I am coming to Sofia and an hoping to be able to bike there ?

Well I've only been here a few weeks (and I'm a bit of a wimp) so I have no idea how long I'll be biking for but I know some of my colleagues cycle all year round. And given that most of us live fairly centrally and we work outside the ring road (so a good 10k cycle at a minimum) then it's obviously possible.

From what I've heard your biggest problem through the colder months will be the stray dogs. Right now they're too hot and well fed to be much bother (a few have run at me but nothing serious) but apparently they get pretty nasty. My colleagues carry spray. But it might not be so bad if you're only cycling a short distance and staying in the centre.

There's also some complete morons on the road but they'd be a danger if you were driving too and I've found most drivers to be pretty decent to cyclists.

Hi emelinevic,

Welcome to Expat-Blog

I have created a new thread as from your post on the Sofia Forum for better interaction

Thank you

Maximilien
Expat-blog Team

Hi there,

Yes you can, there are alleys in the Borisova garden park and around it. None on the Tsarigradsko shousse side but there`s a local lane there so you`d be fine.

@kaminoge
I have heard sooooooo much about the stray dogs in Bulgaria.

I am just new here so havent seen much of them. May be as you mentioned, i should wait for winter to understand why they are even mentioned in UK travel advice website

I've had a few scares recently. I'm cycling to work while it's completely dark and that might make a difference, I have a lot less hassle in the afternoons when it's light. Today I just bought spray to protect myself in case it's needed.

Today I just bought spray to protect myself in case it's needed.

What kind of a spray you use? Where can be buy it?
Thanks

It's some kind of pepper spray. I went to a rather scary shop called "Pro Hunter VIP". They have a wide range of guns/swords/crossbows/ninja outfits (seriously!) and many other things that looked dangerous but I have no idea what they were.

They also carry all kinds of sprays for animals (including bear spray) and for people (including the type that also stain your attacker). I'm not exactly sure what I got, I just told the guy what I was after and asked what he recommended I get. Hopefully I don't ever need to test it out.

(If you want the shop address just google, it's easy enough to find.)

Thank you all for your replies! I have already run the path from home to work a few times and it seems great for biking.