Tag Archives: enduro

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

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!

Straja Enduro

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This year was the first edition of Straja Enduro, the last stage of the Romanian National Enduro Cup, #CNE, just 1 week after Metal Enduro Resita!

Man, 2 contest in 2 consecutive weekends, mad schedule, must to become an habit!

Straja is beautiful, we know it from the winter. Awesome slopes and offpiste skiing here. And close to some awesome mountains just perfect for back country, skiing or biking.

But, the contest was something else. The landscapes ware just perfect, with the fall and the golden trees! It was a photographic orgasm as you can see from the pics bellow!

And the trails are awesome, one in particular, Wolfe’s trail catch our site. It’s an natural long trail full of natural futures, roots, rocks, single track, off camber and anything in between.

The contest has 6 special probes and its quite a long day! Enduro!

Thanks again to Bike Attack Resita for making this second and last contest possible and to all the people involved in developing the bike scene in this area! Keep it up guys!

We leave you bellow some edits and the pictures that we ware talking about!

Also check out Bike Attack, Metal Enduro and Valea Jiului MTB Trails!

Finale Ligure enduro MTB trip 2018

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This year we swapped the EuroBikeTrip for an EnduroBikeTrip and the destination to conquer was Finale Ligure, Italy.

Known for its white sand beaches and its views, but more important for its infinite trail possibilities, Finale Ligure is located near the Rock of Caprazoppa, a steep limestone mountain on the southwest, and much of the town extends up hill slopes.

We find out about Finale from EWS, the enduro world series and after some quick search and some quality content that is out there, it wasn’t too hard to chose this year Eurobiketrip destination :D.

It’s flat out mtb trails are starting way up high in the mountains above Finale Ligure at around 1200m elevation and descending all the way down to the Ligurian Sea.

There are endless possibilities to descent (over exaggerating here but you wont be dissapointed), and the terrain is changing with the same speed that you are descending with :D.

In the upper part of the trails, where the shuttle lets you off, you have more grippy trails, with lots of berms and a bit more handmade work put into them. There you have the best of flow and you can carry speed on each corner. As you go down the terrain changes and also the vegetation so you have more rocky terrain, with sharper and more loose ground, a bit more natural and technical.

In less words, you have it all, maybe not much mud but who wants that :))).

And also you get lots of sun in this period so I wont call it the best period for riding those trails but if you want to combine a nice sea and beach vacation with a bit of awesome trail riding, this is the perfect location and time. If you only are interested in riding, you can go there in the off season, it will be cooler and you can do some nice climbs if you want.

We tried first 2 days to do the trails on our own power but the heath killed us so starting with day 3 we took some shuttles up the mountain. We did around 4-5 different trails per day and only in last day we repeat some of the trails we liked most.

We stayed there 6 days and spend another 2 on the road. We traveld by car, a group of four people from Romania to Finale Ligure and back. Its over 4000km trip and a bit hard to do it in one piece without an intermediate stop. Next time if we go back there by car I think we will make a stop in Sloveia to visit some bike trails there.

We initially wanted to go also to Sospel, France, which is 1.5h drive from Finale, and is another trail and enduro bike paradise but after we’ve seen what it’s in Finale, we decided too remain here and ride more trails, and do another dedicated trip to Sospel in the future.

So, the best trails we ridden in the exact order of awesomeness will be:

  1. Extasy & Isallo extasy;
  2. Iginerere;
  3. Toboga trail;
  4. Rollercoaster;
  5. Maria della guardia;
  6. DH men;
  7. Crestino;
  8. Sentiero H;
  9. Nato base;
  10. the others 😀

In terms of expenses, we could say that we spend around 500-550 EUR/person from witch we can detail the following:

  • 600 EUR for gas and car insurance;
  • 535 EUR for accommodation thru AIR BNB in Finale;
  • 150 EUR road taxes;
  • 500 EUR food and bavarage;
  • 120 EUR shuttle services;
  • 80 EUR our insurances.

In terms of riding, we probably ridden around 200 km of trails :D, but that is not even half of the amount of trail you will find there, so if you have second thoughts, we hope this argument killed them :))).

So much for the details and talk, we leave you bellow some evidences, video and photos so you could convince yourself. We will definitely go back there some day! For tracks and trails, just look up Trail forks by region Finale Ligure and you will find everything you need. For shuttle, just ask around Finale, there are lots of shuttle services all having the same prices ;).

