TRANSFĂGĂRĂȘAN CHALLENGE
by Larisa Chinces & Robert Thorpe
The beautiful region of Sibiu, Transylvania, Romania is holding a cycling event – and it’s an event that will wake up the world of cycling for amateur riders everywhere. It’s called the TRANSFAGARASAN CHALLENGE, and it’s a new competition, specially designed for amateur riders, which will be a part of the Sibiu Cycling Tour competition.
The challenge will take place on the 5th of July 2021 and then annually, and it will be a pre-race event opening for the pros stage of the Sibiu Tour pro competition. The first edition of the Transfagarasan Challenge is expected to be one of the toughest amateur cycling races in Romania, if not one of the toughest in Europe. However, the participants will get the chance to enjoy riding on one of the most exciting roads in the world. Yes, this is the road that Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear described as ‘the best road in the world.’
The Transfagarasan mountain road was built in the 1970s by the communist regime of Romania, serving the purpose of a strategic defense and military route. It connects the historic regions of Wallachia and Transylvania and is 91 km long of beautiful winding mountain road, reaching a peak altitude of 2.042m. Nowadays, the Transfagara?an is a popular tourist attraction, offering spectacular views during the summertime and unforgettable alpine experiences in winter. The road passes close to the most important peaks of the Fagaras mountains, the highest mountain range of the Romanian Carpathians. It’s a literal dream of a road, with a ribbon of tarmac winding to the spectacular summit.
Our own Larisa Chinces has ridden the road so many times, reaching the awesome descending speed of 88 kph in one particular race!
“ I can’t describe the feeling when I’m cycling on this road, it’s something special and unique. When you are there you get amazed by the landscape and the more you climb, the tougher it gets, but it’s worth every pedal! The effort to pedal this road is really a challenge, more like a challenge with yourself. After many tough and steep turns, comes the finishline and you will arrive at Ba^lea Lake, a superb glacier Lake at 2034 m altitude. It is possible that you will still find some snow on top even if it’s summer. So believe in yourself and accept the challenge!! “
You too can ride this spectacular road on the 5th July this year; and while you’re here in Transylvania, why not enjoy the spectacular history in the World Heritage historic city of Sibiu, or ride even more awesome roads. Yes, get ready to admire a spectacular mountain scenery with bald peaks, glacial lakes, stunning valleys, rapid falls and breathtaking heights.
The competition is open to all those who want to test their limits, but also to those who just want to feel the adrenaline of a real contest. Undoubtedly, Transfagarasan Challenge will offer everyone the experience of a professional race, and also a once in a lifetime experience for cyclists from other countries. It’s an event where all amateur cyclists and cycling sports clubs are invited to enter, to the to ride the 30km of the Transfagarasan Challenge, starting from Albota and ending at Bâlea Lac, on the most iconic and stunning road in Romania.
All that you need to do is to click below and enter – and to ride the road that Larisa loves, in the beautiful Romanian mountains.