OVERVIEW
HIGHLIGHTS
ACCOMMODATION
GETTING THERE
PACKING LIST
FAQs
OVERVIEW
Come ride this fascinating corner of South East Europe full of pretty villages, picturesque castles, rolling hills & friendly locals. Far from the beaten track, this 4.5 stage gravel ride explores the real Romania with epic riding by day and evenings spent with friendly locals in rural villages.
The riding takes us onto some stunning, smooth gravel, quiet back-roads & off roading on wide hard packed grass trails and epic singletrack through remote forests.
The terrain is varied with some rolling hills. Each stage is fully supported with regular checkpoints so you can ride at your own speed and is suitable to anyone comfortable riding consecutive 100km days.
Included in Ride Package
Accommodation
5 nights in charming, family run hotels. Choose private single, shared twin (2 beds) or shared double (1 bed) rooms.
Airport Transfers
Fly into Cluj (CLJ), our team will be on hand to collect you & drop you back off on departure day.
4 Epic Stages
Fully supported rides with guides leading small groups, van support & regular feed stops with a warm up ride on arrival day.
Meals
Bring some money for drinks but our package includes 5 dinners, 4 lunches & 5 breakfasts.
Regular Stops
Regular feed stops approx every 30km with lunch stops in beautiful local cafes / restaurants.
Luggage
We move your overnight bags from hotel to hotel each day and provide a day bag to collect at lunch.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED: Flights, Insurance (mandatory), Drinks with lunch & evening meals
REAL RIDER REVIEWS
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John DoeCEO 
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John DoeCEO
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ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrival in Cluj, transfer to Cund (transfer takes approx 2hour). Warm up evening ride of 9km to make sure legs & bike are in good condition for bigger rides to come.
DAY 2
Stage One: Cund to Viscri- 94km, 1650m elevation, 60% off road
DAY 3
Stage Two: Viscri to Tălișoara - 95km, 964m elevation, 65% off road
DAY 4
Stage Three: Tălișoara to Sighișoara - 108km, 882m elevation, 55% off road
DAY 5
Stage Four: Sighișoara to Cund - 112km, 1445m elevation, 50% off road
DAY 6
Departure day, transfer back to Cluj.
*Most of the on road sections are on either dedicated bike paths or quiet country lanes. We spend almost no time on roads like home. Due to the nature of gravel riding, the routes may change based on weather / trail conditions.
RIDE HIGHLIGHTS
TRANSYLVANIA GLORIOUS GRAVEL
Our route takes in a mix of old country lanes (still gravel), tarmacked back roads and singletrack with epic views throughout.
LOCAL CULTURE
Each evening is spent in family run hotels serving excellent local food and wine. The villageS give a fascinating insight into rural Romanian life.
fIT FOR A KING
Our second night is spent in the Saxon village of Viscri where King Charles III owns property and has supported a revival of traditional crafts.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Accommodation
This ride is set in rural Transylvania and some nights we stay in small villages with not a massive amount of tourist infrastructure. This is part of the appeal of the ride but please set expectations accordingly (not all rooms will come with a Corby Trouser Press!) Our hotels are all family run and range through the week from comfortable to lovely. One of the hotels has a nice wellness centre but the real star of each property are the friendly staff who are very excited to be hosting this event.
Bike & Tyre Choice
The ride takes in a mix of gravel roads, agricultural tracks, tarmac, and some off-road sections on dirt/grass. It is ideal for gravel bikes with all-rounder tyres (38mm plus) that will roll well on the back roads but handle the grass tracks and potential mud (Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M is our favourite). The route is hilly and includes some technical sections so we would recommend at least a 1x1 gearing ratio. There may be some ‘hike a bike’ sections. These will generally be short. We have spare inner tubes, lube, track pumps & CO2 at all the feeds. If you need anything specific for your bike please bring it with you. We recommend bringing a spare rear mech hanger for example as these are very bike-specific. It’s also a good idea to get your bike serviced a few weeks before departure to avoid any surprises. There will be a bike wash available at the end of each stage.
weather
We choose time of year for our trips to coincide the with best riding weather. We should get warm sunny days but mornings & evenings can be fresh so knee & arm warmers will be useful as well as normal layers (gilet, wind-proof jacket etc). We don’t go high in the mountains so we are unlikely to get extreme conditions.
Terrain
As we take in such a large part of this country, we can expect a variety of gravel throughout the ride. The terrain is a mixture of gravel roads, farm tracks, dirt roads and some incredible flowing single tracks through open forests. There are some technical off road sections each day. A good level of off road gravel riding experience is preferred.
