The unplanned grand finale
Day 11 – a bonus day that was completely unplanned! I decided to split the last day to take it more relaxed, which turned out to be the best decision since deciding to start this madness in the first place.
Morning person? Not again
I planned to start early at 7:00 to avoid the heat, but here’s the thing, I’m about as much of a morning person as a vampire is a sun enthusiast. Plus, I wanted breakfast like a civilized human being, so 7:00 was already pushing my biological limits.
GPS: The ultimate troll
When I finally got my act together, I realized I hadn’t actually planned the route. Classic me! I started checking the one from the day before and noticed some weird roads that didn’t seem very “drivable”, and by drivable, I mean suitable for anything with wheels that isn’t a mountain goat.
I was right. My GPS was trying to send me into the hills on gravel roads and even to border crossings that don’t actually exist. It’s like my navigation system had developed a twisted sense of humor: “Oh, you want to finish this trip? How about some imaginary borders and mountain bike trails instead!”
Local knowledge saves the day (Sort of)
After asking local people for directions, because apparently that’s still a thing in 2025, they told me I had to take a completely different route. The border crossing I wanted to use was only for locals, not international travelers. Because of course it was.
After figuring out this navigational puzzle, I finally took off just before 8:00, starting immediately with some hills. Nothing too bad, just the road’s way of saying “good morning, let’s see what you’re made of.”
The great border crossing gamble
Once I reached the border area, I decided to gamble and try the local crossing anyway, it would cut off around 10 kilometers, and after 1,900km, every kilometer counts. Unfortunately, it involved a bit of a climb, but I was ready to risk it.
Spoiler alert: it was not a good decision.
I got politely but firmly denied by the police, who told me to turn around and go the other way because I didn’t have the magical pass required to cross. At least I got a nice downhill out of the detour before returning to reality and heading to the actual international border crossing.
Choose your own adventure: Hills or traffic
At the real border, I had a decision to make. The police officer gave me two options: the old road through the hills or the new main road following the coast. The coast road is much nicer (and I knew this from experience), but they warned it gets quite busy with traffic since tourist season had already started.
I chose the coast road because it had much less climbing, and honestly, after 10 days of cycling warfare, I was ready to trade traffic for flat roads.
Coastal bliss (Mostly)
The choice turned out to be mostly brilliant. Since it was an extended weekend, most vacation travelers had already made their journey, so the road was surprisingly peaceful. Following the coast and sea was absolutely beautiful, finally, some reward for all the suffering!
After spending quality time in Bosnia (and living to tell about it), I crossed the border again with no problems. Super fast this time, apparently, leaving Bosnia is much easier than surviving it.
The Dubrovnik gauntlet
Everything was going swimmingly until the road connected to the main thoroughfare to Dubrovnik. The last 20 kilometers were absolutely hectic, I wouldn’t recommend driving a car there, let alone piloting a bicycle through that chaos.
Those final 20km felt longer than the previous 1,000km combined. That road is really famous for being infamous, and now I know why. It’s like the city’s final test: “You’ve made it this far, but can you survive our traffic apocalypse?”
Mission accomplished
After arriving at my destination, I felt an enormous relief and sat on the terrace for a few hours, just processing what had happened. I felt a bit lost, actually, it’s been an incredible journey over the last 11 days and 1,900 kilometers.
Tomorrow, for the first time in nearly two weeks, there is absolutely nothing to plan or do cycling-wise. No routes to plot, no borders to cross, no dogs to outrun, no Bosnian drivers to dodge. I guess it will help me process the whole trip, and I’ll probably have something more profound to say once my brain catches up with my legs.
A heartfelt thank you
Before I dive into the next adventure (literally), I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported this journey. Whether you’ve been following along on the daily videos, reading these detailed blog posts, or contributing to the cause, you’ve all been part of this incredible experience.
I have to admit, I was genuinely surprised by how many people actually read these longer, more detailed accounts. In a world of quick social media updates and short attention spans, you’ve taken the time to dive into the full stories behind those brief video clips. You’ve read about the dog chases, the near-death experiences, the moments of doubt, and the small victories that don’t always make it into the highlight reels.
That means more than you know. These detailed posts capture the real journey, the messy, complicated, sometimes terrifying reality behind the adventure. The fact that you’re here, reading this, shows that you’re not just along for the ride, you’re truly invested in both the journey and the cause.
The mission continues
A massive thank you to everyone who has donated to SOS Children’s Villages Croatia so far. Your generosity has been overwhelming and inspiring. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference in the lives of children who need support.
And here’s the best part, the donations will keep going while the scuba diving adventures continue! The cycling wheels may have stopped turning, but the mission to support these children carries on beneath the Adriatic waves.
So stick around for the underwater chapter of this story. Who knows? Maybe swimming with fish will be less dangerous than dodging Bosnian traffic. Though knowing my luck, I’ll probably encounter some very grumpy sea creatures with attitude problems.
Thank you for being part of this journey. The adventure continues!
1,900 kilometers conquered, 8 countries explored, countless challenges overcome – all to support children through SOS Children’s Villages Croatia. The wheels stop rolling, but the adventure continues beneath the waves, and your support continues to make it all worthwhile! begins! donate.wheres-marin.com
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