Larisa Chinces

Larisa Chinces is a cyclist, writer and former multiple national speed skating champion from Romania. Larisa is a well know social media influencer too

Posts

Romania 5 Top Cycling Climbs

June 7, 2020/in Bikecation, Bikecation Locations, Blog Post, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European Cycling Routes, Larisa Chinces, Lifestyle, Road Cycling Routes, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania Road Cycling /by Pedalnorth Website

There are places in the world that are not only still relatively undiscovered, but that also have road cycling climbs that rank alongside any cycling climbs in the world – welcome to Romania cycling, or to be precise – it’s time to be transfixed by Transylvania!

Feedback Omnium Trainer Review

May 24, 2020/in Blog Post, Bloggers, Fitness, Health and Lifestyle, Kit Facts, Kit Reviews, Larisa Chinces, Lifestyle, Robert Thorpe, Technical Accessories, Technical Kit, Training, Travel Kit /by Pedalnorth Website

Stuck for trainer options due to space? This well engineered trainer from Feedback combines the best aspects of rollers & fixed trainer

Alé Klimatik Winter Bib tights

March 12, 2020/in Blog Post, Cycle Clothing, Kit Reviews, Ladies Bib Tights, Larisa Chinces /by Pedalnorth Website

Good quality cycling gear is important to me, both for performance and for style. Transylvania requires hard cycling, especially in winter and I like to challenge myself. I also like my bib tights to fit well and yes, to show off my athleticism

ALÉ Ladies Seamless Wool Baselayer

February 9, 2020/in Base Layers, Blog Post, Cycle Clothing, Kit Reviews, Larisa Chinces, Lifestyle /by Pedalnorth Website

Base layers have become more popular. It’s not simply about keeping you warm, as the latest garments also manage moisture and have lots of other technical features.

Larisa Chinces riding Bianchi at Brimham Rock Road

Robert Thorpe

Cycling Nidderdale

December 13, 2019/in Bike Routes, Bikecation, Bikecation Locations, Blog Post, Bloggers, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European Cycling Routes, Road Cycling Routes, Robert Thorpe, UK Road Cycling Routes, Yorkshire Dales Road Cycling Routes /by Pedalnorth Website

Ssh…don’t tell anyone about this place. It’s a real gem and a secret cycling centre of excellence – Nidderdale. With the long and winding ascent – or descent – of Greenhow Hill, coupled with Lofthouse Bank, it has climbs to match anywhere

Larisa Chinces Cycling Journey

December 10, 2019/in Blog Post, Larisa Chinces /by Pedalnorth Website

My love for sport began since I was a child; I was a very energetic and my parents guided me to practice speed skating, which is not really a popular sport here in my country. I started to be really good at it and had remarkable results.

Lake Shoes CX176

December 8, 2019/in Blog Post, Cycle Clothing, Kit Reviews, Larisa Chinces, Road Cycling Shoes /by Pedalnorth Website

We ladies want to look good no matter the circumstances and that means that when we are at work, at school, at a date, or even doing sport or other kind of activities we want to look pretty and feel good – and we love shoes 😉

Cycology Long Sleeve Jersey

December 4, 2019/in Blog Post, Cycle Clothing, Cycle Jerseys and Jackets, Kit Reviews, Ladies Cycling, Ladies Cycling Jerseys, Larisa Chinces /by Pedalnorth Website

Style and apparel is important to us because if we look good, we feel good. I choose to believe that some of us who are passionate about style and fashion, are a little artist ourselves which use their body as a canvas

Pirelli Scorpion mtb Tyre

December 3, 2019/in Blog Post, Kit Reviews, Larisa Chinces, Technical Kit, Tyres, Uncategorized /by Pedalnorth Website

I tested 2 sets of tyres from the Pirelli Scorpion™ MTB range which were born from Pirelli’s experience and know how in the world of off-road competitions.

