Ciocanu Enduro First Edition 🤟

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And it happened. The contest was way earlier than this article 🤣👊 It was the second stage of the Romanian National Enduro Cup 2019, back in June, organized with the help of the crew from Bike Attack Resita that took the whole cup under their wing.

They picked up in each location a local organizer and here at Ciocanu MTB Trails they found us and Geo Simion, the godfather behind the trails here! It was a bit of a struggle to understand all that it involved, but looking back, it ain’t such a hard job. You need some planning, a week off from work and a good welded crew to help out. The trails did gain some customization for the contest but otherwise they were the same good old trusty trails that Geo built ;).

We had a bit of bad luck with the weather, I think it was the only contest that received some rain. The bottom part of the trails was full of mud, but what can you do about it?

The feedback was great, I think it was the first contest to reach 150 riders, full number of chips that we had for the contest.

The local people from Bughea de Jos were for sure impressed by the event and the number of riders that came in the area.

Next year we will make it bigger, better and maybe with less pedal sections 🤣👊 public demand 🤭.

So, for some more exact information about Ciocanu enduro, it has 4 special stages and a transfer segment that will be used to reach the starting area of ​​each route. Each special stage will have between 2 and 3 km and an elevation of about 300m.

First one is a speedway, low difficulty, for the riders to enter their paces and prepare for the next 3.
Second one, technical route, with many rhythm breaks and spectacular ramps. There will be exposed areas, with wide openings near the path.
Third one, similar to route 2 as difficulty, but the positioning is in a wooded area, especially beautiful, welcoming for tourists and spectators.
Forth one, it has common parts with route 2, which alternates fast and technical areas with lighter points, this is the latest route built in the area.
The main characteristic of the routes is their fluidity, making them accessible for any level of preparation. “BE FAST OR BE LAST!”

Also, check out the trail forks maps for the contest here.  This year, all contests have maps like this. It’s a smart thing because this way, you shoot two rabbits with one fire, the contest and putting Romania on Trail forks with some great trails ;).

We also had a donation box, where riders could donate used equipment to be given to the local kids in the area. I think next year we will put more thought into this idea :).

Until then, have fun riding your bikes and check out Ciocanu Enduro or Romanian National Cup next year. It’s awesome!

Photo Credit: Cristina Ion, Bogdan Vlad, Crina Elena! 👊🍻🤟

SHAPING THE SOUTH, STARTING WITH MEHEDINȚI ENDURO

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This year will be a year of firsts. First Mehedinti Enduro, first Ciocanu Enduro, first Semenic Enduro, first Ebike enduro contest and the list will go on.

The whole Romanian cup is looking pretty good and it’s all thanks to this people, Bike Attack Resita and the ones that they engaged in their youthful ambitions :D.

In this short movie you can see a glimpse of Mehedinți Enduro and what’s to come. Things are happening, good things.

Mehedinți is an area that deserves much more attention. If you pay some attention to this county you will find a place of tales not long forgotten and you will ride trails that tell stories…

For us is one of those magic places that we want to visit each year, a peaceful and friendly place. Good memories were built here and that made our bond with this place strong :).

Okay, now back to some more accurate information :D.

The contest was awesome, and all thanks to Alexandu Pufan and the guys from Bike Attack Resita! Cheers mates for making it happen, not just Mehedinti but the hole cup!

The 5 special stages from the first edition of Mehedinti Enduro are located on the Topolnite Valley, a very varied area from a geographical point of view, this aspect making each route quite different from the others.

The first route is the rockiest and longest (and also the hardest to reach, with a transfer of almost 7km), with several exposed and loose areas. Completely natural, this is in fact an old tourist trail brought to life on the occasion of the event.

On the other hand, the second special stage will be the shortest, but especially interesting. It will pass through the ruins of a fortress and descend along a natural roller coaster, and at the end a rocky and open area will be crossed.

The next two routes have the same starting point, being built from scratch over the last 3 years. Much easier from a technical point of view, they will probably be to the liking of bike parkers. Thus, the route no. 3 will test the skills of riders with several tens of berms, while the next one will show us who is best in the air, here being built the biggest gaps in the entire competition.

The last route, completed this month, is actually a combination of everything you have encountered so far. The technical areas alternate with the flow areas, including particularly tight switchbacks, straight portions of speed, drops and gaps, on unpredictable terrain.

