Čiker MTB Marathon 2012

The first "Čiker MTB marathon" was organized in 2012, as a part of the Srbia and Montenegro cross-border project.That project also contained some other elements related to mountain cycling such as: tracing and marking the local cycling tracks, mtb tracks, building the rest areas etc. However, the marathon was standing out, due to its complexity, the required logistics, its requirements and ambition, and so, it became the main project of the MTB club "Čiker" from Kraljevo.

MTB club "Čiker", was the one which dealt with the marathon logistics, its design and realization. However, everything was carried out with the help of tourstic organisations which covered the areas that marathon was passing through, as well as the help of the few sponsors to which this type of manifestation was a novelty, as it was to all of us.

Marathon was conceived as a combination of sports and touristic potentials, without competitive proposition, with enough possibilities to enjoy the ride itself, as well as the landscapes the marathon goes through in 7 days, which is for how long the marathon 2012 lasted.

On first "Čiker MTB marathon" there were 40 bikers and even then it had an international character. The path it went through covered the following cities: Kraljevo, Ivanjica, Nova Varoš, Prijepolje and Pljevlja, and the mountaines we visited on that path were: Čemerno, Mučanj, Zlatar, Kamena Gora and Jabuka.

The success of the first marathon was a strong encouragement for the continuation of that project, but with more ambitious requirements, and the experience gained along the path contributed to realising the possible needs and options, corrections of some mistakes, as well as the improvement of some things that proved to be good.
The project in which "Čiker MTB marathon" recorded its beginning was proclaimed to be the best project of cross-border cooperation in 2012, financed by EU.

The idea was born, it was growing as the years passed and it finally saw the daylight and grew to become independent. Summer is on its way, along with the anxiety which is felt in the air. The first Čiker Mtb Marathon, organised by our club, is starting, within the project of crossborder cooperation between Serbia and Montenegro. Along with an excellent preparation and the luck they deserve, 40 cyclists, mostly from Kraljevo and its surroundings, headed towards Čemerno, passing by the slopes of Čemerno, Mučanj, Zlatar. What at first was the trial of strengths soon grew to a mutual understanding and respect. Day by day, the spirit level rises. The nervousness disappears before wide smiles. Having taken off a heavy burden of worries, together we enjoy our lunch on Zlatar with the representatives of cities Kraljevo and Plevlja. As we enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Kamena Gora, Jabuka, we also take pleasure in friendship of our cyclists. The finish line was taken by the 10 most persistent and most eager ones. For the marathon end, the dinner was set in Milet Bašta, and the imposed conclusion was: we move on!