We want to help you to get back to what riding is all about -adventure. In the first of a new series of blogs, we’re visiting Elterwater Independent Hostel in the English Lake District, to show you some amazing mountain bike routes from the door.
During the Covid pandemic, sales of bikes have risen exponentially, with more and more people seeking the freedom and adventure that cycling brings. Riding our bikes takes us back to days of childhood, gives us the opportunity to explore new challenges and new places. And, if you’re looking for real adventure in spectacular surroundings in the future, then there’s only 1 Trans Alp race.
There are some days in the mountains that are truly special. Tackling the English Lake District in winter produces such days. Follow Rich Duckworth on this epic Lake District mountain bike route and take your own adventure!
Yesterday’s journey to my first crack at a UCI Marathon Series started about fifteen years ago, after seeing Miguel Martinez solo to a marathon win on Eurosport, having ditched his punctured back tyre and ‘rimming it’ from about 5km out. I’d been an armchair fan of Cape Epic and loved the footage of the dust covered athletes racing MTB’s in dramatic landscapes. I’m in my fifties. I still want to be that man. Tragic I know.
Over the last thirty five years of cycle racing, I’ve often considered my peers and their contentment at riding the same disciplines, indeed the same races, year in year out. Each to their own and all that, but it’s not for me. It’s probably a Myers-Briggs personality thing. Firstly, I like new experiences; secondly, as a very average amateur athlete, I have never really found a discipline that has offered fame and fortune. Riding the same races over and over again holds little appeal.
Magura town sits beneath the beautiful mountains, surrounded by trails in my home – Transylvania, near to the historic city of Bran. The castles neary and the forests and hills are all magical and the riding is awesome 🙂
Magura Peak is a wonderful mountain bike trail route in my home – Transylvania, near to the historic city of Sibiu. It takes you through magical forests and high into the mountains, with the wild and beautiful Romanian countryside surrounding you. I love exploring and riding in the hills here, and this route is a special one to share with you 🙂
Take a trip with Larisa Chinces, into the beautiful forested hills and mountains in the west of Romania
When we look at how much cycling is embedded into a national culture, nowhere comes close to Italy. It truly is the beating heart of world cycling. Read more
Into the Fagaras Mountains
This short mountain bike route into the forest close to the historic medieval city of Sibiu in Transylvania, has some testing technical sections and steep climbing. It’s a perfect technical trail ride for a spring or summer spin.
Route Information
Sitting nestled close to the Fagaras Mountains, historic Sibiu is a great base for both road and mountain bike trips. This nearby route from the village of Avrig, takes you along steep and technical trails in the forests, exploring the lower Fagaras mountain biking opportunities.
Stats: 40.7 km and 988 metres of ascent
Refreshments & Where to Stay
Nearby Sibiu has all that you need for your stay, and you can fly in to Sibiu international airport too. There are lots of accommodation choices at all prices. There’s also a wealth of great coffee shops and restaurants to eat at, and lots to explore on foot. The historic centre is one of the most complete medieval cities in Europe and has superb hotels and AirBNB choices to suit all budgets.
Character
This is a short but testing forestry mountain bike trail near Sibiu, with some great technical sections and lots of descending, after the steep inital climbing 😉 It’s a useful spring and summer mtb route for a morning or afternoon ride, before relaxing in this unique area of a Europe – transfixing Transylvania.
Route
1. Unless riding with a local guide, you will need to follow the gps for this route into the hills. Head out of Avrig on the trail marked ‘105F’, passing Cabana Valea Avrigului Ovidiu after a short distance. Continue on,passing the happily named ‘Cabana Smiley’ and several other accommodation opportunities.
2. At the timber structure of ‘Gura Jibrii’ follow the gravelled trail into the trees (10.6 km). The trail climbs and follows the ridgeline in the forest, passing the cabin ‘Anna Charisma’ at 14.6 km.
3. At the 18km point, turn upwards and right, heading away from the river and climbing through trees to the high point, then descending and passing the track junction in the trees and continuing down in the direction of Marsa.
4. At 20.4 km stay on the right hand track and continue down as the trail becomes technical and skirts theforested hillside to Marsa. At 26.5 km the trail levels out for a short distance, descending again after 29 km, as it drops to Marsa.
5. Now take the open trail as it winds its way back to Avrig and the finish. Pack the bike away and drive back to Sibiu for some refreshments and evening exploring.
Click below to download GPX file
Avrig & Lower Fagaras Mountains
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Crank it Up!