The total distance to be traveled is somewhere at 28km, of which 8 are downhill, along the special stages :D. That sounds like fun right! For exact map of the contest trails, check out trail forks here :D. With this new format cup, Romania will appear on the map with some awesome trails ;).

This be said, make sure you don’t miss it next year because it will be better :D.

Cheers mates and enjoy the rest of the cup! Also check out this articles for more footage from the area ;).

Photo credit: Cornel Pufan

Straja and Parâng quality trail riding

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Ok, so we haven’t posted for ages, that’s true, but we hope to make a recovery this fall.

Somehow, the plans didn’t go exactly as we wanted and we sacrificed the writing for riding and working :P, but we have a lots of stories to tell and a lot more going on. Mainly we wanted to make an article about each stage of Romanian Enduro Cup, that was just sick as so far. This weekend is Harghita Enduro, you can read more here, and then final stop, Metal Enduro Resita.

Ok, that’s it for now with apologies, let’s say something more meaningful. This weekend we went to a short trip to Valcan mountains (Straja resort on trailforks) and Parang mountains, 2 places that we have never ridden on.

Man, it was a good choice because we found out some serious trails here.

At Straja, we knew the terrain from last year, from Straja Enduro, but we have only been there as photographers. This year we got to ride the place. Still sorry we didn’t manage to reach the contest but next year for sure we will not miss it.

Straja has mainly 4 trails, 2 at the top of the mountains, a bit more alpine and you can reach them with a chairlift or by peddling out, and 2 long descents at the bottom where you have a gondola to help you out. The gondola and the chairlift do not always work so is good to check it out before you head there.

There is also shuttle service but it has a minimum number of riders that gets it started, at least 5 so check this out too.

The 2 main trails, the ones that run both sides of the gondola, Lupilor and Baloo by their names are just sick! you really feel that you are alive when you ride them. Your arms to :))))

For accommodation if you enjoy a basic mountain hut with cozy beds, shower, a great view and oh yeah, a great host, please check Allma Pension ;).

After a fuzzy evening with the fellas, next morning we headed out to Parâng mountains after a quick breakfast at a Medieval restaurant in the center of Petroșani (P.S. very good omelet there :D)

In Parâng we took the chairlift up. It’s an old chairlift with no support for bikes. It’s something improvised so please take care of your bikes. Check out the way they put them on the chairs and put some protections for the frame, just below the saddle because they will hang out by the saddle. We used our knee pads for this :).

From where the chairlift lets you off, we headed for Parângul Mare peak. It’s only pushbike from here, or, if your name is Ludo May, you might be able to ride it out… not us.

After 3 hours of pushbike, carrying or hiking it, we gave up and headed back. It was a bit late, so we decided to head back early. It was a bummer but the descent from Cârja peak was awesome. Steep, rough, loose technical, a real jam :D.

Form where the chairlifts let us, we rode fox trail, that takes you back to the base of the chairlift, you can find it on trailforks.

Man, that’s a very nice trail, with a lot of flow! it is a bit obscured in the middle or at the end but it’s ok, just ask the locals for directions.

Overall, it was a nice weekend, really funny with quality riding. Check the videos and photos bellow to convince yourself :D. Ride safe!

SHAPING THE SOUTH, MEHEDINȚI ENDURO

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This year is the first edition of Mehedinti enduro, courtesy of Alexandru Pufan aka The Pufalot who has worked his ass off for us to have an awesome contest on the 12th of May here in Topolniței Valley, Mehedinți county.

Yep, this guy has shaped some awesome trails here and took the time to show us around. It is the second time coming here and we had the same feeling, being amazed of what this place has to offer.

The contest itself has around 27.5 km with and elevation of 1350m and 5 downhill stages varying between 1 and 2 km long. Here’s a description of them made by The Pufalot, on which we agree 👊.

The 5 specials from Enduro’s first Mehedinți edition are located on the Topolnița Valley, a diverse area geographically, making the trails quite different from each other.

The first trail, La Muerte Peluda, is the rockiest and the longest (and the most difficult to reach, with a transfer of nearly 7km), with several exposed and inadequate areas. Completely natural, this is in fact an old touristic trail brought back to life with the occasion of the contest.

On the other hand, the second special PS2, Imagination land, will be the shortest but most interesting. It will pass through the ruins of a fortress and will descend along a natural carousel, so that in the end it will pass through a rocky and open area.

