Tudor Oprea – pedalnorth https://pedalnorth.com The best independent cycling website Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:56:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://pedalnorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cropped-Pedal-North-600-pixel-32x32.jpg Tudor Oprea – pedalnorth https://pedalnorth.com 32 32 Best European MTB Events https://pedalnorth.com/best-european-mtb-events/ Thu, 11 Jul 2024 22:58:23 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?page_id=37835
Europe's Best
MTB EventsJoin the Ridein partnership with

 MTB Adventures in Europe

Our selection of the best mtb events in Europe

by Robert Thorpe & Tudor Oprea

It seems that since the covid pandemic, more and more people are collecting memories and experiences than ever before. People want to experience life again; and that means that mountain bike events companies are red hot, all across Europe, as they try to keep up with the demand. Yes, riders of MTB Enduro have been setting the pace, with events such as the Ard Rock Enduro in North Yorkshire, U.K., creating the standard for others to follow – the Glastonbury of all MTB events in Europe, if not the world.  Focal Events from the U.K., are also working hard to put on more and more off-road adventures, all across Europe, as gravel bike riders find out about MTB XCO and other MTB disciplines.

The whole scene has seen a renewed focus on MTB XCO events, with the fast and technical trails being the event of choice for many riders. Europe of course, has an unrivalled geographic arena to choose from, in terms of event locations: from the often damp and gnarly trails of the north of England, to the dusty tracks of Spain and France, or the wild and remote mountain forests of Romania, there’s so much variety, that mtb riders will never grow bored.

With so much activity taking place, we wanted to help riders of all standards to find the very best mountain bike events in Europe. Whether you’re looking for Europe’s finest MTBB XCO events, or the very best Enduro events in Europe, or the new, fast and furious EMTB events, we’ll try and list the very best for you, and tell you what makes them so special. Using our own and our friends collective years of experience, we’ll bring you Europe’s very best selection of MTB events to enjoy, as you set off in search of adventure on 2-wheels. It’s time for the MTB revolution, so let’s get started!

The best MTB XCO events

Whilst gravel bike events have been taking the lead in recent years, MTB XCO has been quietly riding along and redefining what it’s all about. The Southern XC series, in the south of England, close to London, is an excellent example of the slow growth that is now picking up pace, as gravel riders look for a more comfortable and technical ride, with the same element of speed attached. Roc D’Azur in France is the number one mountain bike XC event in the world, and is designed for all ages and types of riding! Taking place at the Nature Base in Fréjus, in the south of France, it has a level of excitement that’s hard to match. However, hidden quietly away, in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania for the past few years, the TRIADA MTB race series has developed into probably the most unique and amazing MTB XC event series in Europe.

Tackling the thousands of kilometres of technical trails that Transylvania has, this epic landscape has been rightly described as ‘Europe’s last great wilderness’, and has the potential to top everything else and take the title of the best place in Europe for a mountain bikers. Certainly, the new TRIADA ‘Trilogy of the Trails event series, is already drawing attention, with epic trails and awesome mountain scenery.

Ride into your next adventure – at Europe’s best MTB events

Yes, we all love to see Tom Pidcock racing the trails, battling the legendary Nino Shurter. However, we also like to dream and to ride for ourselves, as the dust and dirt spits out from beneath our tyres. E-mountain bikes have brought more and more people into our sport, and will hopefully continue to do so; and gravel bikers will continue to seek the holy trail, with just that added dose of lemon and ice – a cocktail of MTB XCO heaven.

And so, over the next few months and beyond, we’ll be pointing your wheels and your bike boxes to the right departure lounges, as we bring you a selection of the best of Europe’s MTB events for you to enter. Yes, get that passport renewed, and buy that Bike Box Alan – it’s time to join the adventure revolution, at Pedalnorth.com!

Check out the Rides

Choose a blog below

Three days – three mountains – Riding Romania by Mountain Bike

Some trips stand out not just for the trails, but for the stories that unfold along the way. Our first trip with Peter from Ireland was one of those special ones — three unforgettable days of riding across the best trails around Păltiniș and Rășinari, filled with breath-taking views, great conversations, and the kind of mountain magic that reminds us why we love doing this.
October 17, 2025/by Pedalnorth Website

Best European MTB Events

Cyclists are looking for new adventures, and there's an explosion of events all over Europe. We put our experts to work, listing the very best of European mountain bike events. Off you go then - join the adventure revolution!

