Donovaly kicked off a new bike chapter, and we were there for it! On Saturday, June 27, a new bikepark opened, bringing together riding, exhibitions, a program for kids and adults, a gastro zone, and an evening afterparty all in one day. Visitors could hit the trails, support the riders, or simply soak up the atmosphere of this new bike location.
The opening program of Riders Park Donovaly took place across the entire area — in the Bike Base Camp at the P3 parking lot, by the hybrid pumptrack, in the Expo Zone at the central P4 parking lot, and directly in the bikepark. The day included the first official ride, a pumptrack program, coaching, and other activities.
Our team riders also joined the program. Andy Mitaš led the enduro ride, Jakub Hejl coached the pumptrack session, and our red HF booth with the latest bike collection and Mystery Box was there too. Our bike crew had a strong presence on site — Tomáš Zejda, Jakub Hejl, David “TrailHunter” Polesný, Andy Mitaš, and Maroško Murín aka @little_rider_maroshi.
One of the main highlights of the day was the Horsefeathers team exhibition. The program was rounded out with Best Trick, Bunny Hop Contest, Manual Challenge, a rider autograph session, and a group ride on the flow trails with our team. Visitors could not only watch the riding, but also take part in some parts of the program themselves.
The outdoor program continued until around 9 PM. After that, the action moved to the garage of Hotel Galileo, which turned into an underground afterparty space for the evening.
“Riders Park Donovaly surprised me with its size and great trails full of berms and safe jumps. Next time, I’ll come with my family too, because the park also offers an asphalt pumptrack, trampolines, and nice facilities.” — Tomáš Zejda
We also caught up with one of the organizers, Adam Biloveský, to find out more about the bikepark itself and its plans for the future.
How long did it take from the initial idea of building a bikepark to the actual realization?
Adam: The idea came about roughly two years ago. Back then, we started a broader research process, which showed us that Gravity Logic would be the best partner for designing the entire bikepark. Later, Bike Republic Sölden also joined the project as a strategic partner. The construction itself started last year in September, or more precisely at the end of September. Trail designers, bikers, people from the resort, and other shapers were involved in the process. Right now, it’s important to say that we are in the first phase of construction. The whole project is divided into phases over the next two years. In the current phase, we will have ten trails open in total, including the kids’ trails. For this season, five forest trails, two meadow trails, and three kids’ trails are ready.
What types of trails can riders find in the bikepark? Are they more for beginners, intermediate riders, or advanced riders too?
Adam: Basically, we go from complete beginner flow trails through intermediate singletracks and intermediate flow trails all the way to advanced flow. That means we have kids’ trails, green trails in the forest, blue trails, and two red ones. We want to be a family bikepark, but at the same time a bikepark for everyone — so that it’s not only families with kids coming here, but advanced riders can also have a great ride.
How is access to the trails set up? Will riders be able to use lifts, or will they also need to pedal up?
Adam: We have all 3 options. During the main season, we will run a chairlift with bike holders, the EASYLOOP system on 3 lifts, and also an uphill trail.
“In Donovaly, the first phase focused mainly on intermediate riders, and the trails are well adapted to that. They offer fun, dynamics, flow, and some jumps, while still remaining clear and safe. More experienced riders will find something to enjoy there too, but the bigger wild stuff will be added gradually over time.” — David “TrailHunter” Polesný
Will there also be special features on the trails? For example wooden elements, jumps, berms, or wallrides?
Adam: We have the trails divided into several parts. Two trails are fully machine-built, so the berms, rollers, and other features are completely built and shaped. Then we have three purely natural trails where machines haven’t been used at all. When it comes to special features, I think we’ll be known for being able to work with wood really well. In our shaper crew, we have an artistic carpenter and a woodworking crew that creates wooden bridges and other features for us. At the moment, we have three large wooden bridges and also a wallride — actually two wallrides. In my opinion, that’s one of the specific things that will make us stand out. Another specific thing is that our trails, at least the machine-built ones, work without pedaling and without braking. If you’re not afraid of it, it really works out so that you don’t have to pedal or brake.
The bikepark also includes a hybrid pumptrack. What exactly does “hybrid” mean?
Adam: It means we have several lines in one space. The pumptrack has a race section, a jumpline on one side, and also a learning section. Around the entire asphalt pumptrack, there is also a large wooden wallride. It’s this combination of elements that makes it a hybrid pumptrack.
Is the pumptrack meant only for bikes, or can you also ride a skateboard or longboard there?
Adam: Skateboards and longboards will be allowed. Scooters won’t be allowed.
“Riders Park Donovaly surprised me with all its trails, especially how well they are routed and how beautifully everything connects. Both hobby riders and total wild ones can have a blast there.” — Jakub Hejl
“Riders Park Donovaly is great because during the day you can cool down on awesome trails in the forest, and in the evening shred the most fun pumptrack in Slovakia until the darkness sends you to bed.” — Maroško Murín
What else will be in the park besides the trails and pumptrack?
Adam: Besides the seven main trails, we have three kids’ trails. I think this is something only a few places in Slovakia will have — maybe we’ll even be the only ones. For the kids’ trails, we have a conveyor belt, similar to what is used in ski resorts. Two of the kids’ trails are up to 90 meters long, and the third is around 220 meters. They all connect to one conveyor belt, so kids can easily get back up and ride down from both sides. On top of that, we also have a kids’ fun track and a learning zone.
What should we imagine under the learning zone?
Adam: It’s a machine-built loop where we can teach the basics of riding a bike. Riders can try basic things there, such as leaning into turns and overall bike handling. It’s simply a zone designed for learning how to ride.
Will you also have a bike school with your own instructors?
Adam: Yes, we will have a bike school, our own instructors, and a rental shop. At the same time, we will basically be the only Rose Bikes representative from Germany for Central Europe, because Rose doesn’t have traditional stores outside Germany and mainly operates through its e-shop. People will be able to try a bike with us, and if they like it, they’ll be able to order it afterwards. The whole setup is designed so that families with kids, as well as more advanced riders, can come and basically don’t need to bring anything of their own. They’ll have a school, rental shop, kids’ trails, beginner trails, advanced trails, and e-bikes available. We can do bike coaching on the pumptrack, on the trail, and in the learning zone. It depends on the rider’s level and what they want to improve. We want it to be a complete package.
“Riders Park Donovaly really got under our skin, because Maroško and I were able to have fun there for three days, while his less experienced mom and younger sister Sárinka also found plenty to enjoy.” — Martin Murín, Maroško’s father
„The bikepark is a great combination of flow and technical natural trails. What I enjoy the most is that you can choose what style you want to ride, and the trail then stays consistent from start to finish. It’s nicely readable, with no unexpected changes in terrain, surface, or difficulty. “ — Andy Mitaš
What are the next plans after the opening?
Adam: In the next phase, we want to build a jumpline and more trails. We have an advanced hybrid, advanced singletrack, expert hybrid, jumpline, a second jumpline, and other features planned. Over the next two years, we should have around 20 trails in total.
Will the difficulty increase in the future as well?
Adam: Yes, definitely. But it’s not only about increasing the difficulty. We mainly want to increase the number of trails and make sure they are well graded. It’s about a progression ladder. We don’t want riders to jump straight from an easy trail to a double black diamond or an extreme jumpline. We want to build the steps in between. There will be more blue and red trails, but also other levels, so riders can progress naturally. If someone can handle a red trail, for example, but doesn’t know how to jump properly yet, we can’t send them straight to a big jumpline. But we can send them to a hybrid trail with jump features that will move them closer to a jumpline or downhill trail.
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