Romania.

[pontnus]

Hello everybody!

This coming summer its time again for a new bike trip, this time it will be Romania. First time in Romania, will be going down from Sweden through Poland, Slovakia, hungary and then enter Romania and heading for the coast. Any POI thats its a must in Romania, dont really know so much about the country, yet.
How is the road condition, im driving a BMW r1100rt..

Cheers

[gavinbell]

Hi,
Roads are improving all the time - some of the back roads are interesting but perfectly accessible with an rt.
Places to visit - Maramures in the north - include Sapanta (the merry cemetery). Saxon Transylvania - Sighisoara and the Saxon Villages (Viscri), Brasov ( I live just outside) , Trans Fagarasian Highway , Trans Alpina
Castles - Corvina Castle (Huneadoara - used in lots of movies), the real Dracula/Vlad castle - Cetatea Poenari on south of transfag (1480 steps up to it!) , Bran ( not anything to do with Dracula - but ok - in fact the guides are having english lessons in my kitchen at this moment!).
The Black sea coast in Romania is actually crap...

Hope that is useful ....

Gavin

[bratfred]

Originally Posted by gavinbell

The Black sea coast in Romania is actually crap...



Gavin

Absolutely true, but if you are around it's worth to see the Danube delta.

[PanEuropean]

Have a look at this post that I wrote about a trip I made through Romania a few years ago, it might answer some of your questions.

Notes from a September 2011 ride through Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Greece

It's generally a pleasant country. Just keep your wits about you in the larger cities, that's all.

[pontnus]

Thanks for the info.
How is the saftey for the bikes? is it necessery to have saftey parking during the nigths?

[gavinbell]

Safety - as with anywhere - it is always good to ensure your bike is safe. Most small guesthouses have courtyards - so simply park in there. Hotels have guarded parking.
Heard more bad tales for Hungary and Poland than Romania. In Hungary - BIKERCAMP Camping in the center of BUDAPEST. - close to centre of Budapest. Magyar Route 66 stayed here once - entertaining night as the Hungarian women's bike club turned up ! Fun in the pool with a bunch of scary ladies!
For Romania - when you have a rough plan of a route - give me a shout and can recommend a few places. Though these days Booking.com is pretty good for finding cheap hotels.

[pontnus]

Absolutley, will do that Gavin when i got the rough plan.

[PanEuropean]

Originally Posted by pontnus

How is the safety for the bikes? is it necessary to have safety parking during the nights?

I stayed at hotels all the time. My choice of hotels varies all the way from little guest-houses in small towns to 5 star palaces in the big cities. I was satisfied to just park the bike on the hotel property, usually close to the front door of the hotel. At smaller places, I'd park it around back, out of sight of the main roadway.

I paid attention to where I parked the bike - in other words, I took a few moments to think carefully about where the safest parking spot would be, and often asked permission to park it near the front door - but beyond doing that, I didn't worry too much.

Michael

[gavinbell]

Originally Posted by PanEuropean

I stayed at hotels all the time. My choice of hotels varies all the way from little guest-houses in small towns to 5 star palaces in the big cities. I was satisfied to just park the bike on the hotel property, usually close to the front door of the hotel. At smaller places, I'd park it around back, out of sight of the main roadway.

I paid attention to where I parked the bike - in other words, I took a few moments to think carefully about where the safest parking spot would be, and often asked permission to park it near the front door - but beyond doing that, I didn't worry too much.

Michael

A little care - don't be paranoid - its not the UK!

[pontnus]

Ok.

[twenty4seven]

Drove the Transfagarasan today, well worth doing IMO it's an experience and driving in Romania is far easier than many other places.

[moggy 1968]

this might be a good place to start

Le tour de la ROUMANIE

I did the transfag a couple of years ago in a tranny van supporting a group of bikers, the southern end is a really bad surface, but it becomes much better.

we also did the Stelvio and numerous other Alpine passes on the way, but everyone agreed, the transfag was the best. Stelvio is crap for bikes, too tight on the turns. transfag has wonderful sweeping curves

[chris gale]

Bloody hell , it didnt look like that when i rode it Still i couldnt see alot mostly due to the coaches , heavy rain and mist .

Mind you the road out of Cluj heading to Sigasouira(?) more then made up for it

[Lonesome George]

It's interesting how we all experience things differently isn't it. I did the Transfag last week and thought it was wonderful. The road was in good condition, except for the last 10-20 miles or so which had a few potholes and bumps but the actual mountain pass bit was wonderful.

Generally I'd say the driving was OKAY. Yes a few nutter pass on blind bends but not many.Almost all the roads are good - bumpy because of the repaired holes but at least they are repaired.

And I've been most impressed with what I've seen in this wonderful country. Romania is fantastic. Ignor the stories of terrible driving, poor roads, thieves, whatever you've heard or read in the Daily Mail. Romania is fantastic. I bumped into another UK biker in Sighisoara today. Only the second one I've seen and we agreed, this is a wonderful county.

More on my trip at The Dom way round

[Snakeboy]

Rode the Transfargasan rd last saturday. It was an extremely busy day on the road as half of Romanias population seemed to be there up in the mountains that particular day. But the road itself and the experience was nice enough although it was a mistakevto do it on a weekend day in August.

About Romania I agree very much with last speaker. Its a beautiful country, easy ttravel in. Cheap and good accomodation all over, beautiful scenery, mostly nice people and I enjoyed my days in Romania a lot....