Forests and Mountains

October 17, 2019/in Blog Post, Bloggers, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, Larisa Chinces, Robert Thorpe /by Pedalnorth Website

For me, Whinlatter was like a playground. I had so much fun on the muddy and rocky trails and riding straight into puddles. The Orange Four bike made it easier for me to enjoy the trails.

Abbeys and Climbs Bike Route

October 12, 2020/in Bike Routes, Bikecation, Bikecation Locations, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, North Yorks Moors Road Cycling Routes, UK Road Cycling Routes, Yorkshire Wolds Road Cycling /by Pedalnorth Website

EASINGWOLD, ABBEYS & CLIMBS
One of the most superb and scenic bike rides anywhere in the UK, with a few testing climbs along the way

Route Information

Stats: 53 km and 650 metre of ascent

Map Link:

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Easingwold has everything that you need, as does historic Helmsley. Porters tea rooms in Helmsley serve the very best cake and coffee. Helmsley would be a superb holiday location, with its castle, nearby Reivaulx Abbey and so many great places to eat. The roads nearby are ideal for all cyclists too.

Larisa at Newburgh Priory along this route

Character

Heading from the calm flat roads of Easingwold, the route soon climbs and takes in some tough hills, passing by historic abbeys and buildings along the way. Riding on mainly quiet roads, this is one of the best rides you’ll find anywhere in the UK.

Route

Head out of Easingwold towards Crayke. However, at the edge of Easingwold take the road left (Oulston Road) signed towards Oulston and Coxwold.
Climb steeply as you approach the village of Oulston, then descending at speed, passing Newburgh Priory as the exhilarating descent eases off. At Coxwold turn right on the rolling climbs towards Ampleforth.
On reaching Byland Abbey, continue towards Ampleforth passing through Wass village. Continue towards Ampleforth and once through the main part of the village, then take the junction left and climb (Beacon Bank) towards Sproxton. The climb is tough, but once you summit, the descent down through the woodland lined road is straight and fast and epic. Take care, as this is a fast descent.
On reaching the T junction and busy road, turn left and head towards the A170 road junction. At the A170 turn right and ride to Helmsley, descending fast as you approach. Porters tea rooms are on the right just before the market place.
Once refreshed, ride along the A170 for half a mile. As you leave Easingwold, a junction on the right is signed towards ‘Harome’, take this road. It’s a quitre road with tight and twisting descents, so take care as they can surprise you. Once through picturesque Harome, take the minor road on the right signed towards ‘Nunnington.’ After 1.5 km further,turn right towards Nunnington.
Climb gently out of Nunnington and then steadily climb to Hovingham, the childhood home of the Duchess of Kent. Hovingham is a superb place to take a coffee and a few more pictures before continuing on, with sublime meadows and woodland views as you climb steeply towards Brandsby. In particlar, look out for the stone bridge in the meadow on the right,seemingly leading nowhere, but looking quite beautiful.
Just before reaching Brandsby, the seemingly endless steep climbs ease off and you descend on a superb twisting road into Brandsby village. Once through Brandsby turn off right at the junction in trees and climb easily to Crayke village.
At Crayke, once you reach the high point on the main village road, it bends left, but take the junction on the right signed to Easingwold. Only a few easy kilometres now before cake and coffee in Easingwold’s Georgian Market Place.

Click below for GPX file & accommodation

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Abbeys and Climbs Bike Route

There are few people as talented as Larisa. A former multiple national speed skating champion and record holder, mountain guide, ski instructor… oh, and multi-discipline cyclist, why not let this inspiring lady guide your own cycling and fitness lifestyle. Outlining a cycling and sporting journey, Larisa writes about her cycling life, her fitness training, reviews, articles, routes, favourite places and cycling thoughts.