Enough said, enjoy!

Ciucas amazing landscapes and awesome enduro singletracks

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Ciucas mountains have some amazing landscapes and awesome enduro single tracks if you haven’t heard about it yet. It’s also on our must do list of each year, and I think this year we will come again here when an event will be held to replace Ciucas Endro contest that was canceled because of the lack of implication of some parties…:(. But for sure we will come to the event because that means good people, nice bikes, beers and trails so you have it all in one place with this beautiful landscape on the background :D.

Ciucas mountains, as we also said in the previous post about Bucegi, they are also very friendly with ski touring and hiking and trail running activities. We did lots of trips here and cross this mountains in every direction but for sure there are more trails just waiting to be discovered here.

Until we come back with a different story abut Ciucas, we live you the pictures and videos bellow to better understand the beauty of these mountains!

Also check out this 2 articles for other riding ideas in Ciucas mountains:D: Grohotis and Ciucas XC to enduro and road trip , CIUCAS ENDURO 2017 TRACK PREVIEW.

Enjoy and ride safe!

Bucegi mountains, Strunga descent singletrack

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2 weekend back we did an awesome ride in Bucegi mountains. It’s a ride that we tried for the first time last year and we like it so much that we included in the must do rides of each year :))).

As you already know by now, or if not you will, Bucegi mountains are a small group of mountains in our Carpathian range of mountains. They are ideal for ski touring and bike trail riding but also for hiking, climbing or trail running. We prefer ski and bike, but, whatever you chose you will have the same beautiful landscape that surrounds you so check out the photos bellow.

We are trail hunters, as we like to call ourself :)), so we wanted to make 3 beautiful descent this day. We started in Sinaia, taking the cabin to 2000m altitude near Furnica peak. From there we descended to Padina on a beautiful technical trail. From Padina we have like 1h pushbike to Strunga cole from were we have a long, beautiful and fun descent to Simon village. It’s one of the most beautiful single tracks in Bucegi, a must do in each year. We will go back there in autumn, hopefully with a drone to catch more of its awesomeness :D.

From Simon we took the road to Bran and then straight to the mountains to reach Long Ridge, a trail that will take us to Busteni city, on the other part of the mountain. It’s an nice retreat with an beautiful raw single track that few know of its existence :D.

Check out the clip ant the pictures bellow to see why we use so much the words beautiful and awesome :D. For track just ask us in email, we have many tracks and we want to give you all the details. Also for more detailed videos and track check out this article from last year: STRUNGA AND MUCHIA LUNGA DESCENT 2017. Enjoy and ride safe!

 

Veliko Tarnovo enduro MTB trails, Bulgaria

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Last weekend we’ve been to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria to ride again the trails there, but this time was different. Why?! because we get to ride with the locals :D. And you know is best to ride with the locals, we can confirm this saying :))).

Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgarian: Велико Търново, “Great Tarnovo”) is a city in north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province.

Often referred to as the “City of the Tsars“, Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famously known as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old part of the city is situated on the three hills Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora, rising amidst the meanders of the Yantra (Source: Wikipedia).

Ok, so we’re gonna stop here because we have the important part and that is “situated on the three hills Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora”… 3 hills…downhills :)))

So we meet at Veliko Turnovo with the crew from Turnduro and Old Mountain MTB Holiday an did some laps on the trails there and it was sick. The guys really did put some work into some of the trails and you could see it right away and also they have some natural trails or sections that are just beautiful.

So, at this time we can name 4 of the trails, Rodopa, Garga, Ksilifor and Off camber trail. You can find some tracks with our rides here: Track from day 1, Track form day 2.

All of them have from 1.2 km to 2 km and lets say around 200m elevation. Ok, they are not to long and not to steep but its not downhill we’re talking abut and its not Enduro either, its FUNDURO :))). Yes the term is borrowed but we like it and its perfect to describe the trails there, and the guys we’ve been riding with there, Nedko, Petar, Constantine, Ivan and Portokal, cheers mates!

Besides the above 4 named trails there are others, we know 2 more but after discussing with Nedko and the guys we realize that you can stay there for a few days and have a great time and discover new trails, but the key is to ride with the locals :)).

We liked it so much that we think tomorrow we’re gonna go back there and shred those trails.

For more information about the trails you can also check out freerider.ro article at this link, or our article from the first visit there witch includes more videos with the trails.

