Istra Land

One month left! ✨

The summer heat is taking a brief pause here in Istria — just in time to help us realize there is only ONE MONTH left until we ride!

And the official Istra Land 2026 schedule is finally ready:
September 17
13:00–18:00 — Riders’ accreditation
19:00 — BBQ party
September 18
06:30 — Mandatory briefing
07:00 — Start of Istra Land 2026
September 21
18:00 — Official closure of the finish line

Don’t forget: riders’ accreditation is mandatory. In order to prepare for it, all documents must be submitted through the online form before September 10.

The route will be shared around two weeks before the start. More info about the venue, official parking spots, and final details is coming soon.

Save this post, start packing, and maybe check your lights game twice! The last long ride of summer is almost here 🌵

Late registrations are open now — link in bio 💌

You asked, we listened: Istra Land registrations are reopening ✨

Over the past few days, we’ve received so many messages asking for late registrations, last-minute spots, and tiny little exceptions... and honestly? We get it!

Istra Land has never been just another bikepacking or gravel race. For us, it’s also a big dusty party to say goodbye to summer, and we would love as many people as possible to be there with us.

But every good party also needs a lot of work behind the curtains. That’s why registrations have a deadline: they allow us to plan everything properly, confirm numbers, organize the logistics, and prepare the welcome packs. Especially with the event happening just after the summer break, last-minute merch production and orders are always a little complicated.

But we found a compromise! We’re reopening registrations for Istra Land 2026 and giving you two more weeks to join the party.

There’s just one important note: some items in the welcome pack will be limited to the number of riders registered before July 31. No worries, late registrations will still receive the same welcome pack, but a few items may be slightly different.

This is the best solution we could find to let more people join while still respecting the deadlines that allow us to make the event happen properly.

So, here it is: one more chance to be part of Istra Land 2026! Late registrations are open now — link in bio 💌

📸 Nicolò Blasi

The jersey is back 🌵

After receiving an incredible number of messages and requests to order more Istra Land limited jerseys, we’ve decided to reopen preorders!

So yes: you still have a chance to get yours ✨

A very important note before you order: jerseys booked from today will not be available for collection at Istra Land 2026. Gobik factory is currently closed for the holidays, and production takes around 30 days, so this new batch will be shipped directly to your home at the beginning of October.

Thank you for all your support, for loving this design, and for helping us turn this fifth-anniversary jersey into something even more special!

We can’t wait to see you wearing it on dusty roads, seaside rides, big adventures, and wherever your bike takes you next 🐐

Preorders are open again — link in bio 💌

📸 Exploro

Last chance to join Istra Land 2026 💌

That’s right: registrations for the last long ride of summer close on July 31!

As we get closer to the start, we’re also finalizing the last details of the new route. After a lot of scouting, riding, and probably overthinking, it’s exciting to see everything finally coming together in a way that feels very Istra Land 🐐

And this might be the fastest edition of Istra Land we’ve ever had! Not because it will be easy, obviously, but because the route is starting to feel beautifully new, with more coastline, more wild inland sections, and still plenty of premium chunky gravel ✨

We’re also considering an earlier start, possibly at 8:00 or even 7:00 in the morning, to make the most of the September daylight. That would mean more hours to ride in the light, more chances for everyone to enjoy the wild coastline trails before dark, and hopefully more riders reaching those seaside sections with golden-hour legs and sunset views 👙

So now we want to hear from you: would you prefer the classic start time, or would you be happy to start earlier and gain more daylight?

Let us what you think 👇

Registrations close on July 31 — link in bio 💌

📸 Nicolò Blasi

New route? YES ✨

We’re changing things for Istra Land 2026 — but don’t worry: the famous Istrian premium chunky gravel is not going anywhere!

It’s time to reveal one of the main inspirations behind this new edition.

Welcome to Lighthouse Porer ⛵️ standing off the southernmost tip of Istria!

This place holds a strong meaning for us, and this year, we hope its light will guide you too: through the easy kilometers and the hard ones, through the dust, the coastline, the wild inland sections, and through all the moments when Istria reminds you that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

But 2026 is also about saying out loud what Istra Land has always been:
your favorite last long ride of summer, AND the home of premium chunky gravel 🐐

Yes, we’re putting it in bold characters. YES, it’s definitely going on your new favorite T-shirt! And yes, a sneak peek of the final design is coming soon 👀

Don’t miss the new era of Istra Land: Piski Desert 🌵

Registrations are open until July 31 — link in bio 💌 and at the end of this caption ⬇️

Sept. 17: Rider’s Accreditation
Sept. 18: Start
Sept. 21: Official finish

https://forms.gle/Hhty4WnrrznY2UJ88

Last chance to join Istra Land 2026 ✨

Didn’t get your ticket yet? Better be quick!

Registrations for the last long ride of summer are open only until July 31 — and then it’s time to close the list and get ready for a new chapter of Istra Land: Piski Desert 🌵

This year, we’re entering a new era: more dust, more coastline, more wild inland sections, new details, and a couple of guiding lighthouses along the way ☀️

Don’t miss ISTRLD Piski Desert!

Registrations are open now — link in bio 💌

📸 Nicolò Blasi

The rhythm of the sea ⚓️

Did you know that lighthouses are maritime safety beacons? Their beams of light guide ships along hazardous coastlines and provide an analog backup for digital systems.

Each lighthouse has its own unique flashing rhythm, allowing sailors to identify their exact position at sea — even in the darkest storms!

In a way, Istria has been our lighthouse for a long time.

Whenever we feel tired, lost, or disconnected, its light brings us back. Back to the sea, back to the dust, back to the roads we love, and back to that feeling of being exactly where we are supposed to be.

That’s why lighthouses will be one of the main themes of Istra Land 2026!

Don’t forget that registrations for Istra Land 2026 are open for a little more — link in bio 💌

📸 Nicolò Blasi

Last chance to get your Istra Land jersey ✨

Preorders for the Istra Land anniversary jersey close on July 1st at 23:59.

Created to celebrate 5 years of dust & passion, the jersey is available in two styles — slim fit and loose fit — and in sizes from 2XS to 2XL.

You can choose to collect it directly at the Accreditation Desk during Istra Land, or have it shipped to your address just after the event dates.

Already placed an order but haven’t paid yet? You can still complete your payment before July 1st!

Need to change the number of items, size, or style? Please place a new order so we can make sure everything is correct before sending the batch to production.

After July 1st, the preorder closes and we won’t be able to guarantee extra availability.

Don’t miss it — link in bio 💌

📸 giuliano koren

Back home & celebrating the summer solstice ☀️

After the beautiful chaos of the Trans Balkan Race 2026, we left to support Lael Wilcox on her ride around the world.

We were supposed to be out of the office until mid-July, but things turned out a little differently because of the massive heat wave currently hitting Europe. And well, let’s just say that extreme temperatures are not exactly ideal when you’re trying to cycle across the world and break a world record.

What’s left of this attempt?
A questionable worker tan, a mega sleep debt — over 30 hours and counting —, an absurd number of hours in the van (huge thank you to Kili for carrying us across Europe 💛), and some incredible stories we’ll probably be telling for a long time!

So we’re back home much earlier than expected, almost in time to celebrate the summer solstice. And what better way to do it than by riding across Istria? After spending days on the Spanish Meseta Central, we obviously had to visit our own little desert: Piski Desert 🌵

We’re now going through all the messages and emails we received over the past two weeks, and we’ll get back to everyone as soon as possible.

In the meantime, don’t forget to get your ticket for Istra Land 2026! Registrations are open now — link in bio 💌

📸 Exploro