The following two, PS3 and PS4 have the same starting point, being constructed from scratch over the past 3 years. Much easier from a technical point of view, they will probably please those who prefer more of a bike park type of trail with lots of berms and jumps.

PS3, Stevie Nicks will actually be a berm skill test for the riders, having a dozen of berms, while the next one, PS4, Blame Canada, will show us who is best in the air, building the biggest gap in the competition. And yes, this guy’s a South Park die hard fan 🤣🤟.

The last trail, Taming Strange, completed this month, is actually a combination of everything we’ve ever met. Technical areas alternate with flow paths, including very tight switchbacks, straight-forward portions, drops and gaps, on unforeseeable terrain 😳.

Hope these words made you an image of what to expect, and if not check up this edit that we made from our first day of riding here.

Second day we took a short trip to Herculane baths to check up some sick exposed trails that we will be uploading soon on youtube. Besides this we will upload all 5 contest trails in the next days so stay tuned on VRR youtube channel 🤙.

Also, you can find the complete map of the contest here: MEHEDINTI ENDURO ON TRAILFORKS! 🚵‍♂

Yes, it was a sick weekend and all we have to say is that we can hardly wait for the contest and to come back here to check out more trails. For sure in autumn we plan another trip here, there are so much more trails to be ridden.

This guy is actually shaping the south of this country! Cheers mate! 🍻

P.S.: Remember 12 mai 2019 – Valea Topolnitei.  Photo credits: Alexandru Pufan.

You can also check out this article about Mehedinti county: MEHEDINTI FTW

WHITE VALLEY SPRING SKIING

WHITE VALLEY SPRING SKIING

Maybe this was the last run of the season, and what a season it has been. Great snow, great touring days, great slopes and great friends. One to remember with lots of new places discovered and new things learned. That’s most important, always to learn something, never to settle for less. Another one added to the pile of memories. Cheers mates! ⛷❄🍻

HAPPY SKIER FACE

LESPEZI PEAK SKI TOURING DAY

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This one has to be one of the best ski touring days of this season. Second time I have been on Lespezi Peak, both on skis. This beautiful 2.5k peak is also known as Corporate Everest because of its shape and relatively easy access even in winter conditions, making it pretty crowded…😅❄⛷

It’s a nice peak that offers a terrific view over Făgăraș mountains range. As you climb you can see the whole south valley of Transfăgărășan road with great peaks on each side and when you reach the top you can see Negoiou peak and Călțun lake with the great Călțun wall in all of its steepness…

As a descent route you can either go back the way you climbed, or get back 100m elevation and then enter the valley beneath the peak, or, if conditions are good, as we catch them, you can enter the valley almost directly from the peak on one of the ridges (almost spines) that forms underneath the peak.

Either way, check the conditions and get all information.

For us, was a great climb, a little windy, and a wonderful descent on a sunny afternoon.

For sure we will try it next year too. Cheers and ride safe! Enjoy!

CIOCANU MTB TRAILS FIRST RIDE 2019, CIOCANU ENDURO

First ride yesterday @ciocanumtbtrails, Bughea de jos, Campulung.

Looks like the season has started exactly where it ended 🍻🚵‍♂👊. Nice to be riding my bike again. Cheers mates and hope this year will be at least as good as the previous! Ride safe!

BARCACIU SKITOURING, BARRYVOX LIMITED EDITION

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BARCACIU SKITOURING, BARRYVOX LIMITED EDITION.

Last weekend we managed to reach Barcaciu mountain hut in Fagaras Mountains. It has become  tradition to go ski touring here each winter. Barcaciu is holding an event, each year around this time, event aimed to promote the ski touring possibilities in this area of Fagaras Mountains. We could not be present at the event so we decided to go 1 week earlier and make our own limited edition of Barcaciu Ski Touring, Barryvox Edition 🤪👊🍻.

It was a full weekend and did almost everything that we wanted in terms of ski touring. This winter really delivered big time. We had some top score powder and some good weather with no wind. A little problem with visibility on Sunday but we managed anyway. Because of the great amount of snow this year, the couloirs are very generous, larger than before and you can descent greater. But all this comes with a risk and you have to be cautious and know your way around the area. We did some cool descents in powder and on Sunday we played a little with some equipment from Mammut that Mihai had for testing and presentation. Cool stuff, light but reliable equipment as I have seen so far.

