Cycle Romania

Most Inspirational Moment

Enjoyed comradery of the group with peloton biking with some charges up the taller hills

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christina Cucu- tremendous leader and fun to spend time. Very contentious for the needs of the group. Everyone had a great time with many smiles to share!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sign up for this trip!!

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole area of Transylvania is inspirational and there were many individual stories that were shared with us of people striving to keep traditions going. It was also brilliant to be part of a great group of fellow cyclists who provided a huge amount of inspiration and support.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cristina was very positive throughout the week and along with Radu provided lots of information about the culture and the history of the areas we visited.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A few things: Take what you need for the 1st day's cycle in your hand luggage on the plane, if you can. My luggage was delayed as left by the airline at Warsaw from the connecting flight. Food is good and largely what the locals eat, so don't expect "posh food". Lots of variety though, not just pork and beef - we had chicken a few times, beef, pork and trout. As the notes say - get Romanian Lei at the airport - either with your cash (just before arrivals) or from an ATM with a debit card. As most meals are provided in the villages, you wont need much though except for extras (e.g. beer, wine) There are hills on this trip but most are the "long and steady gradient" type so most cyclists will be able to manage them. There are one or two steep hills but don't worry about getting off and pushing your bike if hills are not your thing! The bikes are ok, but seem a bit old so don't expect the quality of the bike you have at home. I found the gear changes were not as responsive as I am used to on my own bike.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely superb. Could not be better - friendly, helpful, informative, knowledgeable, personable

Advice for Potential Travellers

As above - highly recommended if you know what you are getting

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting various Saxon villages and seeing fortified churches

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowlegeable and supportive

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the cows come home in Viscri :) Gave new/true meaning to an expression I've used for so long without giving any real thought to.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Radu and Vlad (plus Tudor!) were wonderful and humored me throughout the week. Safety was always the number one priority—which was great since I can be a little reckless at times so it was good having Radu keep me in check! They were all so good about answering my neverending questions (make sure you test Radu's knowledge of Romanian history!) and really worked to provide a great experience!

Advice for Potential Travellers

None of the guesthouse rooms I stayed in had A/C, which was perfectly fine for me since I'm always cold, but for anyone who tends to run hot and is doing this trip in the summer months may want to keep this in mind and come prepared with ways to keep yourself cool. Also, please don't beat my QOM on Strava :)

Most Inspirational Moment

No one moment, just enjoyed the beautiful landscapes, learning about the history and culture, fab company and good wine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We couldn’t have asked for better than Cristina, with Vlad in support. We had such fun, a great insight to Romanian life and we were so well looked after.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You’ll love it! We had very hot weather, but I know it can be variable in that region so be prepared for anything. Most meals are covered so you don’t need huge amounts of cash.

Most Inspirational Moment

Farm Visit and just the relaxation of the holiday

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christina and Radu

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling on the quieter lanes through the countryside.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christina and Radu were both brilliant, they were a key part of making the trip exceptional. Christina cycled with us and organised the cultural visits, her knowledge was excellent, she was super patient, always enthusiastic, and the perfect host. Radu drove the van and gave technical support, again very knowledgeable and interesting on the more recent romanian history. Again always sociable and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are on a push bike do get fit. Take your own toe clips/cycling pedal straps as the bikes don't have any sort of toe clips. Easier than taking your own pedals which is fine if you can be bothered but for the type of cycling I think pedal straps would be useful. Take your own water bottle.

Suggestions

The pillows in a couple of locations were poor, which was a shame as the mattresses were good, but for some reason pillows are not good. If the are slightly quieter roads that could be incorporated especially in the first two days that would be good. Bikes were OK but not brilliant, although to be fair to Romania Active they did say this was their last year before they are replaced, but they do need upgrading. We did an Exodus trip Seville to Cadiz were the bikes were excellent so it is possible. The food was always excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

No one stand out moment, but lots of nice memories - The wonderful City of Brasov, with its beautiful buildings, large open square and cafe culture (A great place for a short weekend break). Lunchtime picnic in the woods overlooking huge meadow, a horse and cart ride through the countryside to one of the fortified churches.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tudor was very hard working and nothing was too much trouble - good local knowledge. Sometimes a bit irritable with the group when we didn't quite take on board instructions (did talk for quite extended periods of time which meant we sometimes lost the thread a bit!) Radu the support leader was fantastic, excellent English, great company, also hard working and knowledgeable

Advice for Potential Travellers

We had been told than places took Euros as an alternative to local currency but this was not the case. Cards not always accepted in rural areas, we needed many more Lei than we expected

Most Inspirational Moment

I'm split, so here are two: - Hearing cuckoos every day while cycling. I used to hear them at home as a boy - that doesn't happen now in southern England but it does in Transylvania at least in May! - Seeing the cows come home in Viscri. There we were, enjoying our food and wine at dinner, and our host says 'the cows are coming home'. Out we rush...what a surprise! Enjoy!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tudor is excellent, he's a very experienced guide, with super local knowledge, a nice friendly style and good focus on a safe trip. He made our last day - we chose not to visit Bran Castle and instead to go to Peles Castle but via Brasov. That was a super addition on his part. We'd been in villages and small towns. To visit a 'Saxon' city was great. The Black Church and the main square were both wonderful. Thank you Tudor. Our driver Lucien was great too and added to the vitality of our small group (post Covid and with war in Ukraine, we were six + guide and driver. There were no Covid issues or disruption. The Romanians have taken in many Ukrainian refugees and two families were staying at the church in Vulcan.)

Advice for Potential Travellers

The accommodation isn't in standard hotels - it's a mix of small hotels and guesthouses. There's something to like about every place but also the odd thing that isn't ideal but it all adds to the special nature of the trip. In a couple of guesthouses we shared a bathroom with another trip member and that worked fine. In Vulcan the room was a bit basic but the evening welcome from the priest was fab and, after a couple of glasses of welcoming schnaps, it didn't matter!

Suggestions

Romania is really interesting and on the up. We stayed a few extra days so we could see a bit more of Bucharest and then went north to see the painted monasteries and to visit Moldova.