Larisa races both road and mountain bike at her home in Transylvania. She also coaches young athletes in speed skating, as a nationally qualified coach, and has a Masters degree in Sports Education. Working closely with many brands across the industry, Larisa is an ambassador and works closely with brands such as Elite, Ekoi, Voom Nutrition, Red Chilli Bikes, Polar and many others. She’s also a member of our new European mountain bike stage race team, with a wealth of racing experience in the mountains of Transylvania. Her fitness regime is based on her national and international winter athlete experience, meaning that it’s at the highest level and great for advising fellow cyclists how to improve their own health & fitness.

Settle back and chill out then, as Larisa shares her sporting lifestyle with you. Simply choose a blog from below, and don’t forget to follow Larisa on instagram too.

READ LARISA’S LATEST BLOGS

Browse the blogs below & click to read

Larisa Ale Switch Combi smile close up — Alé Ladies Switch DWR Combi Jacket
New Year, new style and more fun!

The Ale´ Women’s winter jacket Switch DWR Combi looks lovely, like most of Ale’s wonderful collections, always full of bright and vivid colors, with unique designs. The one I have on test is a shade of light blue or celeste color, one of my favorites of course!
March 3, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Elite Nero – feature image — Indoor Cycling in Winter
Winter can be beautiful. The snow falls deep and lies like a blanket. It’s super for skiing, which I love, but it means that I cannot ride outside so much. I still need to train though and I now have Elite to help me.
March 2, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Selle Italia Flite Boost TM Superflow 2 — Selle Italia SLR Boost Lady Superflow
Saddles are important, especially to me. I don’t like it when I have to use a strange bike and the saddle is uncomfortable. I want to be comfortable on my bike, so that I can give my best performance. That means not worrying about being on a bad saddle.
February 22, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Nero rollers on white background — Elite Nero Rollers Introduction
Larisa is currently testing the Elite Nero interactive rollers and by all accounts they're awesome. Read her first thoughts on riding these high end technology packed rollers from this leading Italian brand.
January 24, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Elastic Interface _WP2_DEF — Elastic Interface Ladies Chamois Pad
Did you know that women have a greater spectrum of bottom shapes and structures than men, it’s true. Elastic Interface have researched this, partnering with the Department of Biomedical Science at the University of Padua, Italy. After developing their First Ladies specific pads, Elastic Interface listened to the feedback and wanted to improve things, and so looked towards the scientists in order to better understand female cyclists bottoms.
January 16, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa in Duathlon Oct 2020 — Voom Energy Bars
Portable, easy to eat and chew, sweet but non sticky and suuuper tasty - these are the perfect characteristics that every energy bar should have. Food is fuel. The right energy bar under the right circumstances can be crucial in a race or ride. The Voom bars are designed to provide quick energy burst during exercise, that’s why they are high in carbohydrates, which are easily digested and absorbed quickly into the bloodstream - this can be good if you are on a 3-hour bike ride or racing, and out in the mountains here in Transylvania.
October 8, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Red Chilli 1 — Red Chilli Bikes
For some time, the team here at Pedalnorth have been looking for key brands to work in partnership with to promote cycling. Our editorial team has a wealth of talented writers and athletes, many of who still compete across Europe, the USA and elsewhere. It is important for us that the brands we work closely with share our ethos of excellence and independence in cycling and in life.
September 25, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Voom 3 min — Voom Hydration Powder
The Voom electrolyte mix aims to match what we sweat out, to replace those lost salts and to prevent cramp. A hypotonic drink with a small amount of glucose as ‘co-transport’ means faster hydration is possible when consuming both electrolytes and glucose rather than water and electrolytes or water alone. Simply drinking plain water won’t do what you need. Yes, it replaces fluid, but not the vital electrolytes.
July 28, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Wild Cherry mtb and mountains — Magura Town and the Mountains
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 🙂
July 12, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisas bike at Magura Peak — Magura Peak Romania MTB
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 🙂
June 29, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