TRIADA and the Trilogy of the Trails

Transylvania has been described as Europe's last and most beautiful wilderness. It's also home to the inspiring mtb racer, Tudor Oprea, and he's got an all-new epic for you ride. Welcome to the 'TRILOGY OF THE TRAILS', the future of off-road adventures. This epic new off-road biking festival takes on gravel bikes, XC & trail mountain bikes, and e-mountain biking, over 3 epic weekend festivals in the Carpathian Mountains. Read here to find out more...
March 12, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Stoneman Trail Mountain Bike Challenge

If you’re a lover of mountains and adventure and you ride a mountain bike, then you’ll love the Stoneman Trail in the Dolomites. The route sits neatly in the mountains in the north of Italy and briefly crosses the border in Austria. With a distance of over 100km, this mountain bike challenge has a number of days in which to complete the ride, visiting certain checkpoints along the way, so that your ride can be verified. It’s a challenge and a tough one, but ultimately it’s up to you.
August 13, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Bike TransAlp 2021

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.
March 9, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Capoliveri Legend Cup

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.
October 15, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website
TRILOGY OF THE TRAILS

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]]> On the trails of Triada – Transylvania epic ride https://pedalnorth.com/on-the-trails-of-triada-transylvania-epic-ride/ Tue, 25 Jun 2024 19:07:44 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?p=37173
On the Trails of TRIADAAn epic 4-day adventure ride
in TransylvaniaIn partnership
with TRIADA MTB

Off-road adventure in Transylvania, for 2025!

Explore the Fagaras Mountains by Bike

We’re really excited to announce that we’ll be working closely with the team at TRIADA and the ‘Trilogy of the Trails’, to develop a 4-day epic off-road route for gravel riders and mountain bikers. The route will explore the amazing trails in and around Paltinis and Avrig, and the Fagaras Mountains (part of the Carpathians), taking you into the vast mountain forests, the open mountain meadows, and riding in singletrack heaven beneath some of the beautiful mountain peaks of Transylvania.

With Romania’s oldest mountain resort at Paltinis as the base and starting point for this ride, being only 30km from the World Heritage city of Sibiu, you’ll be able to fly here from all over the world, to take on the Trails of Triada’  at your own relaxed pace, all year long – dependent on the mountain weather of course! Yes, it’s an opportunity for gravel bikers and mountain bikers from all over the world, to challenge yourself on unique mountain trails, as you ride a future classic route, on your own epic adventure in Transylvania!

A Route for all Riders

We want this new off-road ride to be accessible to all levels of rider, and for both gravel bikes and mountain bikes. As we develop our route, we’ll be taking time to ensure that there’s sections to take you onto your own specific adventure option – chilled out trial options and some epic technical options too.

The benefit of riding here in Transylvania is that we have the largest undiscovered area of mountain forests and trails in Europe. We’re rightly described as Europe’s last great wilderness, and we’re also home to amazing cultural centres such as Sibiu – a magical, medieval city, and one of the most beautiful small cities in Europe.

We want to include ideal gravel bike specific sections, making sure that you can ride and smile all day long – for 4 whole days. And, we’ll be bringing you a selection of the very best accommodation options, trail support and local guides too. ‘On the trails of TRIADA’ will be a truly epic challenge, that will promote this beautiful mountain region, and bring it to the attention of more people, seeking to rediscover life on 2-wheels!

The Sweet Sound of Singletrack Heaven

There’s nothing finer on a mountain bike, than sweeping along sweet singletrack trails, with the rocky ground crunching beneath the wheels; or swooping through the forests on tight and twisting trails that seem endless. Thankfully, both Paltinis and Avrig have hundreds of kilometres to explore; all within easy reach of Sibiu as a great travel and logistics hub. Both Paltinis and Avrig have great accommodation options too, for all budgets.

As we develop this new and exciting project, in time for spring 2025, we’ll also be looking at the option to add an introduction ride day, making the tour a 5-day ride direct from the centre of Sibiu, warming up on the rolling trails that take you alongside the scenic Romanian countryside, as you climb into the mountains and head to Paltinis and the start of the epic ‘Trails of TRIADA’ multi-stage adventure route.

