Balaton BIKE Derby
The king of one-day gravel races in Hungary.
Start: 2025.08.29. Friday - 06:00
Distance
370 km
Elevation
3 750 m
Balaton bike Derbyke
Stamp-collecting gravel tour in the Keszthely Hills.
Start: 2025.08.29. Friday - 14:00"
Distance
80 km
Elevation
1 200 m
You've never seen Lake Balaton like this before
The area around Lake Balaton is always stunning, but now you can discover it from a whole new perspective! This gravel tour takes you to places that traditional bike paths don’t reach – breathtaking panoramas, hidden forest trails, and beautiful vineyards await you. You’ll definitely see Lake Balaton through different eyes and discover places you never even imagined existed. It’s time to rediscover Lake Balaton like you’ve never seen it before!
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Tickets & Registration
A maximum of 300 participants can register for both the 2025 Balaton Bike Derby and the Derbyke. Once this limit is reached, registration will be closed.
Early bird discounts are valid until 2025.04.30.
Balaton Bike Derby
Single Entry- Balaton Bike Derby event experience as an individual. Includes all services, gifts, and refreshments.
Balaton Bike Derby
Pair Entry- Balaton Bike Derby event experience for pairs (2 people). Includes all services, gifts, and refreshments.
Derbyke
Single Entry- Stamp-collecting gravel adventure tour with a cool refreshment station and a finish-line drink.
Tracks
What we recommend
CYCLING EXPERIENCE AROUND LAKE BALATON LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE
You can see it as a challenge, an experience, or even couples therapy. The Derby is a great opportunity to find exactly what you’re looking for in sports or cycling. With two distances, a professional start/finish location, and a large field of participants, we’re waiting for you at Hungary’s biggest gravel event.
FAQ
DERBY
2025.04.30 23:59: The early bird registration deadline ends. From this point, tickets will only be available at full price. A maximum of 300 participants can register for the event.
2025.08.28 16:00 – 21:00: Derby race pack collection and on-site registration. NOT POSSIBLE IN THE MORNING!
2025.08.28 – 19:00: Participant briefing
2025.08.29 05:00 – 05:30: Meeting and preparation for the start
2025.08.29 06:00: START
2025.08.31 20:00: End of the 2025 Balaton Bike Derby time limit and official closure of the event.
DERBYKE
2025.04.30 23:59: The early bird registration deadline ends. From this point, tickets will only be available at full price. A maximum of 300 participants can register for the event.
2025.08.29 10:00-13:30: Race pack collection and on-site registration. On-site registration for the Derbyke is also possible.
2025.08.29 13:45: Derbyke gathering
2025.08.29 14:00: Balaton Bike Derbyke START
2025.08.29 20:00: End of the Balaton Bike Derbyke time limit. Welcoming the first finishers of the Balaton Bike Derby at the finish line.
DERBY
Registration for the 2025 Balaton Bike Derby is open until 2025.07.30. This deadline is necessary as most equipment orders need to be finalized by this date.
DERBYKE
There is no registration deadline for the Derbyke; on-site registration is also possible.
The start and finish location will be in Gyenesdiás.
We will start and finish at the Festetics Imre Experience Center.
This is an absolutely event-, child-, and family-friendly location, the only exception being that dogs are not allowed. You can check their website for information about the programs available at the venue.
During the event, Bikexpert will be on-site with the coolest Specialized bikes. Additionally, great food and drinks will also be available. We aim to ensure that as many of you as possible have a fantastic time here at the center
DERBY
The route plan for the 2025 Balaton Bike Derby is available above. Compared to last year, both the layout and the direction have changed – this year, we’ll complete the loop counterclockwise again.
The final course will be sent out to participants, and the version provided here is for informational purposes only. You’re welcome to use it for planning, scouting, studying, or preparation, but keep in mind that it’s not final. We don’t anticipate major changes in distance or elevation, but there will likely be some fine-tuning.
DERBYKE
The route for the first Derbyke is available above. For now, this course is shared as a draft and will only be finalized once approved by authorities/landowners, which is expected in the summer of 2025.
The final version will be shared with registered participants before the event and with on-site registrants at the venue.
