Gravel Magazine (Fr) presents Dunav Ultra

We’re ending the year with exciting news that has just arrived from France. The Dunav Ultra route is featured prominently as the main story in the December issue of Gravel magazine—a print publication entirely dedicated to cycling. Additionally, Gravel is among the most popular French magazines covering the latest in cycling and two-wheeled adventures.

Meissel: A Frenchman’s Love for Bulgaria

Journalist, videographer, and cyclist Olivier Meissel authored the piece after cycling through much of the Dunav Ultra route at the end of 2023. Meissel documented the region’s beauty and explored its cultural heritage, combining his professional expertise as a journalist with his passion for cycling. This journey forms part of his project—a documentary film series about Bulgaria titled “Mersi.”.

Gravel Magazine Features Dunav Ultra

Meissel’s upcoming documentary is inspired by the stories of his elderly father, who frequently visited Bulgaria and passed down the message from father to son that, alongside Switzerland, our country is the most fascinating and beautiful place on the continent.


The Bulgarian Seasons, Gravel magazine, December 2024

Dunav Ultra: The Unifying Path

Across eight pages in the latest issue of Gravel, Meissel captivatingly recounts his experiences in the Danube Plain. He highlights the Dunav Ultra route, describing its history, mission, and purpose. Meissel also mentions the Dunav Ultra mobile app, which opens Northern Bulgaria to cycling adventurers from around the globe.

One particularly interesting moment in the story is his meeting in Sofia with Boris Begamov, the creator of Dunav Ultra. Begamov provided crucial logistical support by sharing route information, recommending key overnight stops, and offering tips for tackling challenging sections. During the journey, Begamov remotely guided Meissel along the route, which was especially demanding during that time of year.


The Meissel-Begamov Meeting: The Danube in Focus

A Journey with Bulgaria at Heart

For his journey, Olivier cycled along quiet roads, spending nights in various locations—shelters, guesthouses, and even in nature under a tent. During the final days of December, he pedaled through snow and camped outdoors in sub-zero temperatures.

The memory of his recently deceased father inspired his mission. Meissel Sr. deeply connected with Bulgaria, visiting the country many times as a tour guide and instilling in his son a love for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Olivier Meissel’s cycling route in Bulgaria spanned over 1,200 kilometers. He began his journey in Sofia, passing through iconic locations like the Iskar Gorge, Montana, Belogradchik, Lom, Kozloduy, Gigen, Svishtov, and Ruse. From there, he followed the historic Ruse-Varna railway line before heading back by bicycle to Central Bulgaria, finishing in the Troyan Balkan.


Olivier Meissel

The traveler spent Christmas night at the Troyan Monastery, where he filmed the festive liturgy—an impactful and deeply personal moment for his upcoming documentary.

The production is scheduled for completion in 2025 and will be in French, professionally subtitled in Bulgarian.

Returning to the topic of Gravel—this is the first time a Bulgarian cycling route has been featured so extensively in a foreign publication, particularly in the homeland of the Tour de France. The feature on Dunav Ultra in Gravel is not only a high accolade for the route but also an exceptional gift for the region. It emphasizes Northern Bulgaria’s significance as a continental destination for cycling tourism.

So, we can truly exclaim with a graceful nod to the author—Olivier, Merci!

Dunav Ultra

Dunav Ultra

Най-дългият веломаршрут в България, приключенската му версия достига 740 км по поречието на Дунав до Черно море. Свързаното мобилно приложение Dunav Ultra е платформа за велосипеден и алтернативен туризъм в различни населени места в страната.
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