WIND IN THE HAIR, BITOLA ON WHEELS

Bitola – a city located at the foot of Pelister. Big enough and beautiful to inspire you to start a new adventure, only this time by bike.

Cycling through a city is one of the healthiest and most beautiful activities throughout which many new friendships may be established. The beauty of being on a bike lies in the fact that one has the flexibility of a pedestrian, but the speed of a car. Therefore, one could cover considerable mileage, get anywhere, any corner could be reached and what is more, one could experience the sights and the situations simultaneously.

We have all ridden bikes as children; unfortunately, at some point in life we have stopped. Rediscovering the benefits of the bicycle, especially if you cycle with friends, is as if returning to youth. We recollect why we rode bicycles as children and we ask ourselves why we do not cycle now as adults.

The fact that cycling is very cool and urban, even in the elegant and perfumed Bitola on high heels, was shown this year by the guys from BitolaOnBike during Manaki. Manaki is a film festival in the true sense of the word, with red carpets where the glamour (suitable to our conditions) adds its touch to the occasion. At the film premiere of the documentary OnBike, the guys arrived as they would arrive from point A to point B every day throughout the year – on bikes. They paraded on the red carpet with their bikes and posed to photographers just as glamorous. On this same red carpet many big stars who were festival guests were being photographed such as Juliette Binoche, Catherine Deneuve, Michael York, etc.

Before you start the tour, bear in mind that you are cycling in an urban area, and not in any, but right among the men from Bitola. Well, all right, you ride among the women from Bitola, as well J. While cycling in a city, wearing a helmet is not mandatory, but a bicycle bell and lights are essential equipment for any bike. Do not forget to give proper cycling hand signals, every time you turn left or right. Behave exemplary as a traffic participant, not only because you are cycling in the city of consuls, but also because it is your duty to practice it always and everywhere.

Start pedaling and head to your destination number one – Heraclea which is a must. You could get there…no, it is senseless to instruct you how to get to Heraclea when there are road signs everywhere in the city. And you could always ask somebody for directions. After all, we are not Finland to walk around with GPS devices in our own country, there is still some warmth left in ourselves to ask our fellow citizens for directions and to start some casual conversation or perhaps establish a new friendship. The famous Via Egnatia road passed through Heraclea – an important trade-route which connected Bosphrous with the Adriatic Sea and went through Istanbul, Thessaloniki, Bitola and Durrës. This piece of land has so much history that it would be such a pity and a shame to go to Bitola, but not visit Heraclea. I would advise you to take a guided tour because they are there to make visitors familiar with the people’s daily lives in ancient times. Also, the stone ruins would mean nothing to you if there is no one to explain to you what is what.

Cycle along the 1^st May Boulevard until the end. It is a broad avenue with cycle lanes on both sides, the Dragor river is between them, with impressive rows of trees and fabulous old town houses with verandas and balconies made of wrought iron. You will feel as a consul on a bike. You would wish to have been more elegant at that moment.

Since you are on a bike, you could afford to get out of the city. It is obligatory to pedal towards Bajro. Barjo is a Roma settlement at the entrance of the city of Bitola. It is Bitola’s Shutka. Going to Bajro by bike is not even a similar experience to passing there by car. I have been several times in Bitola by bike, and every time I have passed by Bajro, the children would run towards us, people would wave from their houses, the ones sitting on the road verge (there is always someone who is sitting on the road verge and is eating sunflower seeds) would hit the metal sheets to say hello…that is such a bizarre experience which makes you feel as if you have gone to Calcuta.

However, Bitola is not only known as the city of consuls. The great Kemal Ataturk studied in Bitola’s Military Academy, and believe it, many Turks travel by plane for the sole purpose of seeing this Academy; well now, you could do the same by cycling through Bitola. Today this building is known as National Institution “Institute and Museum”, and is situated in the Old Barracks. In the past, it was a Military High School – Idadie, and later became a Military Academy – Harabie. This is your opportunity to have a short, but educational break. Lock your bike in front of the entrance and enjoy in the company of the most valuable cultural and historic treasures of this region.

Having received a small dose of education on your way, in the end, feel free to get lost in the alleys. The houses are not with renovated facades like the ones on Shirok Sokak (the Main/Wide Street). They are reflection of the old. You will be impressed by the alleys with glamorous old town houses. You would think that at any moment you might see a carriage passing by.

I can guarantee you that the city experience one can get while being on a bike is not even similar to any other experience when visiting a city. First of all, you are completely free to “get lost” – no matter how far you are, you can return in no time. You are on a bike. Secondly, you do not pollute the environment and you do not have to worry about finding a parking space. You can literally park your bike anywhere. At the same time, you relax and burn some calories you got while sitting at your computers from Monday to Friday. Turn infinitely in the maze of streets until you get tired, go to every corner of the city. There is not a better combination of blending recreation and pleasure in one.

When you get thirsty, immediately head towards the Clock Tower, where-from starts Shirok Sokak (the Main/Wide Street). There, choose some coffee bar, leave your bike next to the coffee bar so that everybody can see how you got there, sit at the table, but do not let yourself by any chance sit with your back facing Shirok Sokak (the Main/Wide Street), and order some refreshment. You have earned it.

Cycle safely and consume responsibly!

Cheers!

Jovana Tozija,
on a bike across Macedonia.