Food
In the evenings we all eat together at the hotel or in a local restaurant. Please let us know before the trip of any special dietary requirements, so we can cater to everyone’s needs.
7 UNMISSABLE HIGHLIGHTS IN TRANSYLVANIA
NUMBER One
Zajamniki - rural alpine life
Up on the Pokljuka plateau, deep in the Julian Alps lies the picture postcard village of Zajamniki.
This village is spread out on a long line of shepherd huts with stunning alpine pastures all around and gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. One of the highlights of stage two and worth the long climb up here.
NUMBER TWO
Lakelife: Bled & Bohinj
Probably Slovenia's most famous draw to international visitors is Lake Bled but just up the road is possibly and even more beautiful spot at Lake Bohinj.
Both are small lakes surrounded by mountains, Bled has a church on an island in the middle. We get a chance to swim in both and see the lakes from up close and from afar when we get onto the plateaus.
number three
Rural Slovenian Gravel
Slovenia is a country of 2m people but regularly produces world class rowers, climbers, skiers & cyclists and when you get here you realise why.
The country really prioritises outdoor activity and there is a huge network of bike paths and masses of very well maintained gravel trails going into remote and stunning areas.
Number Four
Kranjska Gora & the Julian Alps
We start our Slovenian journey in the north west corner with Austria & Italy a short ride away. This region looks a bit like the Dolomites with some stunning rock formations.
As there are so few people living in Slovenia, it doesnt take long to get away from the ski resorts and into some amazing mountain scenery. Our prologue takes us over a river, past a lake and through glorious alpine meadows.
Number five
The Soca River
Flowing between north west Slovenia and Italy, this turquoise river is our companion for the first half of stage three.
The river is very popular for fishing, kayaking and swimming with a number of natural beaches. It was also the sight of major WW1 battles & this region has a fascinating history.
Number six
Forests & Unlimited Gravel
Stage one and stage two take us into the forests either side of Lake Bled & Bohinj. These large woodlands contain a massive network of gravel trails, all well managed by the local foresters.
Both forests include long (gravel) climbs to get into them and have a great mix of traditional forest riding with tall trees on either side and the occasional opening with views of alpine meadows, ski resorts or sweeping vistas of the valley below.
Number seven
Portoroz & The Adriatic
The ride finishes on the coast at the chic resort town of Portoroz.
Slovenia only has a very short coastline, wedged between Italy & Croatia. Our ride ends at the Marina with a pasta party, beers & an ocean swim near the luxury yachts and sailboats. This is also a fun town for a celebratory night out after four big days on the bike!
STAGE DETAILS
Route Summary:
Our first stage takes us into the Transylvanian Hills and has the most elevation of all of the 4 stages (1,650m).
It’s a ride of two halves with just a couple of short hills in the first 45km and then a lumpy back nine. Almost all of the second half in the hills is on gravel including some massive (30km) singletrack sections through the woods. There is only one major climb (3.5km at 5%) and lots of rolling terrain before our finish in Viscri.
Ride Distance: 94km Ride Elevation: 1650m % Off Road: 60% Difficulty: 4/5 Technical Difficulty: 4/5
Route Summary:
Our first 100km day takes us west from Viscri. Unlike yesterday’s rolling stage, today is mostly fast & flat with five climbs to get over.
The longest climb is at 66km ( 4km at 7%), topping out at over 800m – our highest point of the week. We finish in the picturesque one road village of Talisoara for a night in a castle.
Ride Distance: 95km Ride Elevation: 964m % Off Road: 55% Difficulty: 3/5 Technical Difficulty: 3.5/5
Route Summary:
Today we head south and then west through the beautiful fortified Saxon town of Biertan. Near the start, we pass back through Racoș. Lunch is at an ecological farm in Cobor and we have multiple hydration points on the route in the afternoon.
Half of this stage is on paved roads with long sections of fast, flat riding. Our climbs today are all on gravel and forestry roads. The first 70km until lunch is relatively easy going then things get a little spicier.
Ride Distance: 108km Ride Elevation: 882m % Off Road: 65% Difficulty: 3/5 Technical Difficulty: 2/5
Route Summary:
Our final stage is quite punchy, as our route takes us north back to where we started. We’re back mostly on the road to begin with before we hit the single track. Be prepared for some challenging sections today, including a short hike
a bike! Our route passes by Medias middle age citadel and lunch is at the Villa Vinea Winery.
The climbs are tough in places, but the views are worth the effort. The final 18km is back on tarmac, before a party &
beers at the finish line.