E97FA1DD-D829-45FA-A738-1941127DA65C — Around Fertainu Peak – Romania
Take a trip with Larisa Chinces, into the beautiful forested hills and mountains in the west of Romania
June 9, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Transgarafasan — Romania 5 Top Cycling Climbs
There are places in the world that are not only still relatively undiscovered, but that also have road cycling climbs that rank alongside any cycling climbs in the world - welcome to Romania cycling, or to be precise - it's time to be transfixed by Transylvania!
June 7, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Feedback Omnium — Feedback Omnium Trainer Review
Stuck for trainer options due to space? This well engineered trainer from Feedback combines the best aspects of rollers & fixed trainer
May 24, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Ale L10044019_1_COLOR-BLOCK_turchese_MD2436B-1-min — Alé Ladies Colour block winter jersey
Alé from the Italian city of Verona understand simplicity; it’s in their dna and their new winter Colour Block thermal jersey is testament to their style
March 13, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Ale glove love — Ale Winter Cycling Gloves
Here’s the deal people: “It’s not over until it’s over!” Yes, the cold winds of winter will stay for a while yet, especially in the high passes and hill areas. Thankfully Alé make great cold weather gloves
March 12, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Ale shoe covers 1-min — Ale Klimatik Winter Overshoes
Cycle overshoes are simple really: they need to be waterproof, strong and stretchy, with excellent fastenings that don’t come apart
March 12, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Ale winter tights and gloves-min — Alé Klimatik Winter Bib tights
Good quality cycling gear is important to me, both for performance and for style. Transylvania requires hard cycling, especially in winter and I like to challenge myself. I also like my bib tights to fit well and yes, to show off my athleticism
March 12, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Ale base layer and vest and bibs-min — ALÉ Ladies Thermo Cycling Vest
This ALÉ ladies cycling vest or gilet sits alongside other jerseys from their range, but is just at home on a warmer day in early spring, with the long sleeved seamless baselayer as its partner.
March 12, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Ale Lara blue girl jacket — Alé Future Nordik Ladies Jacket
The Alé Future Nordik Lady jacket is a superb winter garment, and extremely useful for other cold days in the hills.
March 12, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Ale base layer-min — ALÉ Ladies Seamless Wool Baselayer
Base layers have become more popular. It’s not simply about keeping you warm, as the latest garments also manage moisture and have lots of other technical features.
February 9, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa in the woods 2019 — Larisa forest rides gallery
I had a great time riding the trails at Dalby and Whinlatter. Here's a few images of the trips

Larisa at Dixons Hollow at Dalby Forest — Forests and Mountains
For me, Whinlatter was like a playground. I had so much fun on the muddy and rocky trails and riding straight into puddles. The Orange Four bike made it easier for me to enjoy the trails.
October 17, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa gloves at Deer Park — Cycology Jersey Range
In the main, cycle jerseys are much of a muchness, as the saying goes. However, once you get into the detail, that’s where you discover the Cycology differences.

Larisa at Birdcage — London by Bike
We are at Liverpool Street in the City of London, deciding to rent bikes and start exploring and there is so much to see.
August 7, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

RideHard_Tour_de_Balaton_2018-day1-RIKA8217L-min — Hungary Bikecation 2018
Images from my bikecation cycling trip with fellow cycling journalists, to Lake Balaton in 2018

Larisa Ale Jersey — ALÉ Sunset Kit for summer
ALÉ Cycling is famous for its high quality Italian material and a variety of colours and prints. This spring I had the chance to review the new summer 2019 Sunset cycling kit from ALÉ
May 26, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Ladies cycling jersey — Sibiu and its Parks
This is a superb evening or morning ride around the outskirts of the historic city of Sibiu, home to Larisa, taking in the beautiful city park.

