To take you cycling in Poland among the historical oaks and violet elderberry blossom the BikeTrip team has cycled kilometres of dusty roads and lived years building biking experience themselves. Today, we’re meeting Przemek Zieliński (no relative of the SSC Napoli star), our manager, who will tell us the story of BikeTrip’s mission and dreams.
TS: Przemo, when did you start Biketrip and what was your first inspiration?
PZ: My brother convinced me to start cycling and travelling. Over the years I have worked in bicycle travel business and it was then that I decided to share my passion with others. In 2006 we started with a humble fleet of 5 bikes and we were going on trips to Croatia and around Poland. I would scuba dive a lot and the business was led by a friend of mine. Since 2010 I have been engaged completely. We went on to work with bigger enterprises, with hotels and I got interested in repairing bikes. We had several charity actions circling around the promotion of biking lifestyle. To seat a blind child on a saddle and lead them through the first metres of a ride, this was a beautiful reward for our effort.
TS: And what thrilling adventures did you have on the route?
PZ: When we were going to Albania, we encountered the biggest storm in history! Honestly! Even my friend who boasted the best tent ended up completely wet after the night. In such moments you feel you are alive, left somewhere with your team in the rain. I also adored the people in Georgia – one big friendly social adventure. They would give us everything they had, from shelter to chacha and possibly they would have married their daughters to us…
TS:What is your favourite tour from the BikeTrip offer?
PZ: It’s VeloDunajec definitely. Asphalt route of highest quality, nice views, and you won’t miss cultural attractions. It’s fun for everybody. I also like the VeloTatra, where you go around the Tatra Mountains. We drop by at our neighbours Slovaks, it’s mountains and often quiet. Actually, I’d love to be on bike in mountains all the time, although we plan also lowlands for our offer.
TS: So where is BikeTrip heading? Any goals?
PZ: We are about flexible, social and professional trips. We like our country and its traditions: we have the Krakow city charm and the whole Polish fatherland to cover. We want to travel with you to beautiful places in Minor Poland and then as far as Pomerania. Maybe one day we’d love to become the biggest bicycle tour-operator in Poland – travelling and speaking in many languages, very present in modern media.
TS: I also know that BikeTrip rents their bicycles and builds rental stations for hotels. And repairs them at good rates.
PZ: Sure, you’re right. We have quite a long tradition of co-operation with hotels and our whole fleet is in constant rotation in Krakow. We have guests from the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. They jump on our trekking bikes or mountain bikes (because we also offer some more sportsy experience on Enduro Trails in Bielsko-Biala). And we will repair a bike for anyone who pays us a visit on Zwierzyniecka Street 30, Krakow.
TS: Cool. And what was your first bike? Were you able to repair it yourself?
PZ: At first I used to ride on a Reksio and Pelikan, then it was a Polish MTB. A true jump into modernity came when I switched to a Scott. A sea change, believe me. And today we want to offer you light bicycles that ride smoothly and at the same time do not empty your purse. Such equipment is what takes you in the road near oaks and to smell the spring elder. It is either a successful background or the heart of a tour. As you prefer.
TS: Ah, Polish landscape…For me the biggest pleasure is the fresh greenery contrasting with a stormy sky when you sip up your beer in a shelter, maybe on a spacious covered bus-stop. And your favourite drink, as we’re already on that?
PZ: I think that we would stand together on this bus stop (laughing). I like pale ales, with American hops or without.
TS: Well, time is perfect for a round of Krakow craft-beer pubs. Thanks for being with me, Przemo. From a vision to everyday adventures – may you have only those happy.
And if you want to talk to Przemek there is nothing easier than writing a message on FB, an email or comment on our Instagram. He can always be found in BikeTrip office on Zwierzyniecka Street 30 in Krakow, where he sets his ear to the needs of customers or tinkers at some bike.
Be with us, we’ll talk about craft-beer soon. 😉 Next time we talk to Wiktor – our bike repair maestro.
Tomasz, Krakow
