DESCRIPTION
Unique race in the world of MTB
We won’t say it’s a race for everyone…because – it isn’t!
But it is a race for MTB fans ready to experience a powerful mix of breathtaking trails, pains and pleasure, partners and rivals and the race where all those who reach the finish line are – winners!
We won’t say this is the toughest race ever…it’s probably not! But we know it’s not often that you experience such diversity of the terrain, sharp and steep climbs and and fast and technically demanding descents where only the bravest will let the brakes all the way.
We won’t say that this is the most beautiful race…beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. But it’s the race along single trails on the coastline with steep climbs to the mountain tops awarding bikers with magnificent views of unspoiled nature and villages over thousand years old….Oh yes…we definitely can say this race is one of the most beautiful in the world!
RAW BEAUTY
Mitas 4 Islands is one of those few races in the world of mountain biking that takes place completely on the seaside.
Many of our riders have a bit of a hard time focusing on the trails themselves, since the Adriatic landscape offers so many distractions.
From trail sections that follow coastal paths to sandy beaches and high vantage points that offer a view of the sea stretching out between the 4 islands of Krk, Rab, Cres and Lošinj, this race has it all.
And it’s not only the sights that the sea provides, oh no!
Nothing beats the clean sea air fragranced by pine trees, lavander, sage and other medicinal herbs that grow in this part of Croatia, while the sound of the waves washing up on the beach pebbles is accompanied by a chorus of crickets and music from the local tavern as the sun sinks beneath the horizon.
Truly a race that offers both thrills and relaxation to all riders.
THE TRAILS
WHO BUILT THEM?
The 4 Islands race follows some amazing trails along the Adriatic coast and in previous years many racers have given us lots of credit for building them.
We have to admit one thing though: we merely adjusted the trails for mountainbikes.
These were all built by trailblazers way, way before us, starting with the trade roads of the Roman empire all over the Adriatic some 2000 years ago, then by Napoleonic troops who built a road on the island of Lošinj in the 19th century, one on the island of Rab built by the legendary Croatian forestry engineer and mountaineer Ante Premužić almost 90 years ago, and all the small paths criss crossing the mountains and islands of Croatia that were built by local shepherds, highlanders and traders throughout the long history of these parts.
And then last (and least) our hardworking staff and volounteers who spend weeks before the race shoveling dirt around to make it more hospitable to mountainbikers instead of, you know, mules and armored boots.
So remember to honor all these people who, for various reasons and throughs lot of sweat and grueling back breaking work, helped to build all these trails throughout the history so that today we can enjoy the amazing scenery of the 4 Islands race.
THE EMOTIONS
Us mountain bikers are tough. It's part of both the sport and the image, right?
Don’t make a mistake of judging us by our appearance. We still have emotions, right!?
Deep down, under the suntans and the tough skin and the mud on the face and the helmet, there is a delicate soul. We appreciate the finer things in life.
Meeting our friends early in the morning. The first coffee and warming up before the climb as you exchange gels and jokes. Ride through the town together on the way to the mountain. Riding along and meeting a fellow biker who needs a spare tire. Beating your best previous time or jumping a bigger kicker than last week. Giving your buddy a push on a tough uphill or teaching them how to ride downhill without faceplanting over the handlebars. The thrill of seeing the finish line. Yelling to your teammates to give them a kick before the final push. The beer at the finish line and having a laugh with our mates before going home. Eagerly waiting for the next ride. The memories and friends made.
Enjoy together and make new un4gettable memories at Mitas 4 Islands
ROCK THE BOAT
Every mountain biking race is different.
Some of them are unique. But only one can boast with having its riders start the race from the deck of a floating behemoth.
Those of you who already attended one of the previous 4 Islands know what a crazy experience it is. The rest of you unlucky bastards will just have to trust my words and use a bit of imagination.
There you are, in your starting block, all dressed up in your fancy new 4 Islands souvenir jersey. One finger on your front brake and your shoe clicking on the metal deck, you can feel the ship slowly sway underneath as banter from hundreds of racers dressed in a kaleidoscopic jubilee of team jerseys bounces in the ship’s metal bowels. The race official is trying to out-yell the MC who keeps playing loud rock music while a flock of seagulls screams overhead, adding to the cacophony. The air smells faintly of a combination of diesel, salt, lavander, sweat and sage. Everyone’s getting ready as the music dies down and the race official, red in the face from yelling, finally sorts out the the last stragglers into starting blocks while the MC yells out minutes and seconds to start. Finally the ship siren wails like a banshee just feet above your head and in one frantic sprint you fight to get traction between your tires and the slippery metal shipdeck. The bike caravan heaves, the boat sways in response, and with one final push you finally pass the start line and make landfall. The sunrise beats into your eyes as you look ahead and see the first insane uphill of the stage and wonder: “What the hell just happened?!”
And this is only 10 seconds into the race.