Hungary part 3 Eda Lara Robert Beer — Touring Lake Balaton Part 3
So it is our last day cycling, and I was both excited and sad at the same time. We had all become great friends during our tour, led by Tamas, with Peter and Laszlo keeping us supplied with water, coke and lots and lots of humour.
March 15, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Hungary Balaton part 2 1 — Touring Lake Balaton Part 2
Setting off from our hotel with a larger peloton, today was to be a day of twisting roads, climbing and history, as we took a long flat road towards the rising countryside
March 15, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Hungary Balaton 2018 3 — Touring Lake Balaton Part 1
Arriving at the airport, the first thing I saw was a large sign saying #helloHungary. Speaking to Tamas, this is a drive by Hungary to promote tourism, of which cycling is a key part.
March 15, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Ride Skincare feature — Ride Skincare for Cyclists
As cycoists, our skin pays the price for our passion. We need to look after the skin as much as we look after the bike to keep our skin healthy and looking its best. After all, we're worth it!
March 14, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Kask 400 — Kask Mojito Cycling Helmet
When a cycling helmet becomes a popular choice within our own writing team, it has to be good. The Kask Mojito is that helmet of choice for many of our riders, giving that necessary performance and style that cyclists across all genres require.
March 12, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Pirelli small — Pirelli P Zero Road Tyre
Pirelli is dedicated to making a wide range of high quality and technologically advanced tires, to meet the needs of the modern cycling community - and they have some heritage.

Larisa Refined bibs — Refined Roadwear Ladies Pro Cycling Bibs
We all need good shorts when cycling’ it’s vital if you don’t want to be rubbing cream in for weeks on end. Yes, good shorts are as vital to cyclists as fish is to a cat! Thankfully, these shorts from Refined Roadwear are the cat’s whiskers – and that’s good!
March 6, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Transfagarasan 2 — G4 Ladies Hipster Bib Shorts
Testing kit here in the mountains near Sibiu in Romania, means that the kit has to be good, and so when the G4 Hipster ladies kit, I was ready to ride.
March 6, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa JLVELO Tribal relaxed — JL Velo Ladies Tribal Bibs
Let’s start as we mean to go on shall we — the JLVelo kits is absolutely wonderful! Due to its colours and design, the kit definitely stands out. In simple terms, it makes me feel pretty and special - and that’s important to us ladies.
March 6, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa winter small image — G4 Ladies Denim Jacket
Cycling during autumn is like being in a fairy tale especially on a mountain-bike. In the forest, multiple colours of the leaves and trees make it really special and enjoyable to ride there. Riding in the G4 cycling kit was the piece that completed the perfect puzzle.

Larisa G4 link image bordered — G4 Ladies Hipster Jersey
As an athlete, the right kit is crucial. It has to perform well, and as a lady … it also has to look stylish too 😉 Testing kit here in the mountains near Sibiu in Romania, means that the kit has to be good

Larisa Intemporal riding 400 x 400 — G4 Intemporel Range for Ladies
I chose the Intemporel kit from G4 dimension for the summer because it’s my favourite. Its simple, elegant and has a great design and choice of colours, and it’s fitted and comfortable.
March 5, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Larisa Bikecation Romania — JL Velo Ladies Tribal Kit
JLVelo kits is absolutely wonderful! Due to its colours and design, the kit definitely stands out. In simple terms, it makes me feel pretty and special - and that’s important to us ladies.
March 4, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Romania and the Transalpina
The Transalpina is one of the most spectacular road climbs in the Carpathian Mountains and should be on every cyclists trip to Transylvania

Larisa racing in Hungary feature image — Cycling around Lake Tisza
After the Balaton Tour in Hungary from 2 weeks ago, the organizer, Tamas Takács from ‘Ride Hard’, invited me to spend a lovely weekend at Lake Tisza. How could I say no! Flights were quickly arranged and off I set, flying via Vienna to Budapest.
January 23, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

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Italy Cycling & Mountain Biking

May 11, 2020/in Bikecation Locations, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European Cycling Routes /by Pedalnorth Website

Cycling & MTB routes and trips in Italy

Italy Cycling & Mountain Biking
Italy has some of the best road cycling routes, mountain passes and mountain bike routes in the world. Let’s go and explore it together.

