26 September 2026
Da Vinci Bridge — officially open!
On September 26, we gathered at Bike Park Rakovac, where the Blue and Red trails cross, with the Blue trail passing over the Red. This time, there was a special reason to get together — we had finished our Da Vinci Bridge, and it was time to open it together.
People started arriving from 10 AM. While the Bike Park crew welcomed everyone, Vađke from Selenča, our special kettle-cooking master, immediately got to work. The paprikaš slowly began to simmer, and before long, the smell was spreading through the forest.
The first guests didn’t sit around for long. Tools quickly changed hands, and the final touches around the already completed bridge began. The youngest ones, with help from their parents and older friends, built a few benches where future visitors can sit and take a break.
While the area around the bridge was taking shape, the kettle was doing its thing.
A little after 1 PM, it was time for the opening. Members of the Association’s Board thanked everyone who had contributed to the project, with special thanks to Jovan Blažić for his support and trust.
Jovan submitted the project proposal for Bike Park Rakovac to an internal employee competition at Yettel, through which we received funding for the materials needed to build the Da Vinci Bridge. From the initial idea, through the application and purchase of materials, to construction and the final opening — another small piece of Bike Park Rakovac has come to life thanks to people who believe in this story.
And then, of course, it was time to put the bridge to the test.
The first rides showed that the structure worked just as it should, while the wall ride at the very end of the bridge turned out to be a particularly fun feature. The bridge got its first rides, and the forest gained another new gathering spot.
Between 40 and 50 people passed through the Bike Park during the day. Some came to help, some to ride, some to hang out, and some for the paprikaš — but in the end, we were all part of the same day.
A big thank you to Mina Stojanović, who captured this special day in the history of Bike Park Rakovac through her lens.
The Da Vinci Bridge now stands in the forest, finished and solid.
One project is done. On to the next one.
Stay tuned. 🌲🚲
October 2025 – August 2026
Da Vinci Bridge
From a simple idea to a new symbol of Bike Park Rakovac. Da Vinci Bridge, carrying the Blue Trail across the Red Trail, was made possible through the combined efforts of our volunteers and the support of Yettel.
The project was proposed by Jovan Blažić as part of an internal employee competition at Yettel. Together with the Bike Park Rakovac project team, he prepared an application for funding. Out of numerous initiatives, our project was selected as one of three winners and received RSD 525,000 in funding.
Construction began on June 7, 2026. The most demanding stage was raising the main load-bearing arch, spanning more than eight metres and built according to the principles of a Da Vinci arch. Without the large number of volunteers who came together that day, it simply would not have been possible — the entire structure was raised by hand, through sheer collective effort.
The work was completed in August 2026, with the official opening scheduled for September, when the Blue Trail will finally reach its most striking crossing.
5 October 2025
bORbA vol. 03
The gathering was scheduled for 10 a.m., but this time the organizers were in for a surprise — a local crew of kids from Rakovac was already on site, ready to get to work. By the time the other volunteers arrived, they had already cleared the hiking trail from the SUBNOR memorial plateau to Beli Majdan Cave.
Once the whole team was together, we continued through the forest, clearing vegetation and improving and marking the hiking trail that leads from the cave, alongside the DH route, all the way to the top of Plana. Another action showed that the park is more than just a place to ride — it is a space we build together and leave for future generations.
As is tradition, a traditional stew (kotlić) was waiting for the tired volunteers at the foot of the hill. With good food, drinks and good company, another successful bORbA came to an end — just before the autumn darkness took over the forest.
March 7, 2025
Building the Dragon Bridge
Around fifteen volunteers, mostly young people, joined forces with a few experienced builders and plenty of enthusiasm, united by one goal — to build the first wooden bridge in Bike Park Rakovac.
All the materials were carried by hand several hundred metres uphill through the forest. When there are enough hands, even the heaviest beams don't seem quite so heavy. By the end of the day, the approximately eight-metre-long bridge structure was complete, and the sense of pride outweighed every bit of effort it had taken.
The project was made possible by Erker Inženjering, which donated all the construction materials for the bridge.
October 12, 2024
Red Bull Rampage Watch Party
In Novi Sad's Novo Naselje neighborhood (Bate Brkića 24), among the birch trees, we organized an outdoor cinema in collaboration with the NKN (Novo Kulturno Naselje) team. The evening featured the premiere of the local MTB film Freeride Decade by Jovan Blešić, followed by a live screening of the Red Bull Rampage competition.
Relaxed on bean bags and picnic blankets, the audience enjoyed a film that explores the local freeride scene through several personal stories. The evening was also an opportunity for the cycling community to connect, share experiences and spend time together.
October 5, 2024
bORbA vol. 02
Rain before the weekend softened the ground after months of dry weather — perfect digging conditions. Around 20 dedicated riders, diggers and nature lovers gathered at the second section of the Green Trail and completed another 50 metres of trail.
SUN Radio provided the music, Raša from Mesara Štrand prepared the food, and breaks were spent at an improvised chill spot made from wooden pallets. We kept digging until dusk.
September 22, 2024
Viktor JAM
The first official MTB jam at the park. The event kicked off at the bottom of the Viktor Red Trail, followed by four spots: Hip-Up and Long Jump, featuring trick demonstrations; a Best Trick session on Hippocrates; a timed Skinny Race through a series of tight turns; and finally, Ski Jump, where the longest jump of the day was measured at 17.8 metres.
Winners:
Best Style — Dušan · Best Trick — Denis · Race Hero — Dušan · Air Hero — Denis · Hero of the Day — Oliver.
August 24, 2024
bORbA vol. 01
The first volunteer action brought together 30–40 enthusiasts at the NOB monument in Stari Rakovac. While pots of meatless bean stew and goulash simmered away, the crew headed towards the route of the new trail — accompanied by a ShowMe Selecte sound system, homemade pastries, fruit spreads and craft beer on tap.
Armed with picks, shovels and hoes, we dug around 50 metres of new trail by noon, despite the tropical heat. The day ended with a shared lunch in the shade of the pine trees — both pots completely emptied.
The action was supported by HOG Brewery (Novi Sad), Mesara Štrand (Novi Sad) and Real Red (Bečej).
July 2024
bORbA — The Start of Our Volunteer Actions
We launched bORbA (Bezazlena Omladinska Radno-biciklistička Akcija) — a series of volunteer actions running from August to October 2024. The goal was to improve two trails, the Green and Blue Trails, and clear part of the forest of waste.
The idea was simple — to involve local riders in the development of the park and show the strength and solidarity of the MTB community. The actions were open to people who had never ridden a mountain bike before, because community involvement creates a stronger sense of connection and responsibility — and the long-term sustainability of the park depends on exactly that.
