters from top to bottom. If you're a mountain bike enthusiast looking for a unique and exhilarating event, Bikefest Kálnica should definitely be on your list. Stay tuned for my next blog post in this series as I head to one of my favorite events of the season, Crankworx in Innsbruck, Austria!
P.S. A wild ride with surprising hitchhikers
Three days after leaving Kálnica, I discovered a small, large gift that had found its way into my van. As it turned out, I had parked our vehicle on a colony of ants for six days. The ants slowly made their way into the camper and under the ground to seek shelter from the weather. At first I had no idea where they were coming from, but then I found ants almost everywhere in the camper, except - ironically - in the food storage and water tank cabinet (lucky me). Determined to clear my home on wheels of these tiny invaders, I checked into a campground, literally took everything out of my van and cleaned and sprayed the entire thing with ant spray. It was an exhausting process, but necessary to get my place back!
Foto Credits:
Giulia Gantenbein
Pochyba