Transylvanian Transfagarasan Cycle Picture 1
Next departure:
Please Call for Details
Best Time of Year: April - September
Transylvanian Transfagarasan Cycle
Bike Adventure
Join this incredible ride through one of Eastern Europe's least visited corners. Explore the amazing Carpathian Mountains, ride across the incomparable Transfagarasan Highway, and explore the legend of Count Dracula as our ride reaches its crescendo at Bran Castle high in the mountains. 4 days of riding, with an amazing slice through life in rural Romania.
This trip is both a cultural adventure into the heart of Eastern Europe, but also a true adventurous challenge as well, seeing you tackling some classic terrain into the Carpathian Mountains. This trip embraces all that is amazing about cycle touring. It will get you truly under the surface of the country, and will allow you to sample the full breadth of what Romania has to offer. With time to see the capital, the high mountains, Romanian rural country life, and one of Europe's most spectacular roads, this will be an amazing trip. And to cap it all off, you will pass through a village steeped in mystery and legend, the home of Dracula - Bran.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Fly From UK to Bucharest - Transfer to Central Bucharest, see central Bucharest, prepare bikes, and then ride out of city centre.
Day 2 - Ride from Bucharest outskirts to Lake Vidraru - Distance Approx 145km - reasonably flat, then gradual climbing beginning to the ride!
Day 3 - Ride from Lake Vidraru to the High Carpathians, and descent to Fagaras. Climb the Transfagarasan Pass, and enjoy incredible descent. Distance Approx 150km, Steady climb during the day. Ascent Approx 1500m
Day 4 - Ride from Fagaras - over a smaller pass to the city of Brasov - ascent of approx 900m and descent into Bran. Total Distance Approx 120km. Descent Approx 1700m !
Day 5 - Ride from Bran to Targoviste via Campulung. Distance Approx 110km, Ascent of Approx 900m. Descent of Approx 650m. Last night in Targoviste, and time to celebrate a job well done - just make sure you eat plenty of garlic tonight!
Day 6 - A 2 hour transfer will see you back at Bucharest Airport ready to head home!
N.B. Option to ride to Airport pending flight times (shower at airport hotel before departure).
Accommodation
You will be staying in hotels, which will mainly be of around 3 star standard. The exact nature and quality will depend highly upon what is available, and we will endeavour to keep the accommodation as smart and clean as we can!
What is a Level 3.5 Cycling Challenge Like?
These challenge rides are either longer, with more ascent, or span several days. In the case of single day events, you can expect up to 10 hours cycling. In the case of a multi day ride, you can expect lower daily durations - but of course - the effort is sustained over a longer period. You need to be a keen cyclist for these events, and to enjoy training, and to ride regularly. If the ride is outside the EU, it is likely to be easier in terms of the physical riding, however, you will need to be more resilient - due to more basic living conditions (in the case of Asia / Africa especially)
How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 3.5 ‘Bike Ride’?
You need to have good endurance for these events. You must be used to doing long rides in the countryside - 6 hours + . You should be doing regular exercise - with some serious cycle training. Your typical comfortable cycling speed will be at least 22-24 km/hr, and you should be able to cycle at high speed for up to 1 hour or 25 km. You may also be concentrating on other types of exercise - but for longer periods of time (ie sessions in excess of 1.5 hrs.) - however cycling is the best preparation (obviously!)
Medical Issues
You must fill in our booking / medical form, and you should be honest and full in your answers. If you are in any doubt about your suitability to join the ride, please speak to Adventure Café on 01460 249191, and also be ready to consult with your doctors.
Visas / Redtape
No Visas are required for this challenge. But you should have personal insurance including evacuation/repatriation cover. You should also carry an EHIC card.
Included In Trip
Transfers, Experienced Cycle Leader and Mechanic, Backup Cycle Toolkit & Spare Parts, Support Vehicle for Luggage Transfer, 5 nights accommodation on Bed and Breakfast Basis. First Aid Cover.
Excluded From Trip
Lunches (which will be paid for by kitty - which will be collected each day). Dinners. International Flights.
Equipment Required
Kit lists specific to your trip dates and location will be issued upon enquiry...below is our guide advice to give an idea of what you should bring on a multi--day ride in Europe
Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike (with puncture resistant tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
2 X Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves, Bike Lock, Neck Scarf, Inner Tubes*, Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Day Bag for support vehicle, Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Bike Lights (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Saddle Bag (recommended - can be used to carry asterisk* items)
Puncture Repair Kit*, Spare parts for your bike (specialist parts and spokes), Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)
Personal Medikit Suncream, Plasters, Vaseline, Painkillers, Sunbloc, Insect Repellant
Washkit
Warm Clothing Medium Weight Softshell, Long sleeve Jersey / insulating layer Lightweight Gloves.
Cycle Clothing
Padded Lycra Cycling Shorts, Cotton Shorts, or Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (wicking type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes or sturdy traners suitable),
Spare Shoes/Sandals for after ride
Casual Evening Wear - tracksuits, jeans, T shirts, fleece ...
Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
Other
Travel Documents, EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) Credit Cards, Cash, Local Currency, Mobile Phone, chargers, EU plug adaptor, Sunglasses
Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)
Travel insurance (not included), Passport
Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip. It is advisable to check that your travel insurance covers the value of any expensive items of kit that you chose to bring along with you.
A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure
Safety Information
You will receive a thorough safety briefing, which you should listen to very carefully. Whilst cycling is a very safe activity, if not practised safely, it has the potential for serious accidents. In your challenge joining instructions, you will also receive a thorough detailed set of safety advice. Please read these carefully. It is our highest priority that we keep you safe whilst on our ride. Your bike should be in good condition, and properly maintained. You will need to check brakes, chain and wheels and tyres.
Weather
At lower altitudes, we can expect warm weather in September, but as we climb it will get very cold. Hence we should be prepared for temperatures down to almost zero. You will need both warm weather clothing and cold weather clothing. You should also be prepared for rain.
Notes on Cycling Events
This is our standard range of Cycling Challenges in the UK, Europe and further afield. However, we offer completely tailormade itineraries to your specification. Call us to discuss!
Please note that for overseas point to point cycling challenges we can transport soft cases for bike transport - but not hard cases, due to space limitations on board our support vehicles.
On all our cycling events, please pack sensibly and bring a reasonably sized soft holdall type bag.
To participate in an overseas Adventure Cafe challenge - you must carry Travel Insurance (to be for the activity you are participating in, and to include repatriation to the UK).
Please also note that you should have a good level of cycling experience and be competent to handle your bike. We ride on roads shared with other vehicles - and you need to be able to deal with this safely.
Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions
By booking an event with Adventure Cafe, you agree to these standard terms of booking. Please ensure that you read the appropriate document for your type of event carefully.
Adventure Cafe Terms & Conditions - For all types of event
To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge
You should fill in the Google Form - linked here below, and then please call us on 01823 444 246 to advise of your payment method. We can accept card payments over the phone, or Bank Transfer.
Please note that your space is not confirmed until you have received your booking receipt.
CLICK HERE:
Adventure Cafe Challenge Booking Form - For Challenge Events