Inspiring, Encouraging & Influencing Adventure

Working closely with the TRIADA team and Tudor Oprea, this 4-day route will ensure that we continue to inspire, encourage and influence the next generation of cyclists seeking adventure. We also want to promote the amazing culture, history and countryside of Transylvania and Sibiu County – one of the most spectacular areas of Europe. The ‘Trails of TRIADA’ route will actively promote a healthy lifestyle, and encourage people to explore the countryside in a balanced way, promoting sustainability tourism. We’ve only got one world, so let’s look after it and see what it has to offer us all. Take a trip to Transylvania in 2025, and ride with Tudor and the team in Europe’s last great wilderness!

We’ll keep you posted as the project develops; and we’d also like to here from you, if you’d like to be involved and help out. A multi-day off-road route for gravel and mountain bike is also great for promoting local tourism and bringing more people to explore the mountains. Sibiu is constantly growing in international stature, as a go-to centre for travellers. Let’s make it a cultural and adventure centre of excellence for everyone to enjoy!

Book a Bike Tour of Transylvania

Both Alex Sabin and Tudor Oprea can offer you access to some of the very best off-road cycling tours of Transylvania. Take a look across our website pages for Romania, and take in the opportunities that exist for world-class riding. Then, click the links below and book your own tour of the epic Transylvania trails, on a bikecation vacation that will live in your memory for ever!

VISIT THE TRILOGY WEBSITE

Click Here

TAKE A BREAK WITH PEDALNORTH

For the best cycling and mountain biking routes


MTB Tours in Transylvania


TRILOGY OF THE TRAILS


TRIADA & THE TRILOGY

]]> Mountain Biking in Romania – Europe’s last great wilderness https://pedalnorth.com/mountain-biking-in-romania-europes-last-great-wilderness/ Tue, 26 Mar 2024 10:58:30 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?p=35890
Adventure Awaits
in Transylvania

Trail riding heaven in Romania

Take a trip to transfixing Transylvania

by Robert Thorpe, with additional content information by Tudor Oprea

Transylvania, a fascinating and quite beautiful region of Romania, has been central to European history for centuries. In more modern times, we tend to think of it simply in terms of the quite false literary account of Count Dracula. In truth, there’s so much more to Bran Castle than vampires, and there is definitely lots more to see and do when exploring what is rightly known as Europe’s last great wilderness.

The Carpathian Mountains are simply spectacular and sublime, with the endless forests and high meadows, that rise with the light coloured rocks standing sentinel over historic villages and towns. Sibiu, sitting nestled in the shadows of these mountains, is a world heritage site, with streets and squares closed to traffic and more historical buildings than you could dream of. Add to this that it has an international airport, with direct flights from London, Munich and elsewhere, and that its art festival (FITS) is second only to Edinburgh, then you’d be right in asking yourself “Why haven’t I been here already!”

Find your soul on sublime trails

There’s always been a heart-felt connection between the mountains and the human spirit. It recharges our soul and warms our heart, as we ride of hike or climb further into the hills, feeling that spiritual connection. Coming from a mountaineering and climbing background as I do, I recall those long hikes in to crags, weighed down by heavy rucksacks filled with gear, but lightened by the feeling inside of me. It’s still the same these days, as an older, greying version of me rides into the mountains on a very light and nimble Orbea Oiz mountain bike. I feel refreshed and warmed and alive once more. Last year, after a troubling time and too much loss in too short a period of time, it was to the mountains  that I retreated, taking regular hikes in solitude and rediscovering myself.

Whilst I live on the edge of the quite beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park, my heart seems to lie in Transylvania and its transfixing mountains, and amidst the history and majestic medieval history of Sibiu – probably my favourite town or city on earth. I love the people of the place, their warmth and kindness, their spirit of adventure and their friendliness and generosity. They are to me, unequalled in their altruism and love for life. Whilst here in the U.K. we seem to be largely focused on self interest these days, and the fitness of our nation is woeful at best – yes, it’s true – in Sibiu, you walk and ride freely and uninterrupted by  the absence of annoyance and the wealth of warmth that shines from the smiling faces of the local people. Romania and Transylvania is an area of Europe that is finally discovering its place in Europe, and it will quite rightly be at the centre of the action and adventure scene, with the Carpathian Mountains taking centre stage. Yes, you can head to the alps and take a week of uplifts, riding down busy trails in busy towns and the mountain biking equivalent of Trafalgar Square, or you can find your soul, exploring the endless trails of Transylvania – you choose.