Ride Distance: 112km Ride Elevation: 1445m % Off Road: 50% Difficulty: 3/5 Technical Difficulty: 3/5
ACCOMMODATION
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PACKING LIST
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GETTING THERE
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Flights
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Transfers
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Outbound
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Your Guides
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Rental Bikes
getting to romania
Fly Into: Cluj Airport (LJU)
Flights From: There are regular direct flights from London (all airports) with Ryanair and Wizz & Manchester with Ryanair.
Transfer Times:
– 8th September: Arrival transfer at 2.00pm from Cluj Airport. For people arriving earlier a pick up from the Hampton by Hilton Hotel in Cluj at 1.15 pm is possible on request. (If you wish to book the hotel please contact us to avail of our special partner discount)
– 13th September: Departure transfer at 3.30pm for flight departures after 7.00pm.
The transfers to and from the airport takes approximately 1h45 minutes.
Note: transfer times are subject to change should flight times change. Final times will be confirmed and sent to you a month before your trip.
Accommodation & Meals
The hotels in Slovenia are a good standard. We stay in a mix of superior 3* and 4* hotels. Choose between a single, shared twin or double room. You can add your preferred room mate in the booking notes.
In Kranjska Gora & Bohinj the hotels overlook the mountains & lake. Our hotel in Lipica is world famous for it’s white horses and we finish overlooking the Adriatic. Luggage is transferred from hotel to hotel & bike boxes are transferred from Bled to Portoroz on the first afternoon.
Evening meals are buffets with pasta, salads, meat & vegetables. Lunches at feed stops are local restaurants as we try some of the local delicacies. Vegan, gluten free and other dietary options are available.
packing list
Cycling Kit
Bibs/shorts | Jerseys/tops (consider LS t-shirts for cooler temperatures)
Gilet | Waterproof jacket | Arm warmers
Cycling shoes | Socks | Mitts
Helmet | Sunglasses
2 bottles | Chamois cream | Sun cream
GPS device with handle bar mount
Bike spares
2 x inner tubes suitable for the size of your tyre
Spare tyre | Tyre levers
1 x puncture repair kit (if running a tubeless set up, have a tubeless repair kit including plugs and spare sealant)
Multitool | Chain link specific for your bike chain
Spare rear mech hanger for your bike
Small pump | Rear light
Spare batteries/charging cables for lights
Personal Medical kit
1 x crepe roll bandage | Gauze or similar absorbent dressing
Small set of scissors | Tweezers | Pain Killers (paracetamol)
Steri-Strips | Antiseptic (spray, cream or wipes)
Assorted plasters | Rubber gloves | Prescribed medication
Hotels & Meals
Accommodation: The accommodation in rural Transylvania is in small villages where there is limited availability so expect a mix of standards. All are family run so you can expect friendly staff who are excited to host our group. We stay in a mix of 3* and 4* hotels on the first, middle and last evenings.
Meals – 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches on the road, 5 dinners are included in the package. Drinks with lunch & dinner are excluded.
We stay at:
Cund – Valea Verde Retreat
Viscri – Various Guesthouses
Tălișoara – Daniel Castle
Sighișoara – TBC
Cund – Valea Verde Retreat
DATES & PRICES
START
FINISH
SINGLE ROOM
TWIN/
DOUBLE ROOM
DEPOSIT
DATES & PRICES
FAQs
This route is designed for anyone that is comfortable riding on the gravel in the UK. The off road riding is much smoother than most gravel in the UK but there are a few technical sections & after long periods of rain, some of the gravel can be cut up / rutted.
Each stage is moderately difficult with daily elevation between 1300m & 1800m. There are long climbs on the first & second stage and lots of shorter climbs on the last two stages.
The local airport is Cluj Airport (LJU). There are daily direct flights from London & Manchester with Ryanair and Wizz, just to name a few.
Arrival: On the 8th of September, arrival transfer will be at 2.00pm from Cluj Airport. For people arriving earlier a pick up from the Hampton by Hilton Hotel in Cluj at 1.15 pm is possible on request. Please contact us to book the hotel and avail of our special partner discount.
Departure: On the 13th of September, departure transfer from the hotel will be at 3.30pm for flights after 7.00pm.
The transfers to and from the airport takes approximately 1h45 minutes.
Note: transfer times are subject to change should flight times change. Final times will be confirmed and sent to you a month before your trip.
Mid-September in Romania should be nice weather with warm days and cooler evenings and mornings. Our route takes us into the hills and some remote areas where the weather can change quickly, so make sure you pack both waterproof jacket & layers and swimmers.
British citizens do not require a visa to enter Slovenia.
Travel insurance is compulsory for our trips, and you are required to provide us with your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate cover for cycling abroad, any emergency medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and your bike. We also recommend it includes cancellation insurance, should you be unable to join the trip for specific reasons such as illness.
