Thanks Dooby, very kind of you to offer that.

Right now, I am in Zadar. I think I will ride to Banja Luka tomorrow, then onwards to Sarajevo, then Mostar, then southward into Albania. But, I might come through Zagreb on the way back, and if I do, I will certainly contact you.

Michael

Hi Pan,

no prob, I would suggest this route: Zadar-Gracac-Doljani-Bos. Petrovac-Kljuc-Jajce-Bugojno-jablanica-Konjic-sarajevo. Skip Banjaluka, its a boring city nothing really to see there at all.

From Sarajevo-Mostar-Ploce-ferry to Trpanj on Peljesac peninsula (Dingac wine region, small coastal road through tunnel)-from Trstenik-Ston (restaurant Kapetanova kuca-try oysters and sea food, amazing ;-) ; then Ston-Dubrovnik-bay of Kotor-NJegus mausoleum-Rijeka crnojevica-Skadar lake-Albania-Tirana-Elbasan pass, and I would stick to the northern part of the country if you're into offroad and gorgeous Albanian alps.

If you need anything more write here or PM me, and I'll keep the cold beer in the fridge just in case ,

ride on

Dooby

Can I make a suggestion for a slight detour from the above route to take in the town of Travnik. Some have described it as a mini Istanbul which is perhaps pushing it a little, but nevertheless a town rich in history and well worth the effort.

You're totally right Paco, I was thinking to mention the old town and beautiful fortress, and famous Travnicki cheese. Travnik is also a birthplace of famous writer and nobel prize winner Ivo Andric,

ride on

Dooby

Hi Dooby:

Thanks very much for the route suggestions and the invite.

Since I last posted on this thread, I have travelled south through Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, gone all around the Peloponnese in Greece, and I'm now in Skopje, Macedonia, heading north. The most enjoyable countries so far (since leaving Bosnia) have been Montenegro and Macedonia.

I plan to go into Kosovo later this week, then duck into Montenegro again so as to enter Serbia via Montenegro (rather than from Kosovo, which I understand might vex the Serbs). I'm not sure of my route after that, whether or not I will go north into Hungary, or west into Croatia.

For sure, if I come near Zagreb, I will look you up. I was in Zagreb once before, but that was a long time ago, when Tito was still running the place. I suppose it has changed a bit since then. :)

Michael

Hi Michael,

no probs, I'm glad I could be of help for your plans.

Like for every HUBB-er or ADVrider inmate I'll keep cold beer in the fridge of Lobagola B&B just in case you stop by to say hi bier

Since Tito Zagreb has changed a lot. Guests tend to say that it's just started to look like Prag, bohemian vise.

Enjoy the ride, I wish I could come along :clap:

Dooby

Some great ideas on routes there :thumbup1:

I'm hoping to be down that area next year and was wondering how long it will take from Bihac to Mostar via Jajce? Similar question to how long is a piece of string I know, so exclude any stops, and not breaking the speed limit (too often), though Jajce looks a nice place to have a wander around.

Hi John,

It's totally doable in one day, without big stops, you'll be fine :thumbup1:

Thanks :thumbup1: google maps reckon on 4.5 hours at 70kph average, which isn't excessive, the difficulty is knowing how accurate they are.

You should be fine doing that route in a day. Just keep an eye out for speed guns.

Duibhcek is right, speed guns, especially in the area around Doboj if you ride in that area. Monte negro police is the craziest one regarding the fines, bribing etc, totally crazy :thumbdown:

I just finished driving all the way across Montenegro today - I entered from Kosovo, and exited into Bosnia. More or less followed the eastern border of the country all the way.

The tricky thing about Montenegro speed limits is that they often don't make a lot of sense. For example, a twisty road way out in the middle of no-where will have a 40 km/h speed limit, even though it is very safe and prudent to travel at 80 km/h on most parts of it. Speed limits in towns and villages tend to be posted at 40 km/h, rather than the 'national' limit of 50 km/h in urban areas.

Best suggestion I can offer is that you just 'do what the locals do', and also try to be following behind a local when you enter a built-up area.

I saw 3 police checkpoints today, but was not stopped or flagged at any of them.

Michael

Riding behind a local cager is the best thing to do ;-)

Frgich:

I'm overnighting in Kutina tonight (about 80 km to the east) and will be passing through Zagreb early Sunday afternoon. Send me a SMS if you would like to get together for a coffee. I sent you a private message with my cell phone number.

Michael

Thanks for the stopover Michael, it was a pleasure to chat with you yesterday.

I'm glad we met, enjoy the ride,

Dooby