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!
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!
White Valley is one of the most iconic steep valleys in Bucegi mountains and a pleasure to ski it in spring conditions. Otherwise its pretty dangerous to be here on a full power winter and better to be with someone that knows the terrain pretty well and also do all precautionary test before heading into the valley.
White valley was the first step valley that we skied and it seams the last for this winter. We started the season with it and ended with it and it was beautiful. Always a pleasure to do some back country skiing in Bucegi Mountains because they are so beautiful and they have so much to offer in terms of ski, bike, hike and many related activities. And the landscape is just superb!
We leave you with some pictures and movie about our experience on White Valley and we hope that next ski season will be as good as this one! Cheers!
Last weekend we have been to Iezer mountains on our annual ski touring trip there. I think this is the 4th year that we made it here, and it is my 4th year of ski touring :)))… man, time flies so fast…
Each year was similar but somehow different. In terms of snow conditions, this year was a lot more snow and we had some pow in the first descent on the upper part near the ridge of the mountain. Being so hot all of a sudden, I don’t think it was 100% safe to try new lines or spots, so we stayed chill and shred the classic descent from the ridge directly to Iezer refuge. Maybe next year we will try a descent from the peak, that will be cool ;D. I remember last year I was feeling brave and took a climb just beneath the peak. My luck was that fog come and “ruin” my descent :))))
This year the ski party was made by me, Tiberiu, Nicu and Bogdan A. We started touring just directly from Voina Hut, that was a premier because none of the previous years had snow right from the parking lot… What a luck, otherwise we should have walked that stupid forest road until the shepherd’s hut in the alpin area where the forest stops.
It’s a long climb/walk to Crucea Ateneului, around 10 miles or so with at least 1250m elevation. We had great weather, sunny and no wind.
Once we descanted, we had some nice pow at the beginning and some crud later on.
The refuge is looking good, by our standards :D. The guys from mountain patrol are really trying to make it better each year.
We made 3 descents in the first day and then stayed in the refuge, talking and making ourselves some tee and some soup. Nicu had some digging to do in order to get some water. The guys from mountain patrol indicate us the spot to dig for water, thanks guys! It was a nice evening and we took some good night sleep. The sky was full of stars that night and the refuge was pretty warm because of the sunny day we had :D.
We slept like tired skiers :))).
Next day the sun didn’t show his face just until we almost made it back to our cars. We also took 3 descents and then a last one in the fog. At the end of the final descent the sun showed up but the snow was bad, pulling on our knees a bit to hard… it was like we had our skins on our skis :))). In the forest, we just found more heavy snow and sweet our asses off until we reached our car. We stayed to eat something at Voina and then drove our way back home.
The track from the first day you find it here. The retreat was on the same path as the ascent. We leave you some pics and an edit. Enjoy!
So this year I decided to visit Oslea and Valcan Mountains again, near Straja ski resort. Last year I took part of Oslea hike and ride contest that is organised by Red bull and takes place each year, here, near Oslea peak. This year I did not get a place in the contest, looks like its a very popular one, in like 5 minutes all places ware filled up :))), maybe next year.
But, I did something else, I have gone to do some backcountry skiing there, and it was B E A U T I F U L ! It was such a nice 3 days mini vacation that I am seriously consider to do the same next year. First day, being an 5-6h drive from Bucharest (depending when you leave), I’ve been to Straja ski resort. It’s been a while science last time I have been here (first year when I learned how to ski :D). Such a nice resort, like all the ones in the west. Now I really discovered it, finding the second chairlift was a blast, that is where the fun off piste skiing is :D.
After a day at the ski resort, we took our accommodation in Lupeni and went to technical meeting for the contest to learn about the snow conditions on the mountain :D. So they took the contest in the old place, not the one that took part last year. That means that part of the mountain will be all free :D. The snow was perfect and the whether to. The forecast showed clouds but the clouds ware around Retezat mountains that are near and a little bigger so we had like the perfect ski touring day as you can see it from the pictures :D. At the evening we went to the contest party to see who won :D. Big surprises there, places switched and I am glad that the freeride scene is moving on here in Romania.
