Event is sold out!
This year, our traditional retro holiday will take place on June 6th in Kranjska Gora. Pony bike lovers will try to conquer the Vršič mountain pass serpentines for the 11th time. The current record, which was set last year, on this 13.5km-long track is 39 minutes and 10 seconds. Will it be broken again this year?
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Timeline
Friday
- 5:00–8:00 PM: Race number pick-up and technical inspections
Saturday
- 8:00 AM: Race number pick-up and technical inspection
- 12:00 PM: Registrations close
- 2:00 PM: Judging of retro outfits
- 2:30 PM: Technical briefing for competitors
- 2:40 PM: Pony parade from the center of Kranjska Gora to the starting line
- 3:00 PM: Start
- 6:20 PM: Award ceremony
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How should a Pony bike look like?
You can attend Bull Goni Pony … with a Pony! Either a legendary model, produced between 1965 and 1985, or a new Pony Classic model without gears. 20-inch wheels, no carbon additives, and a crankshaft of max 180mm. These are just some of the criteria required for this competition.
- Only 20 inch wheels allowed.
- No gears, no motors.
- At least rear brake functioning!
- No carbon parts.
- No gear ratio alteration (lowest ratio allowed is 44-20 or 3.1).
- Crank length 180mm max.
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Equipment transport to the top
Between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM, vans will be available at the main venue to transport equipment to the finish. You can hand over your belongings there—we especially recommend packing dry and warm clothes, which will definitely come in handy after the climb. The organizer does not assume responsibility for deposited items.
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Retro is cool
Legendary Pony requires retro outfit! What exactly? Leggings found in the mother-in-law's closet? Great! A T-shirt that cannot be bought in any store for the past 40 years? Perfect! Do these pieces of clothing need to match? Of course – we are looking for the best retro outfit!
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Rogličev KM
“Roglič’s” is of course named after Primož Roglič, our top cyclist and star of the Red Bull BORA – hansgrohe team. Last autumn, Primož tackled the Vršič climb on a Pony bike, together with multiple Red Bull Goni Pony winner Luka Kovačič. For their special challenge, they chose the section with the highest average gradient on the entire course. Logical, right? And that’s how the idea was born…
Competition within competition
It’s a competition within the Red Bull Goni Pony race. On this kilometer, time will be measured separately, so in addition to the King and Queen of Vršič, we’ll also get the winners of the most hellish section – Roglič’s Kilometer – in both the men’s and women’s categories.
What to expect
A section with the highest average gradient on the entire course.
Basic information
Distance
1km
Average gradient
11%
Max. gradient
Over 13%
How it looks like
On this section, Luka and Primož have already gone head-to-head. The latter beat Kovačič by 5 seconds and set the record:
Primož Roglič
Time
3.06 min
Average speed
19.3 km/h
Maximum power
684 W
Average power
459 W
Do you think you can come close to that?
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Road closures
From 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM, the road between Kranjska Gora and the top of the Vršič Pass will be completely closed to all traffic. All spectators must head to the summit or roadside parking areas before the closure begins.
Borovška cesta – entrance to Ramada parking – Vopa: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Vopa – Vršiška cesta: 2:35 PM – 3:15 PM and 5:40 PM – 6:30 PM
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Arrival
As always, you can reach Kranjska Gora by car—but why travel alone when you can come together with others? Consider taking the bus or sharing a ride with fellow participants. And for those who feel that the Vršič climb alone isn’t enough for one day, you can even arrive at the event on your pony!
Parking
Parking is permitted only in designated public paid parking areas. On the day of the event, municipal wardens will be particularly active, so make sure both your vehicle and your pony are parked properly. A large parking area is also available near the police station.
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Discover Slovenia
Spending an extended stay in Slovenia and craving more cycling adventures? Conquer Vršič and set off on a bike journey through green Slovenia in the days ahead!
Need some ideas? Check out some recommendations we created together with “Alma,” the I feel Slovenia AI tool.
Almost ready?
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