Italy has a passion for road cycling and tough mountain based cycling routes such as the Italian passes. It’s also a world class venue for mountain biking routes, with awesome trails to test the best.
Read more

Avrig and Fagaras Mountains MTB Route

May 2, 2020/in Bikecation, Bikecation Locations, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European Cycling Routes, European MTB Routes, MTB Routes, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania MTB Routes /by Pedalnorth Website

Avrig near Sibiu, Mountain Bike Route

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

Paltinis Forest MTB Trails

April 29, 2020/in Bikecation, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European MTB Routes, MTB Routes, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania MTB Routes /by Pedalnorth Website

Paltinis Forest Mountain Bike Route

Twisting trails in the trees

Paltinis is a superb mountain resort, close to Sibiu in Transylvania. There are hotel and mountain lodge accommodation options, and the forests here have endless cross country mountain biking trails to explore.

Larisa Chinces at Brasov

Route Information

Stats: 37km and 1400 metres climbing (Medium Route)

Refreshments & Where to Stay: Paltinis is a small mountain resort with good but limited facilities. Nearby Sibiu is a superb base for the mountains, and has all options for accommodation and places to eat and relax.

Character

This area is wild and beautiful, with natural rugged single and double track trails in the forests. The route is a short journey onto the forest, mixing technical rocky and rooty trails with the wide forest tracks, providing you with some great trail riding.

Route

1. This is a route into mountain forests, so you really do need to follow the gps file to stay safe. There are some technical sections and you need stay on course.

2. Set off into the forest on the trail heading eastwards, riding along the easy to follow trail for 3.2km, where a track on the right should be taken into the trees.

3. The track descends to the 5.6km point, passing and ignoring a track junction on the left at 6.1km, as the trails swings right. It eventually meets old buildings in a clearing at a high point – 9.4km, near Varful Oncesti (on maps).

4. A sharp swing around left (hairpin style) at 10km, leads to a T-junction of tracks at 11.4km – turn left onto the wide track marked Trancindrel, staying on this track until 13.6km, then taking the right forking trail, until 16.6km where a track descends and swings around the hillside back towards the Trans Cindrel at 19.6 (go left).

5. At 21.9km take the rising track that swings left, staying on the Trans Cindrel, which passes by our earlier tracks from the ride out and start to descend after 24km.

6. At 33.7km a track off to the right in the trees, climbs back up to Paltinis and the finish.

Click below to download GPX file

Brasov South West Hills Short MTB

April 28, 2020/in Bikecation, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European MTB Routes, MTB Routes, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania MTB Routes /by Pedalnorth Website

Brasov SW Hills Short Mountain Bike Route

Larisa Chinces at Brasov

Ladies long sleeve cycling jersey by Cycology

Route Information

Stats: 28.6km and 995 metres climbing (Medium Route)

Refreshments & Where to Stay: Brasov is excellent for all of your needs, and you can book a great place to stay and enjoy the superb trails nearby. It’s a great short mountain bike route, taking in local hills, and you’re never far from villages.

Character

This area is wild and beautiful, with natural rugged single and double track trails in the forests. The route is a short journey onto the hills around Brasov, with some good twisting fun trail riding.

Route

1. This is a route into mountain forests, so you really do need to follow the gps file to stay safe. There are some technical sections and you need stay on course.

2. Climb out of Brasov, taking trails to the right of the DN1E road, towards the equestrian (riding) centre at Spiritul Calor. Then take the trail beneath Braniste as it skirts the edge of the trees.

3. You reach a small group of houses/ lodges at 13km, where the trail then thens left and flows towards the gravel road Strada Vanatorului and continues to the DN1E again.

4. Turn right and after only 300metres take the track on the left into the forests – Drumul Vechi Poienii. This twists and turns as it descends to the 19.4km point, eases off for a short distance, then climbing again steeply to the 22km point just below Stechil summit.