After making a snow profile and fool around with an avalanche backpack, we did a classic descent in Puha Valley.

Overall it was, as I said, a full weekend and we now have some fresh memories of Barcaciu to last us for a while.

As one said to me, you never regret going, so, go explore! Ride safe!

GROHOTIS MOUNTAINS BLUEBIRD SKI TOURING DAY

Last Sunday we got lucky in Grohotis mountains, near Ciucas. This place has so much to offer, just this year I really got it :D. Bluebird day and some fresh powder in the mix. I was pretty tired but as one said, “you never regret going”… cheers mate! Enjoy, ride safe and have fun!

Ciucaș MOUNTAINS BEAUTIFUL SKI TOURING DAY

Made it to the top! 4th ski touring day in Ciucaș mountains has been great. No more fog, just a perfect sunny bluebird day, great for pictures and with corn snow and hard pack on descent.
Enjoy and ride safe!

PHOTO CREDIT: ALEX BRENDEA

GROHOTIȘ AND CIUCAȘ MOUNTAINS SKITOURING BAR AND GRILL

Short ski touring trip in Grohotis and Ciucas mountains with happy ending… not what you think, just a bbq in an old wrecked hut. Enjoy and ride safe! ⛷❄🚠💙🍻👊

Ski de tura, inconjurul crestei Gropsoare – Zaganu

“Inconjurul crestei Gropsoare – Zaganu, de la Cheia peste culmea Buzoianu spre Poiana Stanii apoi spre pasul Boncuta – Curmatura Stanii- saua Chirusca – valea Berii – Cab. Muntele Rosu – Cheia. Unii au mai dovedit un Zaganu si seara, acasa…asa la reconstituire…” – Lucian Marculescu

Best trail in Iezer mountains

Best trail in Iezer mountains, this is it! no doubt about it!

You have to work a bit to reach it but when you start your descent, the view, the trail itself, the flow makes it perfect. We did this trail twice this year, first in the rain and next in a sunny late October day and we had the same amount of fun in both conditions 🤩. So, no matter the weather, this trail will be perfect. Just remember on the 3-4 h uphill that the best descent awaits you and you will not feel tired. Check out the other ride in the rain here, video included 🤙.

We leave you some nice footage below. Last pictures are from Ciocanu MTB trails where we took a ride the next day. Enjoy! 🚵‍♂⛰👊

Hardtail love in Leaota Mountains

Last week we took an late autumn ride in Leaota mountains. I promise Cromo that I will show him the mountains and that I did. Lucky us we catch a superb day, cold but very beautiful with clear sky and and billion dollars sunset 😍.

This was my first time in Leaota mountains, and we ware both lucky. Wild mountains with rough technical trails. Loving it!

We leave you some pics and an edit, and you can find the track here. Enjoy! 🤙

Transilvania bike trails casual ride

This is how a casual ride on Transilvania bike trails (TBT) near Viscri and Crit looks like.

This year we visit 2 times this trails because they are just superb. Mellow trails with ups and downs in a beautiful forest near some old historical villages where you can find great accommodation and food. You could not ask for more believe me.

We strongly recommend you to stay at Agrotouristic Guesthouse Elena, in Crit village. Man, the food is fantastic and the hosts too. Friendly people with nothing to care but their guests. We eat so much and so good that we had to roll out of the beds to reach our bikes :))) Seriously!

And what goes well after a good meal? We tell you, a good single track thru the forest that ends up in an orchard of pears and nuts! Perfect combination! After this we stopped at the local pub (birt) to have a beer with the locals. Always an animated experience.

No more words just pictures now. Hope we given you a good idea on how to spend an weekend there. The tracks you could do are these:  Track 1 , Track 2. Enjoy and ride safe! 🚵‍♂🍻👊

 

Iezer Mountains awesome over 1000m descent

This video is from a few months back when we did an awesome descent in Iezer-Papusa mountains, probably the coolest there is there. There are lots of trails but this one is the best here and its very long, over 10km and over 1000m of descent :D. For more info about this trail or other trails in Iezer-Papusa mountains, also check out this: Iezer-Papusa Enduro Singletrack or this Enduro bikepacking in Iezer-Papusa :D. Enjoy the video and ride safe! Link to track here!