Places to ride

There are so many options for riding here in Transylvania, that you’re literally spoilt for choice. However, basing yourself in Sibiu is always a good option. It has a superb international airport close to the city centre (15 minute drive), a wealth of history and culture, great restaurants and the ability to eat outside and enjoy the historic buildings, and a tourism and hotel network that is skilled in catering for travellers from around the world. My own favourite hotel is the Art Hotel, close to Piata Mare.

Travelling out to Paltinis, the mountain resort, is a mere 30km or so away, and car or van hire is cheap here too. On my own trips, we’ve always pre-booked a minibus and driver, which when split between the group is cheap and reliable, and you get their local knowledge too. In terms of the trails, you can ride for an hour or all day long. Many local mountain bikers take to the mountains on all day rides, exploring the high trails, all of which are well signed. And, with research, you’ll find mountain huts scattered in the hills, where you can get refreshments. However, the trails can also be long and isolated, so we’d recommend taking a well-packed Camelbak backpack, with fluids, snacks, spares for repairs and an extra jacket for if the weather cools down too much.

In terms of the weather here, in summer it can frequently be 30+ degrees in Sibiu, with 20/25+ in the mountains, albeit cooler higher up, so where sun protection too. Paltinis is the oldest mountain resort in Romania, and is also the home venue of the epic TRIADA mountain bike race series, organised by Tudor Oprea and the team, from TRIADA. Tudor is a former Olympic mountain bike rider and manager for the national team these days. His knowledge of the area and its trails is encyclopedic, which is why he’s our partner editor for the region. The trails recommended by the amazing guy, will be some of the best that you’ll ever ride – anywhere in the world.

TRIADA & the Trilogy of the Trails

With thousands of miles of trails to explore, and a forested paradise for mountain bike lovers, it was only a matter of time before a world-class event idea to came into being. Tudor Oprea and the TRIADA race series team and taking things to a whole new level for 2024 and beyond, with the new off-road biking festival, ‘the Trilogy of the Trails.’

Taking place over three weekends, in April, late June and September, using Avrig near Sibiu and also Paltinis, the new event is designed for 3 different bike riding styles: E-Bike, mountain bike, and finally, the growing genre of gravel biking. Yes, riders from all three disciplines can take to the foothills and mountains, and find their own challenge, as each weekend event has entries at all levels, from young kids, weekend warriors to elite and world class riders. There are also equal events for men and for women, which we like here at Pedalnorth, being the biggest promoter of ladies cycling online.

If you’d like more information, then simply click the link below and plan your own adventure for 2024, taking on the Trilogy of the Trails in transfixing Transylvania!

Alex Sabin riding in Transylvania

Let Pedalnorth help to guide your ride!

With skilled riders and locally based  writers leading our team over many years, we’ve built up some great contacts and a wealth of knowledge regarding the mountain biking opportunities and accessibility in Transylvania. If you’d like us to help you with your own plans and ideas for an adventure, then why not send us an email using our contact form. We’ll put you in touch with the right people, give you advice on hotels, and guides, plus where to hire a bike if you don’t want to bring your own.

The map below also gives you links to many of our own favourite mountain bike routes in the region. We’re also looking to expand our team of people who help us to identify the awesome mountain bike routes in Transylvania; so if you’re a local rider to the region and have a great ride for us to map out, then let us know!

In a crazy and often chaotic world, we all need to find ourselves and to find an escape from the daily routine every now and then. Transylvania trail riding and mountain biking takes you into one of the most beautiful and natural landscapes in the world, with the added bonus of amazingly beautiful towns and small cites, filled with history and culture. Isn’t it time then that you joined the new off-road riding revolution and found your soul, on a 2-wheeled adventure in transfixing  Transylvania

Ride Romania MTB

Check out our routes

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]]> TRIADA and the Trilogy of the Trails https://pedalnorth.com/triada-and-the-trilogy-of-the-trails/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 15:39:02 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?p=35743
Adventure Awaits
in Transylvania

Trilogy of the Trails – Triada MTB, Transylvania

Ride into the forests of Europe’s last great wilderness

by Robert Thorpe & Tudor Oprea

It’s March already and the cycling season has already begun – on tarmac and trail. Riders are heading into garages and sheds all over Europe, oiling up their drivetrains and starting to think of those great trail adventures once more. With gravel riding still on the rise, there’s one more bike to add to the collection – isn’t there always – and even more excuses to travel in search of the ultimate adventure. However, look no further, because we think that we’ve found it – deep in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania – Transylvania to be process, and close to the beautiful, historic city of Sibiu, a World Heritage Site and one of thee most beautiful small cities in Europe.

