Some people consider Brno to be a bike-unfriendly town. It is not true. Brno certainly isn’t Copenhagen, but you can enjoy utility cycling and bicycle touring as well.

Map of trails

A handy map of segregated cycle facilities has been published on the official web page of Brno:

There are two main paths, going alongside the two rivers of Brno: Svratka and Svitava. You can also bike around Brno. Sadly, the paths are sometimes interrupted by crossroads and other obstacles.

So, you want to commute by bike

Great idea, but you should know about some risks:

There is not enough segregated cycle facilities in Brno. You will probably have to bike on public roads used by cars as well. Sadly, Czech drivers are not used to deal with bikers – so allways be prepared to use a brake and the middle finger.

There is not enough bike lockers, parking stands and bicycle storage racks in the public buildings. It is quite dangerous to leave your bike locked to some construction in the street – there are more bike thieves than in the 1940s Italy :-/

Brno is quite hilly. Be sure you can take a shower in your company or your school.

Finally: remember that it is illegal to ride a bike under influence of alcohol in the Czech republic! Drinking and bicycling can result in a fine of CZK 50,000 (€1,870) and what is more, you risk one-year prison sentence! (However, I have never heard about a single person fined by police for biking under influence. It is quite common to have a refreshing beer somewhere in the middle of your journey. I wonder if there is any other nation with so huge disrespect to its own laws.)

Smoking while bicycling is illegal as well. Remember that you have to walk (not ride) with your bike in the historical centre, on pavements and over crosswalks.

So, you want to bike on weekends

Biking is one of the best recreational sports for people living in Brno, because the town is surrounded with nice, clean nature.

Do you hate biking to long hills? Have a nice ride alongside the banks of Svratka. You can start in the western part of the town and bike southern direction, finally leaving the town and going to the pretty lowlands of the southern Moravia. If you feel like two day bike, continue to Vienna!

Do you enjoy mountain biking? Try the woods located in the northern and the western part of the town.

Want to explore the Tuscany-like atmosphere of the southern Moravia? Then get a train to Břeclav (you can even hire a bike in Břeclav), Hrušovany u Brna, Vranovice, Popice or Březí and explore the famous biking paths leading trough wineyards.

Spring is here! Get on your sneakers and enjoy this guide to parks and trails.

Wilsonův les

Named after the 28th president of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, this park was found in the 1920s. It has became one of the most popular and biggest parks in the city.

Pros:

• Close to the centre of the town.
• The park is located next to the most luxurious quarter – if you get out of the park, you can continue running between nice villas while thinking about your career :)

Cons:

• The paths are paved with dogs’ shits. This will make you think Czechs are soooo 1600s.
• Some of the paths are muggy and dead-end.

Map

Zvětšit mapu

The banks of Svratka

Flowing south from the Brno dam to its confluence with Svitava, Svratka is one of the two biggest rivers in the area. There is a nice “bio-corridor” on its western bank, with a paved road for runners and bikers.

Pros:

• There are some interesting things to see around the track, such as the shanty town “Kamenná kolonie”.
• Cool fresh air, thanks to the river.
• The route is almost flat – great for beginners.

Cons:

• The track is sometimes interrupted by roads.
• Some parts of the track are crowded on sunny weekends.

Map (note the river flowing south in the left third)

Zvětšit mapu

Holedná and Hobrtenky

If you are living close to quarters Kohoutovice, Bystrc or Jundrov, don’t miss the great opportunity to jog among wild goats and other cute fluffy animals. There is a huge wildlife reserve located at the hills called Holedná and Hobrtenky. Just don’t let your dog frighten the game.

Pros:

• Unique locality.
• Privacy – this place is unknown even to many life-long residents of Brno.
• A great place for nordic walking.

Cons:

• Prepare for hills, hills and – hills.

Map

Zvětšit mapu

Bílá hora & Stránská skála

Now let’s go to the eastern part of Brno. Stránská skála is a huge rock that has been used as a dwelling by primaeval men and as a gun-factory by Adolf Hitler. Bílá hora is a nearby hill with (in my opion) the greatest view over the town (pictured above).