Until next time, ride safe @ Veliko Tarnovo! Enjoy!

Ciocanu mountain bike trails late autumn ride

Ciocanu mountain bike trails late autumn ride with beautiful colors, friends, fun trails and a bit of rain. It’s all you need to have fun. We made 4 runs and on the forth one we took some pictures on the main trail. In first video you can see a second best trail :D, a nice one, wit a flow line that ends up between Bughea de Jos houses.

After the 4 runs we stayed in the village for a beer and some trail stories.

The season ain’t over yet! Ride safe!

CIOCANU MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS DAY AND NIGHT RIDE

Last weekend we have been to Ciocanu mountain bike trails, near Campulung, Bughea de Jos, Arges county.

There, you can find some nice trails done by the local riders community. There are a sum of 4 tracks there, that average from 2 to 3 km long and with an elevation between 300m and 400m meters.

Are dirt trails, with some nice features done to them, like small drops, switchbacks and some natural roots section. Because of the altitude (starts at 800m), and that all tracks run thru forest, they are a good alternative to a bad weather day.

There is no shuttle there or cable for that matter but there is a forest road that takes you right to the starting point of the tracks.

We did a day and a night descent there. It is nice to descent a track at night. It’s like the track is totally new, like you discover it then, way more fun than the day descent. So, when you get tired of doing a trail, try to do it by night, rediscover that trail :D.

Bellow you will find movies and pics from there, and at this link, an older article that includes track and other footage. Enjoy!

Grohotis and Ciucas XC to enduro and road trip

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Grohotis XC to enduro and road trip! Acesta ar fi cel mai adecvat titlu pentru tura din weekend. A fost prima tura in care am folosit toate pinioanele bicicletei mele enduro, chiar toate. Nici nu credeam ca pot sa ii dau cu 30km pe plat pe sosea :))) cui ii trebe cursiera :P.

Dupa Resita (Metal Enduro) parca vroiam o tura usoara, eventual ceva nou. Accidental am dat pe calculator peste un track din muntii Grohotis. Nici nu stiu de unde il aveam, probabil ca l-am salvat cine stie cand. Urcand trackul pe bikemap si cautand putin pe net, mi-am dat seama ca este ce trebuie, aproximativ :P. Trackul era clar de XC, o urcare din Valea Doftanei pana in apropierea varfului si apoi coborare inapoi pe un drum putin mai accidentat dar nu carare. Dupa mai multe negocieri cu colegii de tura, in speta Cosmin, am venit cu o derivatie, ceva mai hardcore a acelui track. Uite asa am ajuns sa facem 2 munti la pachet, in aceasi tura, si undeva la 90 de km cu ceva mai multa diferenta de nivel.

Planul final era sa plecam din Homoraciu, sa urcam in muntii Grohotis, sa ii traversam coborand in Bratocea de unde sa urcam in Ciucas si sa ii traversam si pe acestia pana in pasul Boncuta si apoi la final sa bagam si 20km de asfalt pana la masina. Practic incepeam cu ceva XC prin Grohotis, o dam in Enduro prin Ciucas si bagam si ceva asfalt in pluton pana la masina. Zis si facut si asa plecam noi de la masina dimineata pe la 8 in Homoraciu.

De aici se merge mult pe forestier pana aproape de creasta muntelui. Drumul este frumos si foarte putin umblat, ca doar deaia a vazut Alex 2 ursi de am rupt-o la fuga instant cand l-am vazut ca se intoarce in viteza spre noi. Am tras o spaima dar ne-am facut curaj si am continuat urland si facand ca toate cele doar doar sa se sperie ei mai tare decat eram noi deja. Dupa ce am urlat vreo 30 de minute de nu dureau gaturile, ajungem la capatul forestierului si incepe o usoara balaureala pana in creasta. Marcaj este dar se pierde rapid cum iesi din padure. In creasta dam de forestierul ce vine din Valea Doftanei si il urmam pana in Bratocea. Coborarea pe el nu este chiar plictisitoare, ai unde sa ii dai viteza si ai o multime de dropuri micute cu care te poti distra. La un moment dat devenise chiar scary din cauza vitezei :P.

Pe finalul coborarii, Cosmin reuseste sa taie cauciucul spate, exact inainte sa dam in DN1A. Stam sa il reparam si apoi ne indreptam spre celebrul pushbike din Bratocea. Daca exista ceva care ma face sa urasc pushbike-ul, pai atunci asta e. Te chinui sa impingi bicla printre niste braduleti care parca incearca sa te traga inapoi la fiecare pas….

