Scrub Tibet - Hello Dracula

[Cousin Jack]

Some time ago I was wittering about Tibet as a possible 2025 destination. Scrub that (too cold, too high, probably too much for me) and substitute Romania, the land of Dracula and Vlad the Impaler. 9 counties for 3 weeks in July next year

Booked, deposit paid, and due in Folkestone for the off on July 5 2025.

More info in due course.

[weeksy]

Deffo a place that would be of interest to me for sure. Look forward to it

[KungFooBob]

I think Trinity and Sunny have done similar. I quite fancy a trip to the black sea on the bike, taking in the Transfăgărășan highway along the way.

I've been to Cluj a couple of time in a previous job and always found the Romanians alright.

[Trinity765]

I think Trinity and Sunny have done similar. I quite fancy a trip to the black sea on the bike, taking in the Transfăgărășan highway along the way.

I've been to Cluj a couple of time in a previous job and always found the Romanians alright.

Yup. Did two fly drives there this year. I'll be riding there myself next year, leaving in August, back late September and I'll be hosting 2 fly drives trips for a club while I'm there.

It's a beautiful country, well worth exploring and I found the Romanians very welcoming with a great sense of humour.

[Sunny]

I think Trinity and Sunny have done similar. I quite fancy a trip to the black sea on the bike, taking in the Transfăgărășan highway along the way.

I've been to Cluj a couple of time in a previous job and always found the Romanians alright.

Yep - another thumbs up for Romania here I really liked the place. Great roads, great road surfaces, great scenery, decent food, decent wine, cheap prices.

It's obviously a vast country, so I only saw a small part of it, but based on my experience I'd highly recommend it!

The Transfăgărășan/Transfargarian pass was spectacular (mind the bears!), and I know Trinity did another brand-new pass this year too that sounded pretty awesome.

<Edit> I didn't go to the Romanian Black Sea coast, but did the Bulgarian version (just underneath Romania for the geographically challenged), and worth being aware the entire population of the country flocks to the coast in the summer, so it can get very busy, and very Magalfuff-like. Saying that, the nice old towns were still nice

[Cousin Jack]

Itinerary A couple of long days, and 4 days when riding is optional. Plus a long day before and after (Cornwall to Folkestone). Labeled as Romania but we actually cover 9 countries, including 5 ones that I have never ridden in before. (Romania, Hungary, Poland, Czechia and Slovakia) This will be a well-travelled Honda 500 by the time I hang up my boots.

Day 1 200 Miles
Eurotunnel to Calais and then on to the Champagne region via a disused GP track.

Day 2 216 Miles
Reims to Baden-Baden (Germany).

Day 3 221 Miles
Baden-Baden to Oberammergau via the B500.

Day 4 137 Miles
Oberammergau to Hinterglemm (Austria).

Day 5 Explore Day / Rideout Day
A selection of rideouts including Hitler’s Eagles Nest retreat, Ice caves, Grossglockner high alpine road.

Day 6 310 Miles
Hinterglemm to Veszprem (Hungary).

Day 7 219 Miles
Veszprem to Timisoara (Romania).

Day 8 165 miles
Timisoara to Alba luila with its amazing star shaped citadel.

Day 9 154 Miles
Alba lulia to Baile Govora via the trans alpina highway (the 'Devil's Path').

Day 10 175 Miles
Baile Govora to Brasov (Transfagarasan Highway)

Day 11 Explore Day / Rideout Day
Day to explore Medieval Brasov or choice of ride-outs

Day 12 165 Miles
Brasov to Turda via the birthplace of Vlad Dracul.

Day 13 160 Miles
Turda to Oradea via a Romanian bikers favourite road.

Day 14 160 Miles
Oradea to Budapest via mountain roads (Hungary).

Day 15 Explore Day
Day to explore Budapest.

Day 16 240 Miles
Budapest through Slovakia via the inspiration for Dracula's castle to Krakow (Poland).

Day 17 Explore Day
Day to explore Krakow, or excursions, salt mine cathedral, Auschwitz.

Day 18 235 Miles
Krakow to Hradec Kralove, (Czech Republic).

Day 19 214 Miles
Hradec Králové to Bavaria via National forest parks(Germany).

Day 20 214 Miles
Bavaria to Llhanstein.

Day 21 320 Miles
Lahnstein to Calais via Nurburgring & Eurotunnel home.

[KungFooBob]

I hadn't clocked in the first post that it was a three week trip!

Oh, to be retired!

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

That looks good, no high mileage days, is it like a guided route sort of thing or do you find your own way between hotels?

[Cousin Jack]

Guided, but everyone has a sat nav route. Most people end up riding in 2s and 3s with people of a similar speed. Usually we all stop in the same places for coffee and lunch at roughly the same time. Sometimes people go off-piste to explore somewhere, it is all very laid back, but with the guide as a back up.

[Sunny]

That sounds proper epic! I'm jealous already

[Dodgy69]

Not sure what all the roads are like, but they'll be long enough days in the saddle for sure. Looks a great trip.

[MyLittleStudPony]

I think Trinity and Sunny have done similar. I quite fancy a trip to the black sea on the bike, taking in the Transfăgărășan highway along the way.

I've been to Cluj a couple of time in a previous job and always found the Romanians alright.

I dun it about 20 years ago, all the way one the bikes, just me and a mate. He could handle himself in a fight in a strip bar, mind.

It got about six or eight pages in one on't big mags. I always fancied Top Gear picked up on the Transfagarasan from that. But it's just a guess.