Next day was powday. We made a track to the contest place. In the ridge of the mountain was 50cm deep pow! It was the best snow I have encountered science I start skiing, balls deep powder! Too bad we had to make only one run because it was the last day and we had to get back home. Oh well, till next year! I leave to you some pics and some short edits for better resemblance of this beautiful mountains. Enjoy!
This is a small retrospective of the last year in terms of mountain biking. Almost all footage is from Romania, except for a few seconds from Tour do Mont Blanc that we did in September. Awesome time riding here in RO and hope that this year will be at least as good as 2017. Check out this blog for more detailed content. Enjoy and ride safe!
Last Sunday we made it back to Ciucas mountains for a second ascent to the peak. We did this almost same track in the second day of the new year, in similar conditions :D. Ciucas mountains are perfect for ski touring. You have a south face that is perfect when it hasn’t snowed much and it’s a sunny day, you will have the perfect snow (but avoid the south part when is clouded, cold and windy. P.S.: It’s always windy in Ciucas mountains), and you have a north face that is perfect when it snowed recently, you have every chance to find some perfect pow there. Personally, I haven’t skied the north part of the mountain, but I can’t wait for a fresh snow to head back to Ciucas mountains.
This track was similar with the one from the beginning of the year, second and last descent ware a bit different but not so much, you have the track here, and bellow some pics and a video so enjoy and ride safe!
This one is from last weekend, best day so far this season. It was a close call, we were not so sure we wanna go to Lespezi peak but decided in the last moment and it turned out to be the best decision. It was the perfect day, the weather was as such that we felt the harness of the mountain because of the cold (-15 degrees Celsius) but also the beauty of it because of the bright sunny day and the beautiful pow that awaited for us on descent…
Lespezi peak is also called corporate Everest because it is an easy accessible peak from Fagaras mountains that happens to have a good height of 2517m. We took the ridge track that takes us from Transfagarasan road (Piscu Negru) and passes near a shepherd hut where you can sleep in the winter (1h from the road) and up on the highest ground till the very peak (4h from the road).
All the way, if you have good weather, you will have great view over Fagaras mountain range.
You can find the track right here, don’t mind the ending point, I forgot to stop the activity when we reach our car, but I stopped it when we reached Conacul Ursului where we had a great meal!
We leave you the video and the pics bellow. Until next time, ride safe!
The pictures and the movie are from Sunday. After on Saturday we stayed on the slopes of Valea Dorului (Sinaia, Bucegi mountains), on Sunday we said to our self that we have to take advantage of the beautiful weather and made some touring skiing to Paduchiosu’ peak. First we climbed on Varful cu Dor peak and made a descent near Vanturis waterfall, then we climbed on Paduchiosu” peak and then back to the slopes.
It took us almost 5h, with snack breaks, pictures and all inclusive. Nice touring day.
02 of January was the last day of my winter holiday so I tried to make it count :P. The snow on the mountains is not too present these days so I decide to go to Ciucas Mountains. It was a track that I made it 1 year ago (much more snow then). It follows the same climb as in Ciucas Enduro contest, Bratocea ridge, but in the place called “La Tigai”, you follow the peak track to Ciucas peak (1954m). The weather, at the start of the track was not that promising but in the last part, the sky open up and I had the most beautiful landscape view from the peak. We have a call here in Ro, the weather looks at a person soul and reflects it :D… just saying :P.
After the peak, I decide to make a descent on the first valley that you see when looking south from the peak. This takes you to the marked track that runs between La Tigai and Ciucas Hut, so it was perfect to do so. The snow was ok, a bit hard at the start, near the peak, but then spring goodness after :D. No risk involved.
After, I took the way back to La tigai and then follow the track back on Bratocea ridge to Bratocea pass where I left the car. Bratocea pass makes the passing between Ciucas and Grohotis mountains, we did a bike track on these to mountains that you can find it here :).
On my way back I did another short descent. There are many valleys on the south face, and on the north, not very steep, just perfect! The track of the run you can find it here and I leave you a short edit and some pictures to confirm my landscape affirmation :))). Enjoy and ride safe!
Last ride in many more frames, #ciocanumtbtrails at its best 🤘. Riding, crashing, laughing and having fun, This is what it’s all about, except the second word. Until next time, ride safe! 🚵♂. Foto credit: Cristina Ion 👍
P.S. next articles and movies will include snow ⛷🏔😎
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 😀
Vertical Riding Romania 