5. Turn down left here and descend all the back to Brasov for 5.5km. Time now for cake and coffee.

Click below to download GPX file

Brasov Hills Short MTB

April 28, 2020/in Bikecation, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European MTB Routes, MTB Routes, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania MTB Routes /by Pedalnorth Website

Brasov Hills Short Mountain Bike Route

Photo by Bogdan Lapadus on Unsplash

Route Information

Stats: 30km and 1519 metres climbing (Medium Route)

Character

This area is wild and beautiful, with natural rugged forest single track trails in the forests. The route takes in tracks that roll and climb with some technical sections, but lots of speed, close to historic Brasov.

Route

1. This is a route into mountain forests, so you really do need to follow the gps file to stay safe. There are some technical sections and you need stay on course.

2. Head out of Brasov on the road, before joining a track on the right after 3.6km. This climbs through trees to the village of Poiana Brasov, where you drop left onto Strada Poiana lui Stechil, taking the track at the end and on the right.

3. Stay on this track until the high point at 11.9km, before descending into the trees in the direction back towards Brasov, passing by some exceptional viewpoints along the way.

4. At the 16km point, the track swings left and continues to descent through tress along the ridgeline, twisting its way downwards.

5. At 18km, just below the summit of Stechil, the tracks twists and descends more steeply for just over 3km, taking you to the edge of the city. You can now either ride into Brasov, or take a few extra kilimetres , riding to the high point of the wooded park just south of the city edges, before dropping down back into Brasov for cake and coffee.

Click below to download GPX file

Busteni and Omu Peak MTB

April 27, 2020/in Bikecation, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European MTB Routes, MTB Routes, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania MTB Routes /by Pedalnorth Website

Busteni & Omu Peak Mountain Bike Route

Photo by Adi Ulici on Unsplash

Route Information

Stats: 26km and 1038 metres climbing (Hard Route)

Refreshments & Where to Stay: Busteni is a good mountain resort for facilities, and nearby Brasov is excellent for all of your needs, and you can book a great place to stay and enjoy the superb trails nearby. It’s a tough mountain route, so please take sufficient drink and snacks with you, although mountain cabins will have options, they are limited.

Character

This area is wild and beautiful, with natural rugged forest single track trails in the forests. The route is suggested with a gondola start to make the most of the rolling trails and to really enjoy the steepand technical descending.

Route

1. This is a route into mountain forests, so you really do need to follow the gps file to stay safe. There are some technical sections and you need stay on course.

2. Take the Gondola from Busteni to the Bucegi mountain tops and then pick up the trail signed to Omu Peak. After a short distance you will see the best known rock formations on the Bucegi Plateau: the Babele and the Sphinx. These megaliths are modeled mainly by wind erosion. The Sphinx, named after its shape that resembles a man’s head, is 8 meters high and 12 meters wide.

3. The rough but wide track road continues about 2 km and at the mid-distance, it goes by the Salvamont Centre Busteni. You leave this road that goes to the Costila Relay and continue on the large path, marked with yellow line, road that goes on a level curve.

4. In a short time you will arrive at the Cerdac, the place where the path splits in two. On the left, the winter trail goes up and the summer trail continues straight ahead. The summer path is exposed and narrow, under the path there is the Valea Cerbului Steep. The track is rocky and tough and care should taken, but at the 5.8km point, you will reach the Omu Hut.

5. From the Omu Chalet you follow the red line marking, on the old road of the frontier guards, the former frontier path between the Transylvania and the Vechiul Regat. The next few km, towards the Strunga Saddle, the trail is rough and less frequented by tourists, but has excellent sections of technical mountain singletrack as it drops down to a track junction at 11.8km.

6. Climb back towards the gondola station above Busteni, but this time, then take the track right, along the edge, to the 17.6km point, turning down towards the Piatra Arsa Cabin, passing this and continuing down passing the Cantonul Jepi cabin too.

7. At the 20km point, the track steepens and becomes technical at times as you enter the forests again and weave your way down the mountain back to Busteni on techinal forest tracks. There are track junctions that can take you towards the water cascade, but avoiding this track will help to avoid the tourists on foot.

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