Ajungem morti de sete si fara apa sus in culme. Stiti vorba aia, cere si ti se va da… merge, asa am facut si noi si am cerut apa la drumetii de coborau, altfel cred ca muream de sete pana la cabana :D.

Ii dam constant pe creasta pana la cabana unde ajungem la ora 5, insetati si morti de foame. Bem fiecare cate o cafea, o cola si o apa minerala si mancam ce mai avem prin ghiozdane si off we go spre pasul Boncuta. Distractia continua pe potecuta faina pana acolo, probabil cel mai fain segment al turei, dar deja cand dam in forestier se lasa intunericul si este chiar dificil sa il coboram mai ales ca este presarat cu muuulte crengi si pietre.

Intrun final ajungem la asfalt unde ne asteapta 20km de sosea pana in Homoraciu, de unde am plecat de dimineata. Se pare ca porcii astia enduro (la bicle ma refer :)))) sunt destul de polivalenti, am tras un pluton pe sosea si i-am dat o viteza prin bezna noptii … :D.

Linkul cu traseul, mai putin partea de asfalt de la final, il gasiti aici. In total, conform trackului lui Alex, ne-au iesit cam 93 km cu vreo 2700m elevatie, o gresala pe care nu o vom repeta prea curand :)))).

Va lasam mai jos filmuletul si pozele de rigoare si pana data viitoare, ride safe!

METAL ENDURO RESITA CNE 2017

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Foto credit: Mihai Lupsan

Metal Enduro Resita is the final stage of romanian National Enduro Chanpionship #CNE, and probably the coolest one, but don’t take my opinion for a fact because is the second and the same enduro contest that I took part :D.

As I see it, the stages from our #CNE (national enduro championship) are starting to look more like the stages from enduro contests in western Europe with 8 specials and 2 days of competing and awsome trails. Who wold not want more, more trails, more fun, more riding!

Metal Enduro is held in Resita city in SW part of Romania. It is an old  and industrial city that has his charm because of it. At one time it was consider to be one of the biggest industrial centers of Romania with big factories in steel industry and metal processing (Combinatul Siderurgic Reșița) and in motor and train factory (Uzina Constructoare de Mașini Reșița).

That is why, this stage is called Metal Enduro, and the name suits it well.

As I said, this is the first year that metal Enduro has 8 stages and 2 days. There are lots of trails here that are build and maintained by the rider community in Resita, that we are grateful to.

All trails are hand maintained and well build, they are narrow, dirt singletracks that have cool elements like switchbacks, drops, ramps and the best rockgardens ever :D.

All singletracks run from the top of the hills that surround the city thru a beautiful mapel forest and get down near city center where you can stop and have a beer after a nice flowy descent.

There are no chairlifts here, but the scenery is so beautiful and all singletracks have forest roads access that takes you to the top all the way on your bike from where you can brrraaaapppp your way down to beer :D.

The contest in the last 2 years was held in the middle of October, with stable weather and good riding conditions. When it hasn’t rained for over 2 weeks, the tracks are lose, and you can skid your way down easily but be careful.

If it has rained recently the tracks seem to become more grippy and you can ride faster.

All trails are shared between riders, trail runners or hikers. Here in Romania we do not have any grudges sharing the trail, just look up ahead on the trail, slow down if you see hikers, salute them and move on. The trails are not crowded, and there are lots of trails so you will have an nice continues descent.

This time I took one day off from work and reach Resita on Frayday. I managed to ride 5 of the specials then and I was as fit as I could be for the contest, to bad I had a cold that was fed by these 3 days of riding :). The thing is that, when you’re having fun and ride such nice singletracks you kind off forget about the cold and keep on riding. It’s not the smartest thing to do but who wants to miss 3 days of riding :))).

For me was 13th place in hobby category. This contest comes also as a confirmation of my riding skills and level and I get to ride some of the best trails along some of the best riders in RO so it’s an win, win situation for me :D. For contest I teamed up with the guys form BikePoint team, best team ever. They are the guys that organised BAISOARA ENDURO, another stage, and they ware the most fun team to ride along. I had a blast riding with them and lots of fun while transferring from one PS to another! Cheers guys and hope to team up again next year!

For now I can say that for sure I will be attending Metal Enduro next year to, and hopefully at least 2 other stages form #CNE.

Here are the track for the 2 days of contest: DAY 1 METAL ENDURO 2017 (25km with 1200m elev) , DAY 2 METAL ENDURO 2017 (35km with 1400m elev). You also have 2 pics bellow where you can see the tracks and the transfers on the map.

You can find more informations on event page here www.metal-enduro.ro.

Also you have pics from contest and 8 clips with all stages so enjoy and until next time, ride safe!

Best team #BikePoint
Nice drop on PS7 – Canada. Foto Credit: Otto
Rockgarden on PS6. Foto Credit: Mato Ioan
Start on day 2
End of PS4 and PS7
Rockgarden on PS7
Rockgarden on PS4
End of PS3
Ps 8 Poezie
#bikepoint
Gap on PS2 – didn’t make it :)). Foto Credit: Serban Barlau
Results after day1
Gear
like pros
Gear
Event T-shirt
DJ – rammstein on background 😀
Start
veloteca (sunn) team
training day
#bikepoint on podium

 

Tour du Mont Blanc Enduro Bikepacking Trip #TMB

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Tour du Mont Blanc Enduro Bikepacking Trip #TMB, an spectacular track that goes around Mont Blanc (4810m).
We biked around the tallest peaks in Europe that rises between green valleys and white glaciers.
We sow marmots all over we looked, big bearded vulture and ibexs.
We biked around 200km (80% rideable and 20% pushbike) in 3 countries and climbed over 8500m elevation in 5 days, 20% paved, 30% forest road and 50% singletrack !!!
If this not determined you to go on an adventure like this, then maybe the video and pics below will: D.
This is the intro that we had in mind from the start, and what we found there did not let us down :D. It was a trip to remember that just opened our appetite more for this kind of enduro bikepacking trips :D.

As we said, we biked little over 200km, between 32km and 57km per day and with elevations between 1400m and 2100m per day. We started in Courmayeur and did the trip clockwise as we advice you to do.

Trip Journal:

First day we passed thru Col de la Seigne and we slept in Les Chappieux near an abandoned house, after 37km with 1800m elevation and an awesome singletrack on descent. First day track here!

Seccond day we passed near peak Tete Sud des Fours thru Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, it was the highest altitude reached in this trip, 2537m. If the first day descent was flowy and very fun, this one was the most technical and challenging one. We could not do it all on our bikes. We biked around 32km with 1400m elevation and finish the day near Le Champel a little higher on the track. We slept in an abandoned treehouse. Seccond day track here!

Third day we passed thru Chamonix where we washed our bikes and bought some tubes. After, we passed thru Col de Balme and into Switzerland. We took a different descent here than the #TMB route, more technical and with lots of switchbacks, it was nice. We biked around 53km with 2050m elevation and stopped in Trient. Third day track here!

Fourth day we passed thru Col de Forclaz and Champex Lac. We slept in an abandoned animal stable  near La Fouly, after 43km with 1700m elevation. The singletracks this day ware nice, flowy but with rocky parts.  Four day tarck here!

Fifth day we reached again 2500m elevation in Grand Col Ferret and we passed back into Italy. Beautiful view here over Aosta valley and probably the nicest descent in the hole track, technical at start with beautiful alpine landscapes and then with lots of flow and fun. This day we biked 43km with 1800m elevation. Last day track here!

The hole track as we had it at the start of the route you will find in here, #TMB FULL TRACK, but we slightly modified it along the way.

Statistics:

  • 200km  (20% paved road, 30% forest road, 50% singletrack)
  • 80% rideable and 20% pushbike
  • 8500m gained elevation and descent
  • 2537 highest point 900m lowest point
  • 100% trailfun

Costs (starting Romania):

  • 900 EUR total expenses of the trip for 3 persons;
  • 580 EUR for gas and road taxes from Bucharest to Courmayeur and back (4000km)
  • 50 EUR for camping and car parking
  • 270 EUR for food, beer and other small stuff 😀

Equipment and stuff:

  • 1 enduro/trail bike – recommended 150m travel for more trail fun 😀
  • 1 backpack evoc fr trail 20L
  • 1 mattress foreclaz 550 gr
  • 1 sleeping bag milet baikal 750 gr
  • 1 bivouac bag 110 gr
  • 1 knife
  • 1 multi tool cranckrbrothers 19
  • 1 gas cylinder and burner
  • 1 fork and spoon
  • 1 knee protectors
  • 1 gloves
  • 2 spare tube
  • 1 sun cream!
  • 1 first aid kit!

Electronics:

  • 2 powerbanks in total 15000mah
  • 1 headlight
  • 2 GoPro cameras session 4
  • 1 garmin fenix 3
  • 1 phone with good camera (lg g6) and viewranger app having track uploaded
  • 1 mp3 player

Clothes:

  • 1 pair of bike shorts
  • 2 fast dry short sleeve T-shirts
  • 2 fast dry long sleeve T-shirts one wool for sleep
  • 1 wind stopper
  • 1 rain jacket
  • 1 light feather worm jacket
  • 1 pair of long trousers for sleep
  • 2 neck tubes (Buff)
  • 3 pairs of socks and underwear

Food from day to day:

  • sandwiches
  • 4 energy gels for entire trip
  • chocolate and energy bars
  • 1L of water in 2 bottles
  • coffee and tea for mornings and evenings 😀

*Not all fitted in the backpack so I had a bike bag on my top tube and the mattress was tied up beneath it.

Good to know:

  • Try to do this track off season, around the end of September. In season is very crowded by hikers and you may as well get a ticket for riding the hiking trails… do it in September and watch for good weather!
  • Wild camping is not generally encouraged, but is tolerated so be discreet.
  • Do not worry about food and water. There are many rivers along the way where you can refill your water tanks so don’t carry more then 1L of water. Regarding food, there are many locations (towns and villages) where you can buy food so carry food to last you the hole day and next morning.
  • We recommend to do the trip clockwise. It seems more fun and flowy but you can do it the other way around to :D.
  • Check your break pads before you leave. Long descents and heavy bikes will eat them alive 😀

Riders and content creators:

VLAD BOGDAN, PETRE PARASCHIV and BOGDAN ANDORA

Cabana Suru si Chica Pietrelor enduro singletracks

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Cum ar fi sa te trezesti de dimineata, sa iti bei cafeaua si sa mananci o ompleta buna, sa te sui pe bicla si sa ii dai la vale… suna cunoscut?! doar ca de data asta nu am dat la vale, ci la deal, pushbike vreo 2 ore :))). Hai nu 2 dar 1.5 ore tot am impins la ele, dar ce a urmat dupa, doar noi stim si voi o sa va faceti o idee din filmuletele si imaginile de mai jos :D.

Weekendul ce tocmai a trecut am facut o vizita la Cabana Suru si de data asta am si dormit acolo, fain loc, atat cabana cat si cabnierul nea Popa care ne-a cinstit si ne-a cantat la chitara pana tarziu in noapte :D.

Pana seara ne-am dat pe cararea de coboara de la Cabana pana in Sebesul de Sus, marcata cu triunghi rosu. Este una dintre cele mai faine coborari, portiunea de final, ultimele 5 minute is deliciul, un canion cu multe contrapante numai bun sa iti creasca adrenalina. Toata coborarea iti ia cam 20min cu tot cu opriri dar merita tot efortul. De urcat inapoi la cabana am urcat pe bulina rosie ce merge pe un forestier pana undeva sub cabana si apoi vine mama tuturor pushbikeurilor sau mai bine zis carrybike caci poteca devine dintr-o data foarte abrupta.

Ajunsi la cabana am inceput in a ne cinsti la un paharel de vorba cu nea Popa si apoi ne-am pus pe basculat ciorba si tocana proaspat date jos de pe foc. Am stat pana tarziu ascultand acorduri de chitara.

De dormit am dormit intr-o camera noua ce arata cel putin bestial :D. Dimineata ne-am bucurat de ompleta Suru care este de asemenea bestiala, am baut ceai cat am putut si o cafea buna si am fugit spre creasta.

Pana in creasta dar si acolo, vant puteric dar si soare cu putini nori. Odata ajunsi in creasta Fagarasilor am urmat traseul de creasta, dunga rosie, pana am dat de cruce rosie, chica pietrelor. Toata coborarea mi s-a parut bestiala, atat cararea care alterneaza intre tehnica si singletrack cu flow cat si privelistea ce ti-o ofera. Fiind capatul crestei, ai o priveliste bestiala pe un unghi de 180 grade cel putin! Poteca are si portiuni foarte grele, una chiar imposibila de abordat pentru noi, poate o fi cineva dispus sa o incerce dar nu noi, nu acum :))).

Este si lunga si te scoate intr-un forestier ce duce la manastirea Turnu Rosu. De aici inca 6-7km pana inapoi in Sebesul de Sus. Bestial traseu, recomand, mult mai ciclabil decat ultima bucata de creasta pe care am facut-o in Fagaras desi si aceea a fost cel putin spectaculoasa. Regasiti acel articol aici.

Mai jos va lasam materialul foto video iar linkurile cu traseele celor 2 zile le gasiti aici: traseu ziua 1, traseu ziua 2. Pentru gpx, just ask!

Pana data viitoare, ride safe and have fun!

2 days enduro trip in Piatra Mare and Leaota

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Cum ar fi sa te trezesti dimineata, sa admiri rasaritul de la altitudine, sa mananci o omleta si sa bei o cafea buna, sa te suii pe bicla si sa ii dai la vale pe o super carare?! in fine, si sa nu faci 2 pene in primele 5 minute :)))). Suna perfect nu-i asa? si este total posibil, noi asa am procedat si o sa repetam experienta asta prin mai multi munti de pe la noi, pentru ca se poate :D.

Weekendul asta ne-am dus in Piatra Mare ca sa verificam cat de faine sunt cararile de pe acolo. Indoieli nu existau dar pana nu incerci nu stii ce te asteapta. Cert este ca Piatra Mare este super faina de bicla si ofera 2 coborari super faine si distractive. Daca combini tura si cu dormitul la cabana care este de nota 10, iti iese un weekend super fain.

De urcat, am urcat pe Drumul Familiar. Daca sunteti puternici puteti sa ciclati destul de mult pe el… noi nu :P. Cu siguranta veti scoate un timp mai bun decat pe marcajele turistice. A fost fain ca am facut si un fel de trackwalk caci urma sa facem o coborare si pe familiar, si cu ocazia asta am si vazut pe unde se rupe poteca 2 din familiar a.i. sa dam in bulina rosie si in poteca tiganilor (familiarul este marcat cu dunga rosie).

Ambele poteci sunt super distractive si usor diferite. Poteca tiganilor este mai plina de radacini, putin mai scurta si cu portiuni mai abrupte.

Drumul familiar are de toate, de la rockgardenuri, la radacini la portiuni de viteza si multe contrapante pe care te poti suii in voie. Poate devenii foarte distractiv daca ai si putina imaginatie si stapanesti si bicla, la tot pasul gasesti chestii pe care sa le hop-uiesti :D, plus ca are tot felul de linii si variante pe unde o poti lua. Eu cred ca te poti da lejer pe oricare din carari de 2 ori in acelasi weekend si nu te vei plictisii… picioarele sa te tina. Noi am dat cate o coborare pe fiecare si ne-a placut maxim. Am si pus in caledar tura asta pentru to do-ul de anul viitor.

In rest, mancarea a fost super buna si cabana este asa cum imi aduceam aminte, foarte ingrijita, chiar una dintre cele mai dichisite cabane de pe la noi.

A 2-a zi, asa cum am inceput postarea, am mancat si ne-am dat, nu am stat prea mult pe ganduri :D.

Totusi, dupa 2 pene in primele 5 minute ne-am cam molesit. Am reusit intr-un final sa ajungem jos cu zambetele pe buze si fara nici o alta pana. De aici am fugit in Leaota sa mai cautam o mica carare care se zvonea a fi faina rau. Intradevar, este un segment interesant acolo, ce pleaca de la un schit, aveti trackul AICI, si care te scoate in forestiereul pe care ai urcat. Este cam cat o speciala de enduro si poti ajunge cu masina pana unde se termina coborarea, sau si mai sus daca vrei. Ca si recovery ride, eu zic ca a fost ok si daca o legi cumva cu o tura mai lunga pana pe varful Leaota, chiar merita!

Va lasam mai jos traseele (pentru .gpx just ask :D), materialul foto/video, cate un filmulet cu fiecare coborare si pana data viitoare, ride safe!

Link drumul familiar si poteca tiganilor Piatra Mare.

Link minisingletrail Leaota.

Enduro bikepacking in Iezer-Papusa

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Nu am putut sta departe de Papusa noastra asa ca si weekendul ce tocmai a trecut am revenit aici pentru o tura de 2 zile de bikepacking de cea mai buna calitate. Am zis sa ne pregatim putin pentru planurile viitoare 😀 asa ca am facut brigada de 3, eu Petre si Bogdan Andora si am dat o fuga in Iezer sa facem potcoava intreaga cu dormit la refugiu.

Am plecat pe la ora 10 si ceva de la cabana Voina unde am lasat masina si am urmat drumul clasic pe Portareasa, deja celebrul forestier de te urca la curcea Ateneului la aproape 2300m altitudine. Nimic spectaculos, poate numarul mare de masini 4×4 care ne-au umplut de praf si rudarii multi cu masini ARO sau Dacii papuc care tot coborau de pe munte si cum ne vedeau incepeau sa urle in toate felurile sa ne zica ca vine ursu sau sa ne intrebe daca ne-am oparit la oo :))))). Oricum, parca a fost fain ca am dat de ei, am mai ras putin.

A si era sa uit, ciobanii cu oile si magarii lor de ii tot vezi pe drum. Fara de ei peisajele nu ar fi asa de … mioritice :P.

Tragem agale la deal, mai impingem de bicle pe scurtaturi si uite ca deja la ora 5:30 suntem la refugiu.

Coborarea de la crucea Ateneului la refugiu este grea. Speram sa o putem da pe toata pe bicla dar, no way! sunt sigur ca merge dar tre sa stai sa o analizezi mai mult si iti trebuie ceva mai mult skill, mai ales la swithback-uri ;).

Ajunsi asa devreme la refugiu nici nu stim ce sa facem asa ca ne punem la masa apoi ne deschidem berile de le-am carat pana aici, dupa ce le-am lasat putin la rece si apoi bagam un pui de somn pana pe la ora 19 cad ne trezim fresh, gata sa fugim sa tragem o sedinta foto pe poteca :D. Super poze ce au iesit asa la amurg, stati sa vedeti.

Apoi mai stam la un foc si la un pahar de vorba cu colegii de refugiu si ne bagam la somn. A 2-a zi suntem matinali, la ora 7 in fata refugiului gata de pecare. Ne luam larevedere de la co-locatarii refugiului si de la catelul nelipsit si ii dam la deal direct prin caldare (nu mai urcam la cruce) ca este mai rapid si destul de ok pt. impins bicla. Dupa 30 min suntem in creasta si impingem mai departe pe langa vf Iezer si apoi pe vf Rosu de unde incepe oarecum si parte din coborarea noastra.

Pana acolo am avut ceva experiente, Petre a avut chiar una la limita 😛 din seria bails & fails sau mai bine zis demna de #failarmy :D.

De la Rosu pana la papusa tot cobori si urci si iara cobori fie pe singletrack fie pe pasune fie pe teren accidentat unde nu mai poti sta pe bicla. Cand ajungem la Papusa ne asteapta iara un ultim pushbike pana aproape de varf si apoi se intrevede coborarea noastra pe poteca pe langa stana pana pe Gradisteanu, Gainatu Mare si apoi dreapta pe marcaj prin padure pana inapoi la Voina.

Toata coborarea de pe Papusa pana la voina prin Gradisteanu si Gainatu Mare este super tare si destul de tehnica.

Daca sus iti permite sa ii dai viteza dar te iau mainile destul de rapid de la toate denivelarile, in padure terenul devine foarte tehnic bolovanii fiind foarte mari si trebuie sa ai grija. Are 2 portiuni de flow maxim, 2 portiuni abrupte si in rest teren tehnic si accidentat. Am facut-o integral pe bicla, ne-am mai si oprit sa ne odihnim mainile, dar, coborarea chiar e tare, merita si simti ca muncesti cu tot corpul ca sa o faci :D.

Mie unul mi-a placut maxim si am trecut-o in lista de coborari de dat in fiecare an… da, am o lista :)))).

Altceva nu ar mai fi de spus despre aceasta tura, merita facuta si daca sunteti mai pe zvac o puteti face chiar intr-o singura zi caci per total nu are mai mult de 60km cu 2500m elevatie. Se pierde destul timp cu pushbikeul dar daca nu mai coborati la refugiu, castigati ceva. Totusi, este mai fun asa la 2 zile si esti mai fresh pentru coborarea care chiar este faina. Aveti aici track1 din prima zi si track 2 din a 2-a zi iar mai jos materialul foto/video.

Pana data viitoare, ride safe and have fun while doing it! 😀