Club 1000.si

On June 22, 2024 will be the start of the twelfth edition of the 1000 km brevet and the fourth bikepacking race (both under the name 1000.si) organised by ŠD Bikepacking Slovenia (until 2019 ŠD BIK.SI).

The Brevet was first organized in 2011, and until 2019 it was known as the Slovenian 1000+. The traditional date of the Brevet is at the end of June every year, and the same will be the case in 2024, with only a few starts in early July. The Brevet was not only held in 2016 and 2019.

The 1000.si club includes all participants who have reached the finish line in the years when a brevet and/or a bikepacking race was organised. In addition to the solo competition, the bikepacking race is also open to pairs or a 4 x 250 km relay. In these cases, of course, arrivals at the finish line in a relay will not qualify for the 1000.si Club, as they do not cover the full distance. So far, 63 riders from eight countries have managed to do so: Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, the Czech Republic and Hungary. Some have ridden the brevet several times, making a total of 89 successful arrivals at the finish line. Only three of the finishers so far have been women.

And who is the one who has the most entries in 1000.si Club?

For some a surprise, for others not. This 1000 km brevet has been ridden most often by a woman, the legendary and by far the most successful Slovenian randonneur Tanja Kavčič. She has been a finisher six times.

The highest number of finishers was in 2016, when 16 riders reached the finish line.

In the first edition of the 2021 bikepacking race, 8 of the 11 riders who started the race made it to the finish line. All arrivals were in the men’s competition. In 2022, there were 6 riders at the start, 5 riders at the finish, including one woman. In 2023 there were 6 arrivals at the finish out of 9 at the start. So far only Srečko Deželak (SI) is a double finisher (2021 and 2023), the others were finishers once each.

We hope that in 2024 the number of participants who will successfully ride this enviable distance, again as a brevet and bikepacking race, will increase and exceed the number of 100. We also hope for the participation of some more female cyclists, as there are quite a few of them in Slovenia and worldwide who train diligently and overcome such and longer distances. So … optimism and courage count.

Many can do it, few dare!

See you at the club …