KalandKör400: the first finishers

On this special occasion, project leader Péter Princzinger presented BalatonBike365 gifts to Miklós and László in Balatonföldvár on April 13.

The first finisher, Miklós Papp, is a 68-year-old retired physical education teacher and swimming coach. He worked in Nagykanizsa and has lived in Zalakaros for 15 years, where he started cycling. He had already begun riding the stages of KalandKör400 before the project was officially unveiled, because he noticed the KK400 signs appearing on Balaton cycling tour routes. Miklós explains personally what happened next:

PM: Lake Balaton is one of my great loves as a cyclist too. I ride a lot in the West Balaton region, and this is where I first encountered the signage (already last year). Using the BB365 app, I started exploring the route on my own initiative. It was not completely new to me, because I had also completed the BB Derby and the Great Balaton Ebike Race routes in previous years. I was very happy when it became public, I thought this was a new challenge for me as well, and I decided to ride all of it.

BB365: How did you first come across the possibility of completing it?

PM: By following BB365 posts on social media, it became clear why there had been secrecy around placing the new signs. After the announcement I looked up the stages and the QR-code checkpoints, and that was when I started planning how to complete it.

BB365: How did you split your completion?

PM: I had already done the BB Derby (also 400 km) in three stages, but because of the March timing and logistics, this time I planned out-and-back rides or at most one or two stages per outing. Because of that, my total ridden distance was 740 km, across eight attempts between March 18 and April 4.

BB365: As one of the first testers, what comes to mind about the completion process, and would you change anything?

PM: Signage is inaccurate and incomplete in a few places, but this is the KalandKör, an adventure loop after all. QR code scanning was new, and many times I found the signs only using GPS position. The red stage-boundary signs are easy to spot. I used the BB365 app (the KK400 route) for navigation, and in parallel I tracked scanned checkpoints in my profile. It would be great if the current position were also visible on the profile map. I experienced (not only myself, especially on the Káli loop) that time was counted from the first scan instead of the last, so it gave completely false times, and sometimes it did not even accept the return route. It also happened that the route led to private property and a wired, locked gate (around Várvölgy). It would be good if such cases could be reported after the tour so others could also learn about them. Basically this is destined for success, a great idea, and you can see there is a lot of work behind it. It should be promoted so cyclists dare to break away from Balaton more boldly, because the traditional Balaton Bike Circle is fortunately already overcrowded.

I would suggest creating a community site similar to the Balaton Bike Circle where anyone could share routes and experiences.

BB365: What bike did you use to complete the KalandKör?

PM: Basically I use several types of bikes; based on my previous experience, I rode the KalandKör with a full-suspension pedelec MTB with electric assist, because this keeps the route enjoyable for me.

BB365: Who would you recommend KK400 to?

PM: Certain asphalt sections along the shore and inland can suit even families, but there are terrain sections that require some cycling knowledge and practice. During my scouting rides I encountered clay-covered roads that had turned into an "ice rink", and I also had to skirt small "lakes" on deer paths and through wild boar wallows in dense dark forest. Electric assist pulled me out of trouble many times, but hats off to gravel riders crossing deep sand as well. This can satisfy people seeking extreme challenges too, so all I can say is: with proper route choice, anyone can set out.

In quick succession, the early-April completion by 41-year-old László Horváth already pushes the limits of extreme challenge. The athlete, also known from the BalatonBike365 tour-guide training, undertook to ride the KalandKör in one go. He succeeded, finishing the loop in 21 hours, including 19 hours spent on the bike, and became the first to complete the full KK400 distance in one ride. Bujti asked Laci about the special adventure:

Bujti also talked with Miklós, the first finisher: