The Međimurje Amazon: A Pinch of Adventure

So… what is adventure, really? It’s when you face your own fears and potential risks — and instead of panicking or running away, you stay present and discover a strength within you that you didn’t know existed.

What does that look like in recreational cycling? Imagine pedaling through peaceful nature… and suddenly, a snake crosses your path. You don’t scream or sprint like the devils are after you — instead, you stop two steps away and snap a photo. Just like that, your little adventure has happened.

Snakes won’t bite unless we get too close. Will the grass snake or dice snake bite you? Only if you tug on its tail. But if you give it space and admire it from a respectful distance, it won’t.

Or… imagine cycling through the woods, and a group of wild boars appears on the path. You freeze. Cold sweat. A mild shock. They stop too, sniffing the air, trying to figure out what you are. It’s a standoff, and it’s also an adventure. You take a photo: 1–0 for you. Walk gently toward them: another point for you, because they’ll probably bolt. Run away in panic? Let’s say the boars win this round.

Just kidding about the scoreboard. Wild boars don’t attack unless they feel threatened. A person on a bike is just a curious rarity to them.

Riding through Međimurje, this kind of wild encounter is always a possibility. It won’t happen every day, but when it does, you’ll feel part of something special. Something that, sadly, is disappearing due to human impact on the natural world.

There are also inner adventures. You decide to climb that hill. The gentle slope is not a problem. But the steep ones, whether short or endless, become your personal Everest when your muscles are screaming and you’re out of breath. So what do you do? You find just a little more strength and push to the top. Or you get off and walk your bike. Trust us — even some of the strongest cyclists have pushed or carried their bikes to the top at some point. And that’s still an adventure.

Ride Međimurje offers rides for those who want to embrace adventure within recreation. Our routes take you through the so-called Amazon of Europe, along the lower Mura River, where the ride may require a bit more balance or a gentle push through rougher terrain. But these places offer views of untouched nature you’d never see if you stuck to the beaten path.

Cheers!
Siniša