It was the first time that the Horseshoe bat rode a bicycle. The First Horseshoe Bicycle Race took place on 29th of April, 2017, between Piwniczna and Wierchomla in The Beskid Sądecki Mts. The Race was organised by the Tourism Information of Piwniczna-Zdrój. The PTPP “pro Natura” was one of teh co-organisers.

Piotr Firlej and Rafał Szkudlarek, who represented teh LIFE Podkowiec+ project staff assured many attractions to the participants, all of them connected to the Lesser horseshoe bat, absolutely! There were quizzes and tasks, brief lectures and comments about the key horseshoe sites, abundant along the route.

The safety of the cyclists was safeguarded by the Police and Mountain Rescue Service (GOPR), both institutions provided the participants with some hints on how to behave in the mountains and on the roads. The SKIDuet company instructed the bikers on bicycle emergency repair. The Radwanów Swimming Pools offered the cold bikers warm food. The Piwniczna-Zdrój Commune, Mineral Waters Piwniczanka and Ski Resort Two Valleys Muszyna-Wierchomla, funded the prizes for the competitions about the bats.

The toughies from The Nowy Sącz Cyclist Group cycled not only along the whole route of the Race. They commuted form their town on two wheels as well! The total distance for this group, ca. 80km, was close to Lesser horseshoe’s world record. The relocations of the tiny bats rarely exceeds 20km throughout their whole lives.

Next editions of the Horseshoe Race are almost certain.