Pros:

• Huge green fields to run over.
• Great views.

Cons:

• There are two large factories built between the two hills. Shame!

Map

Zvětšit mapu

Hády (aka Velká Klajdovka)

Finally, a huge nature reservation in the northeast part of the town. There are 10s of kilometers of nice tracks, so your cardio won’t ever be boring again!

Pros:

• If you feel like a 10k run, 20k run or the marathon, the forrest is big enough.

Cons:

• It’s maybe too far from the town’s centre.

Map

Zvětšit mapu

General advices

Don’t be afraid to explore new trails. Generally, there are no dangerous or polluted zones in Brno.

Dog owners often don’t control their “pets” and don’t clean the mess left by dogs. I know this is a problem, but I do not have any solution or advice. Just be patient.

Anytime you go jogging, use a repellent to prevent yourself from being bitten by a tick.

And finally – enjoy the fresh air!

These concerts, festivals and sport events will be just great.

Bonjour Brno

March and April

www.bonjourbrno.cz

Belive it or not, even the French culture needs to be advertised. That’s the point of this festival, bringing French movies, music and even sports like pétanque to Brno.

Ignis Brunensis

May 23rd – June 6th

www.ignisbrunensis.cz

If you like fireworks, be there. Period. The competition attracts the best performers from Europe every year, and also some 200,000 visitors. Don’t be afraid: the banks of Brno dam are large enough.

Ignis Brunensis also means many other events – concerts, exhibitions, parades. It is a huge two-week celebration and I love it. Check out the complete programme!

Autosalon Motor Show

June 6th – June 14th

www.bvv.cz

You’ll be able to see the future of the automotive industry right at the Exhibition Centre.

Concert of Lenny Kravitz

June 19th

ticketpro.cz

American Woman will stay away from the pop icon at the Velodrome.

World Superbike Championship Race

July 24th – July 27th

automotodrombrno.cz

Max Biaggi, Carlos Checa, Yukio Kagayama – ever heard of them? Some people prefer Superbikes to Moto GP because of the not-so-official feel of the races. And the tickets are also cheaper.

10th International Musical Festival Špilberk

August

filharmonie-brno.cz

Famous works of classical music, played by great interprets at the Špilberk castle – this is one of the unforgettable things you can experience in Brno.

Grand Prix of the Czech republic

August 14th – August 16th

automotodrombrno.cz

The biggest sport event in the Czech republic in the terms of visitors: 240,000 fans came to the Masaryk Circuit last year, despite rain. The atmosphere is just fantastic every year, so if you like motorcycles, give the event a chance.

Czech Internetional Air Show

September 5th – September 6th

airshow.cz

If you can tell a reverse half cuban eight from an inside loop, you will love this show.

The wonderful headline photo was taken by Adam Pniak last year. Visit his gallery!

The metropolitan police has anounced that the ice at Brno Dam is 15 cm (6 in) thick and ice skating is quite safe.

The ice is still dangerously thin between Rokle and Veverská Bitýška (in the western part of the dam, around Veveří castle) and around the damming. It is recommended to skate in the very southern part of the dam.

Brno Dam is located in the north-west part of the town and is reachable by tram lines 1, 3 and 11 (stop Přístaviště, distanced 26 minutes from the main station).

View Larger Map

If you are a fan of motorcycle racing, don’t miss the first presale period of tickets to the Cardion ab Grand Prix 2009 (held on 8/16 at Automotodrom Brno, aka Masaryk Circuit or Masarykring).

Until 2/28, the tickets for the whole racing weekend can be bought for the lowest possible prices. A great place on the finishing straight is worth €100, low-budget ticket to the banked areas is worth €42. I think the most interesting thing is it the price of a junior card for kids born between 1995 and 2002, which is only €7.

Check the complete price list (the tickets can be ordered online at the same site) and a detailed map of the circuit.