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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 13 Jun 2017
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5 days in Romania
Hello all,

My wife and I are planning on spending 5 days in Romania in the beginning of July, with one day in Bucharest, leaving 4 days to motorcycle. I've mapped out a vague route here - any comments/suggestions would be most welcome! I also have a few specific questions is anyone can help:


1)Google maps wouldn't let me go straight from Balea Lake to Sibui (hence the map looking a bit weird). I hope that's a bug and not that the road is unpassable?

2) How cold should I expect to be in the mountains early July?

3) How hard is the Transfagarasan Pass? We're up for a challenge, but hopefully don't want to feel wiped out by the end.

4) Has anyone rented bikes in Bucharest before? Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Bu...45.7983273!3e0
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  #2  
Old 13 Jun 2017
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The Transfagarasan is not very difficult at all. The traffic is almost all tourists, the road quality is very good. I stayed at the Hotel Siesta overnight, just south of the pass, it was comfy and affordable.

The "bug" seems to be because the road is closed until June 30th, so right now Google won't let you route through it.

I did the Transfagarasan in September and it was nice and warm; in early July, just after opening, the road will be clear but there may still be snow in the fields around you. Bring warm gear like multilayer textiles, drink hot tea at gas stations, and you'll be fine.

Brasov is awesome. Bran Castle is worth stopping at. Consider extending your trip to Cluj - I know there are possibilities to rent bikes there, maybe you can do a one-way trip? Cluj and the Turda salt mine south of it were two definite highlights for me.

There are plenty of great roads besides the Transfagarasan and (more difficult but still very much doable) Transalpine. I absolutely loved Route 58 through Semenic-Cheile National Park.
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  #3  
Old 13 Jun 2017
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That's awesome, thanks very much.

I had a quick look at flights back to the UK from Cluj, but there aren't any direct and they are more expensive so think i'll stick to the original plan.

Any highlights on the road from Sibiu back to Bucharest?
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  #4  
Old 13 Jun 2017
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I had a loop starting and ending in Cluj, then took the train from Cluj to Brasov and later from there to Bucharest, so I don't really know what's on that road. But if you're not stopping at Brasov on your way out - only dropping in to Bran Castle - it's definitely worth a look. Other than that, the road due south from Sibiu looks promisingly twisty, with a national park in the middle, and you end up on an E-road for the last blast to the city. Trust me, after a few days of Romanian rural traffic, you will be very happy to see a dual carriageway.
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  #5  
Old 22 Jun 2017
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Hi,

Hope you'll have fun on your trip in Romania.
For renting bikes in Bucharest you can try www.motorentals.ro | Motorcycle Tours and Rentals I haven't rented a from them, but from what I remember they've been in the market for a long time.
On the Transfagarasan a 1000 ton rock has fallen at the side of the road and some other rocks above it are standing to fall. Due to this the road may be closed, I don't know for sure, but check before going as things move slowly here...
You might want to get back from Sibiu to Bucharest on the Transalpina road. It almost as beautiful as the Transfagarasan. It is opened this time of year and the road was cleared of snow or other obstacles.
This is a map of Transalpina: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...9200000004&z=9

Have fun!
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  #6  
Old 28 Jun 2017
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Transfagarasan is open but the surface of road is party pretty bad. Not much traffic if go early in the morning and the temperature is bit easier also. Today was hot over 30 degrees.
On Transalpina be careful. Cows, mules, dogs and a lot of stuff like rocks and loose gravel on the road. That was yesterday.
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