The Brod-Posavina County is home to the sixth largest Croatian city - Slavonski Brod, which is located on the banks of the idyllic Sava River and borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Cyclists will ride into a fairytale city, where the world-renowned fairy tale writer Ivana Brlić Mažuranić penned many of her tall tales - a city which has not changed much in the last few hundred years. The city centre has rows of baroque buildings, making it the perfect place to start or end a cycling tour. Cyclists should be sure not to miss the 18th century Brod Fortress, which was once a strategic point of defence from the Ottomans.
Nova Gradiška would be the perfect place for beginners keen to get some cycling experience; the Franjo Belar Dida trail has a total length 24km and is a comfortable ride. There are three tracks to choose from, all which sit below the Psunj Mountain - the highest mountain of Slavonia. Each is well signposted, and all start in Nova Gradiska. Along the routes, key highlights include the Jewish graveyard, Franciscan Monastery, Church of St. Peter and Paul, Kulmer Castle, archaeological excavation sites, a water mill as well as passing through fields and woodlands before returning to Nova Gradiska.
While wheeling along the Franjo Belar Dida track, riders should keep watch for the Kumić family farm, where cyclists can get a cold refreshing drink and take cover under a large gazebo.
The town of Županja, still in the Brod-Posavina County has developed the Golden Thread Road (Cesta zlatne niti) which along with well-defined cycling paths offers foodies top Slavonian cuisine. Take roads through the Golden Thread and experience the real Slavonia and escape the hectic city life and breathe fresh village air. Along the way saviour Slavonian plum brandy and enjoy local specialities in and around the villages of Štitar, Babina Greda, Kruševica, Šiškovci, Gradiste, Bosniaks, Drenovci, and Vrbanja.
Head to Klakar in Slavonski Brod this August-September and join the Pariz-Mali Klakar ride, with an expected 300 cyclists from across Europe including Finland, Hungary, France, Italy, Poland and Germany. At 46 km long this ride is non-competitive and is aimed at getting everyone on a bike to experience the local traditional culture through food and music.