Please note: The Derbyke course must also be completed using a GPS device capable of route tracking. The route will not be marked!
DERBY
At the Balaton Bike Derby, we will use the Follow My Challenge GPS tracking and timing system, which has been a staple in previous years.
DERBYKE
The Derbyke is a fun and relaxed tour. There will be no timekeeping – this is all about the experience!
Completion must be verified by collecting stamps in the unique stamp booklet provided.
DERBY
- Balaton Bike Derby 2025 cap
- Balaton Bike Derby 2025 t-shirt
- Hester’s Life energy bar
- Follow My Challenge Tracker
- Refreshments at least 2 points along the route
- A finish-line drink + meal (and the meal will be amazing, even at night!)
DERBYKE
- Balaton Bike Derbyke 2025 validation booklet (for collecting stamps at stamping points)
- Balaton Bike Derbyke 2025 sticker
- Hester’s Life energy bar
- A finish-line drink (meal can be ordered as an option at the finish line)
Camping is allowed in the start/finish area, with a fee of 4000 HUF per tent spot.
Additionally, there are numerous accommodation options available in Gyenesdiás and Keszthely to choose from.
DERBY
The finalization of the refreshment points is still in progress. Along the full route, you’ll have access to a minimum of 2 refreshment points as well as the start/finish station.
At the refreshment points, available 24/7:
- Event staff
- Water
- Snacks and drinks
- Showers
- Bike washing station
- Shade 🙂
DERBYKE
For the Derbyke, we’re preparing one refreshment point located on a beautiful hilltop 🙂 The exact location is still being finalized.
DERBY
Terrain: The Balaton Bike Derby route is predominantly off-road, mostly on wide, relatively easy-to-navigate paths. Only about 2% of the route requires advanced technical skills. Since this is not a race, many participants prioritize safety and simply dismount to push their bikes through these sections.
Climbs: The route includes around 10 short, steep climbs that demand significant effort. Beginner cyclists may need to walk their bikes on these parts.
- For pairs: Basic fitness is required. With the support of teammates, anyone with a suitable bike can complete the challenge. For more information on bicycles, refer to a different section.
- For individuals: Advanced cycling fitness is needed. To finish within the time limit, participants should be able to ride approximately 120-130 km per day.
DERBYKE
This is also an off-road route, and you’ll need to work for those stunning views!
- On a traditional bike: Recommended for those who have experience riding at least 80 km off-road.
- On an e-bike: Suitable for anyone!
Let me know if you need more tips for preparation! 🚴♂️
We recommend participating in the Balaton Bike Derby and the Derbyke with a bike that has tires at least 35-40 mm wide.
For maximum comfort, the wider the tires, the better. The most comfortable options are:
- A gravel bike
- A mountain bike
Both equipped with tires that are at least 45 mm wide.
This setup ensures stability and comfort on the mixed terrain of the event. 🚴♂️
PAIRS CATEGORY (ONLY FOR DERBY, NOT AVAILABLE FOR DERBYKE)
The pairs category is simple:
- One GPS tracker: Your team will receive a single GPS tracking device, which you must carry and complete the course with, passing it between team members as needed.
- Team tracking: On the event’s GPS tracking page, your team will appear as a single unit.
- Services and refreshments: Both participants can fully utilize all services and refreshment points.
- Start packages and finish gifts: Each participant receives a start package, but the team will receive one shared finish-line gift item.
It’s a great way to ride together and share the adventure! 😊
Yes, however, teams where at least one participant uses a pedelec e-bike will be classified as an E-Bike team.
In the case of participating as a pair, you need to designate a team captain who will handle all registration-related matters, including payment for the entire team. After successful team registration, the team captain will receive an email with instructions regarding any further tasks for the team members. You can find a more detailed description under team tickets.
If you are unable to attend the event, please notify us in writing at hello@klnd.eu, including your order reference number.
- Within 14 days of ticket purchase: We will refund 100% of the ticket price.
- After 14 days: Refunds are no longer possible. However, tickets can be transferred to someone else or rolled over to the following year.
Please note that we handle such requests exclusively via email. We kindly ask you not to initiate these requests by phone or in person.
