Romania 2018

Transylvania! A magic land, a region turned back in time that cannot be found anywhere else in Europe! We joined Cycling Romania (www.cyclingromania.ro) for a week of cycling on rolling hills and untouched idyllic pastures. We fell in love with the panoramic views, got to know wonderful and very friendly locals, ate delicious meals prepared in the countryside. We learned how villagers live and how the traditions are still being well kept in this forgotten European land. The route was aimed at nature lovers and cyclists with a medium physical fitness. It proved to be more challenging than we expected and we survived.

We learned many things about the Saxon culture in Romania. We visited old Saxon villages, almost each of them having a fortified church with an interesting story kept behind its walls. We interacted a lot with the locals, from cheese producers to weavers who are still using traditional tools. In this part of Transylvania the landscape is still untouched by humans. Several times the itinerary took us through dense oak forests and huge green pastures. Unforgettable food, entirely prepared by locals. Cycling Romania lead us on a unique cycling experience in a land that Europe hasn’t discovered yet!

We were supported by Mircea Crisbășanu, Marius Stratila and Alina Ene. Marius’s girfriend Ania Cujî joined us for days 2 and 3.

Day 1 - Prod to Nemșa

Prod, Valchid, Biertan (where David bought souvenir wooden spoons), Richiş (wine tasting and lunch), Moşna⁩ (bio farm and buffet dinner), ⁨Nemşa - Pensiunea Liana (overnight). The first three days of our cycling had us overlapping with another group of mostly Americans. This caused a bit of a glitch with accommodation... The original itinerary had us returning to Prod but actually we rode to Moşna where we visited a "bio" farm and had dinner, then everyone in the group except Helen rode on to Pensiunea Liana in Nemşa for the night. Helen stayed in Moşna and we sorted out the room sharing misunderstanding issue with Mircea that evening.

Day 2 - Nemșa to Apoș

Nemșa, Moșna, Zlagna, Ighișu Vechi, Bârghiș, Apoș, Villa Abbatis Equestrian Center (overnight).

Day 3 - Apoş to Prod

Apoş, Bârghiș, Agnita, Brâdeni, Apold, Saeș, Sighișoara, Rora, Daneș, Stejărișu, Prod, Cross-country Farm (overnight).

Day 4 - Prod Circuit

Prod, Dumbârveni, Viișoara (lunch at rustic country house and tour of garden and orchard), Zagăr, Ruja (Sean and David climbed the church tower), Prod, Cross-country Farm (overnight). Helen and Dennis had a rest day at the farm. For experienced road cyclists, this ride through a downhill, rough and rutted dirt track was a distinct challenge. We were briefed well on technique by Marius and everyone managed to stay on their bikes to the end. Unfortunately for David, when it was all over, his stationary bike slipped on the soft earth and bashed his shin causing an annoying gash where there wasn't much flesh.

Day 5 - Prod to Saschiz

Prod, Daneș, Breite Oak Tree Reserve, Stejărenii, Criș, Daneș, Prod, Cross-country Farm - vehicle transport to Saschiz (dinner at Charlie & Anna house, Pensiune - Pub - Restaurant- Hanul Cetății overnight).

Day 6 - Saschiz to Homorod

Saschiz, Mureni, Archita, Dârjiu, Petecu, Cața, Homorod (guesthouse overnight).

Day 7 - Homorod to Criț

Homorod, Rupea, Dacia, Viscri (UNESCO World Heritage village), Bunești, Criț - vehicle transport to Saschiz (overnight). Jeff and Sean did the extra segment through the forest from Criț to Saschiz.

Day 8 - depart after breakfast

After breakfast we posed for a final group photo with Mircea and Marius before piling into our mini-bus from Saschiz village to Sighișoara and onto Brașov overnight where we had an excellent last dinner together. The following day Dennis and David were dropped at Sinaia and everyone else returned to Bucharest.

Trip Photos