Yes, Europe’s last great wilderness awaits you as Tudor Oprea and the team at TRIADA MTB develop their epic off-road event and take it to new levels. With riders all over our global cycling community, looking for the next great trail – Tudor has a wealth of them for you explore.

Ride magical forests in transfixing Transylvania

‘The Trilogy of the Trails’ is the all-new concept from this inspiring rider from Romania, a former Olympian. It takes in 3 different venues, over 3 different weekends throughout the year, and includes 3 different bike types: E-MTB, MTB XC and Gravel Bike. With races starting at Avrig, near Sibiu in April, the second event is at Romania’s oldest mountain resort, Paltinis in June, and coincides with the internally renowned Sibiu FITS Arts Festival, one of the best in the world and which is second only to Edinburgh.   With so much happening, and an international airport only 15 minutes from the medieval city centre – much of which is car free – Sibiu and the ‘Trilogy of the Trails’ is definitely the place to be in summer 2024! The 3rd and final epic weekend is in mid-September, again at Paltinis.

There are categories all the way from the very youngest of riders – small kids, all the way through to Elite men and women, with everyone else fitted in too. Yes, everyone can come and find their own adventure , and choose which bike to ride: gravel bike, mountain bike or e-mountain bike. Tudor and the team have been planning this for a long time, and the Trilogy of the Trails is designed to be inclusive for everyone, to help to promote and to develop cycling and adventure in harmony with the mountains in this exceptional place.

Paltinis and these epic forested mountains have been favourites of ours for  many years, and is the home venue for our own Alex Sabin and Teo Sabine. You can literally ride for hours on isolated tracks, with some of the most spectacular alpine views in Europe. Paltinis as we say, will also be the host for the 3rd and final weekend of the Trilogy, in September, when the air is still warm, but with a cooling breeze, and the city squares of  Piata Mica and Piata Mare are waiting for you to relax post-ride. The nearby airport has direct flights from London and elsewhere across Europe, and hotels like our favourite – the Art Hotel on Strada Centumvirilor – are ready and waiting to share their warm Romanian  hospitality with you.

VISIT THE TRILOGY WEBSITE

Click here for adventure

Take adventure to the next level – at the Trilogy of the Trails

With so many options for adventure cycling these days, it’s refreshing to see an event that is designed to bring all riders together. Not only that, but the Trilogy of the Trails is based upon Tudor’s tried and tested TRIADA race series, which has encouraged and supported riders of all ages and all levels for many years, promoting mountain biking in Romania.

Whether you ride an E-Mountain Bike, a pure cross country race machine, like Tudor in his Olympic and World Cup racing days, or you’re one of the new breeds of gravel bike adventure seekers, then the Trilogy of the Trails has something for you. Add to this, the history, culture and people of this beautiful and easily accessible area, and it has to be time to join us for 2024, riding the next big thing in global adventure cycling –the Trilogy of the Trails, in transfixing Transylvania. See you there!

Race one of the 3 Trilogy events – with TRIADA & Pedalnorth

Robert Thorpe & Tudor Oprea

In a first for us here at Pedalnorth, we’re teaming up with Tudor and the people at TRIADA, to help you to find your own adventure in Transylvania. After all, it’s a unique place, with epic riding and world-leading culture – and wonderful people, like the inspiring Tudor Oprea.

Contact us here via email and we’ll help you to plan your Transylvania trip to the Trilogy, putting you in touch with the the best local guides, the best hotel deals and the best guides, to make the most of your trip.

The ‘Trilogy of the Trails’ will undoubtably, fast become one the best and most popular off-road adventure race festivals in Europe; so why not take on the challenge of the Carpathian Mountains now and ride into Europe’s most spectacular and beautiful wilderness Transylvania – Tudor and the team at TRIADA are waiting!

VISIT THE TRILOGY WEBSITE

Click here for adventure

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