ŠIC NA BIC 2008. - Tko jači, taj klači!

For the third year in a row, the association Mladi za Marof organized the Novi Marof cycling event 'ŠIC NA BIC.' Just like previous years, around a hundred cyclists gathered on the morning of Saturday, June 28, 2008, at the Novi Marof Croatian Statehood Square. Red t-shirts, the symbol of this year's ride, and a crowd of colorful bikes filled the Square. The Mayor of Novi Marof, Mr. Zdravko Maltar, greeted everyone and gave the signal to start.

Here is how the route went: From 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., the cyclists reached their first stop—the municipality of Sveti Ilija, via the villages of Remetinec, Strmec, Podevčevo, and Beletinec. In Sveti Ilija, they were welcomed by local volunteer firefighters with refreshments.

The central point of this year's ride was the municipality of Gornji Kneginec, where we stopped at the well-known restaurant 'Kneginečka hiža.' There, the kind hosts prepared an excellent goulash to refuel us for the next part. In the idyllic yard of 'Kneginečka hiža' we stayed almost two hours, enjoying entertainment and a prize draw for valuable cycling awards, courtesy of the sponsors. We selected the youngest and oldest, heaviest, most skillful, and smartest cyclist.

The afternoon sun was still high when we set off toward Vrtlinovec and Varaždinske Toplice, which we reached around 3:00 p.m. There, city officials greeted us with cold drinks. After another 30 minutes of climbing through the hills of the Varaždinsko-topličko zagorje we arrived in Ljubešćica, where the hosts and the mayor welcomed us with refreshments. Ljubešćica was our final stop, from where we sent heartfelt greetings back to Novi Marof.

We returned to the Novi Marof Square, where we started, a few minutes before 4:00 p.m. There we were welcomed by the president of the local committee, Mr. Dražen Slunjski. The ride ended without any injuries or complications. Everyone made it back safely, and thanks to the BK 'Maraton' riders, who did a lot of spur-of-the-moment bicycle repairs, some even went home with bikes in better condition than at the start.

Alongside BK 'Maraton,' the tradition of this cycling event was recognized and supported by the City of Novi Marof as the main sponsor; the City of Varaždinske Toplice; the municipalities of Sveti Ilija and Ljubešćica; the Novi Marof Red Cross (first aid team); the 4th Police Station; and sponsors: CBA Trgonom d.o.o., Comet d.o.o., Hajduk 'plastična ambalaža' d.o.o., HUNI bike shop, Knauf Insulation d.o.o., and Plinoservis 'Valjak.' More than 20 volunteers and MZM members worked tirelessly to make this event attractive, fun, suitable for all ages, well-supported, and a point of pride for Novi Marof. MZM thanks and congratulates all participants for their kilometers ridden under the slogan 'the stronger you are, the harder you pedal.' See you next year!